“What if classrooms could tell stories?” they might whisper. Denver Public Schools or DPS has a long and rich history. It began well before Colorado even became a state.
In 1859, Owen J. Goldrick established Denver’s first school. It was a private school called Union School. Only thirteen students attended. Other private schools soon opened. They accommodated Denver’s growing population during the Pike’s Peak Gold Rush.
In 1861, the territorial government appointed Goldrick as superintendent in Arapahoe County. This area included Denver at the time. Soon, Denver formed its first two public school districts. District One was on the east side and District Two on the west side. District Two opened Denver’s first public school in a rented log cabin on December 1, 1862. District One followed soon after.
In 1902, the 20th Amendment created the City and County of Denver. It separated Denver from Arapahoe County. By 1903, Denver Public Schools was officially established. All school districts in Denver County merged into Denver Public Schools. Aaron Gove became the first DPS Superintendent.
Margaret Tupper True became president of the Denver School Board from 1906 to 1908. She was one of the first women in such a role in a major city.
Denver Public School teachers went on strike in 1994. They protested classroom size, working conditions, and pay.
In 2015, the Brookings Institution ranked Denver Public Schools first in school choice. This was among large school districts in the United States.
In 2018, Denver Public Schools banned school trips to the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge. This was due to the area’s history of plutonium contamination.
In February 2019, Denver Public Schools teachers went on strike for three days. It was the first strike in the district in 25 years. The teachers demanded higher pay and school funding. They also wanted changes to the compensation structure. The new deal increased base salaries and emphasized teacher training and experience.
In 2020, the school board voted to remove police officers from schools. This decision followed the murder of George Floyd.
Today, Denver Public Schools operates 198 schools. As of October 2024, enrollment totaled over 90,000 students. The student body is diverse. It includes Hispanic, White, Black, Asian, and Native American students.
Denver Public Schools continues to evolve. It strives to provide quality education for all its students. From a small log cabin to a large urban district, Denver Public Schools has a long and impactful story. It remains a vital part of the Denver community.