Denver Public Schools today announced a new partnership with Colorado Heights University that could lead to a new middle school, and more higher education opportunities.
The CHU campus is already shared with a DPS charter school and a DPS alternative school, but the district will now target the creation of a middle school option at the campus that would alleviate crowding in southwest Denver middle schools. The middle school may open as early as fall of 2012.
Based on district’s demographic predictions, DPS needs to create more than 500 additional middle school seats in the next few years, due to overcrowding at Kepner Middle School and Henry World School.
According to a release from DPS, the partnership may soon allow more additional concurrent enrollment options at CHU for southwest students, new degree programs that would include seamless transition for DPS students, and expanded community engagement and outreach.
“The University stands ready to work with DPS on a broad vision for how we can open this campus to the community in a deep and meaningful way that honors that great tradition of this Denver landmark,” said Ryuichiro “Drew” Iwanami, chairman of the executive committee of the board of trustees at the university.
Planning during the next few months will include outreach for community input.
