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Why Families Choose DSST

Choosing the best school for your student is a big decision. We're here to help. 

Are you looking for a small school environment where your student will be more than just a face in the crowd? How about a strong curriculum that will prepare your student for college, career, and life? Learn more about why families choose DSST Public Schools and sign up for a visit below. We can't wait to meet you and your student!

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known and valued

At DSST, students are truly known and valued. Each student is empowered to be themselves.

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stem-focused curriculum

At DSST, students learn from a challenging, STEM-focused curriculum that prepares them for college and the 21st century.

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proven record of success

Since DSST's founding, 100% of students have been accepted to college or post-secondary programs.

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close-knit community

DSST builds community - both at school for our students, staff and families and in the communities we serve.

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6-12 campus model

DSST’s 6-12 campus model ensures a smooth transition to high school after eighth grade and allows students to develop their pathway to success starting in middle school.

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support for all learners

DSST provides learning accommodations to support all students.

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DSST graduates enter college prepared to pursue unlimited professional pathways. Your child will develop a strong foundation in liberal-arts studies while preparing to take advantage of explosive growth in STEM career opportunities. We offer a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and our students’ passing rates are consistently among the highest in Colorado. Each of our schools offers unique course options -- visit our school pages to learn more!

Consistently, from middle school through high school, students complete:

  • 7 years of English language arts
  • 7 years of social studies and history
  • 7 years of arts and electives
  • 7 years of natural science
  • 7 years of secondary math
  • 3 years of Spanish
  • 1 trimester internship
  • 2 trimester Senior Project

Each morning, students and staff come together for Morning Meeting to celebrate community, talk about college, participate in team-building activities, and support each other in a visible and vibrant way.

In addition, every DSST student is part of an Advisory made up of approximately 15 students and one teacher. These close-knit groups foster relationships of caring, encouragement and trust between students and staff. Advisory groups support each other in a smaller group setting, build community and strong lifelong relationships, and ensure every student has a champion.

Every day, DSST students work toward demonstrating values that are essential to lifelong happiness and success — respect, responsibility, integrity, courage, curiosity, and doing your best. Working toward demonstrating shared values helps students further discover the principles that will guide their unique outlook on life.
We prepare every student to get to and through college. Beginning as early as freshman year, we work closely with students and parents to provide individualized and group support to navigate the college-application and selection process. We also provide support around applying for scholarships and financial aid. Most importantly, we stay connected with our graduates throughout their college years.

Yes, we have sports! Each of our schools offers a unique array of competitive sports -- cross country, volleyball, girls and boys basketball, girls and boys soccer, and tennis, to name a few. And because our schools are smaller, more students have the opportunity to play in high school. If we don’t offer a particular sport (such as football), students are supported in playing at other schools.

Visit our school pages to learn more about the athletic opportunities available at each campus!

Our schools, community organizations and parents partner together to offer a wide variety of in-school and after-school activities. Just few examples include Student Leadership Council, Choir, Film Studies, 3D Graphics and Design, Art Techniques and Styles, Guitar, Creative Writing, Slam Poetry and Songwriting.

Visit our school pages to learn more about the activities available at each campus!

Parents are welcome to be involved in their child’s learning in a variety of meaningful ways. Each school offers a parent group that organizes events and programs, and fosters parent volunteering. Our parent groups also provide a forum for families to ask questions and provide feedback, with the ultimate goal of supporting student and school development.

We’re also proud of the ways in which our students demonstrate the core value Responsibility by owning their learning. Among the many benefits of this leadership and accountability is reducing the time families spend keeping track of homework, projects, permission slips, etc. New DSST families enjoy a little extra quality time with their kids, and a little less stress!