The Denver Public Schools Podcast

How can families and educators better support the mental well-being of young people?

In this episode of Educa DPS, we explore the realities of teen mental health, the challenges students face every day, and the practical ways adults can help create safe, supportive environments where young people can thrive.

The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including stress, anxiety, trauma, social media, identity, belo...

Behind the smiles, jokes, and social media posts, many students are silently struggling with their mental well-being.

In this episode of Black Voices in Color, student hosts have an honest conversation about stress, anxiety, depression, social media, academic pressure, and the challenges many young people face every day. They share personal experiences, discuss how mental health impacts their lives, and explore the difference betwee...

What role do students and families play in shaping the future of their communities?

In this episode of Educa DPS, we explore the importance of civic engagement, voting, and participating in the democratic process. From understanding how local elections work to learning how young people can get involved before they are eligible to vote, this conversation highlights why every voice matters.

Listeners will also hear abou...

¿Qué papel juegan los estudiantes y las familias en el futuro de sus comunidades?

En este episodio de Educa DPS, exploramos la importancia de la participación cívica, el voto y el involucramiento en el proceso democrático. Desde comprender cómo funcionan las elecciones locales hasta descubrir cómo los jóvenes pueden participar antes de tener la edad suficiente para votar, esta conversación destaca por qué cada voz importa.

Los oyente...

What happens when students are given a seat at the table?

In this episode of Black Voices in Color, student hosts explore the power of student voice, leadership, and advocacy in Denver Public Schools. Through an engaging conversation about leadership development, civic engagement, and educational equity, students discuss how young people can move from identifying challenges to creating meaningful change in their schools and ...

What does it take to achieve greatness on and off the field?

In this special episode of the Marrero Moment, Denver Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero sits down with former Denver Broncos All-Pro safety Justin Simmons for an inspiring conversation about leadership, education, resilience, family, and community impact.

Justin reflects on the lessons that shaped his journey from South Florida to Boston College and ultimately ...

1. CMAS and CoAlt Family Portal Now Open

Colorado Measures of Academic Success, or CMAS, score reports for the 2025–26 school year will be released online through the Colorado Department of education’s Family Portal. 

On Friday, May 29: Initial student performance summaries will be accessible via the Family Portal.By June 15: Final, detailed performance results — including peer comparisons, strengths and areas ...

In this powerful episode of DPS Stories, we sit down with Ken Connelly, a middle school educator at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy, children’s rights advocate, author, and survivor whose journey is unlike anything you’ve heard before.

Ken opens up about surviving childhood abduction, growing up in poverty, dropping out of high school, discovering he was dyslexic at 37 years old, and ultimately becoming an educa...

Go behind the scenes of how Denver Public Schools works in this episode of the DPS 101 Podcast.

In Episode 6, host Nicole Brady sits down with Dr. Adella Arredondo, Executive Director of Family and Community Engagement, or FACE.

FACE oversees a number of critical programs in DPS: from engaging families in their children's education, providing resources like food and ESL classes, fostering school accountability and aca...

Our first story is a reminder that SchoolChoice Round 2 is still open@ 

1. SchoolChoice Round 2 is still open!

If you missed Round 1 of SchoolChoice, changed your mind since Round 1, are new to Denver, or are an ECE-4 applicant who didn’t get matched through Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK), Round 2 is for you!

Unlike Round 1, Round 2 applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis within school admission p...

In this episode of "The Lesson Plan" Dr. Samantha Haviland, DPS Executive Director of Career and College Success and Scott Burke, Director of Higher Education Learning join host Nicole Brady for a graduation season discussion on career and college preparation. Learn how college level and concurrent enrollment courses have led to a record number of DPS students receiving an associates degree while still in high school; how the distr...

Our first story is a big one: Redrawing Our District Equitably: School Boundary and Enrollment Zone Update 

1. Redrawing Our District Equitably: School Boundary and Enrollment Zone Update

All families deserve equitable access to the schools that are the best fit for their students. Denver’s changing population means that DPS must adapt to ensure every student has access to robust programming. The Redrawing Our Distri...

Go behind the scenes of how Denver Public Schools works in this episode of the DPS 101 Podcast.

In Episode 5, host Nicole Brady sits down with Trena, Chief of Operations for Denver Public Schools.

The Office of Operations oversees more than 2,000 employees in DPS departments including Climate and Safety, Transportation, Facilities, Sustainability, Technology Services, Planning, Design & Construction and more!
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1. Uplifting Community Voice: New Collaborative School Committee (CSC) Impact Videos

The  DPS Communications team and the Family & Community Engagement team, also known as FACE, created a series of Collaborative School Committee Impact Videos through interviews with school leaders, teachers, parents, students and community members.

This project provides a first hand look at what it means to serve on a CSC and how it supports...

1. Should Students Have Access to Communication Devices During School Hours?

The DPS Board of Education is finalizing a new policy regarding students having access to communication devices (such as cellphones, headphones, smart watches, etc.) during school hours. As we prepare for implementation in July 2026, we are conducting a survey to understand the DPS community's current sentiment to ensure upcoming communications about this p...

DPS Interim Deputy Superintendent of Operations Chuck Carpenter explains the Milll Levy Override Proposal DPS is considering for the November 2026 ballot.  Listen to learn:
 - What a Mill Levy Override is
 - The Difference Between a Mill Levy Override (MLO) and a Bond
 - How the money can be spent
 - What the impact is on property taxes
 - How the community can provide input on the MLO p...

En este episodio del podcast Educa DPS, conversamos con Yoseline Loya de la Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) para desglosar todo lo que los estudiantes y las familias de DPS necesitan saber sobre la preparación para la vida después de la escuela secundaria.

Desde becas y ayuda financiera hasta visitas universitarias y exploración de carreras, esta conversación gira en torno al acceso, las oportunidades y la toma de decisi...

In this episode of the Educa DPS Podcast, we sit down with Yoseline Loya from the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) to break down everything DPS students and families need to know about preparing for life after high school.

From scholarships and financial aid to college visits and career exploration, this conversation is all about access, opportunity, and making informed decisions. Whether you’re a freshman just gett...

1. A mill levy override is an increase of the previous voter-approved tax rate (mill levy). Join DPS at an upcoming regional meeting to learn about the process and share your thoughts on how to spend the  potential mill levy override by using in an interactive budget tool to allocate funding for YOUR top priorities. Each meeting will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. Food, childcare...