DENVER — The question of where to go to school was answered when Tajahne Hobley found DSST: Stapleton.
"They make sure everybody has the same opportunities no matter your background," Tajahne said.
The original Denver School of Science and Technology has a focus on being an integrated school. Principal Jeff Desserich wants everyone to believe they can succeed.
"Once everyone comes here, they will be held to the highest expectations, provided a great deal of support," Desserich said.
The question of where to go to high school is answered in a report put out by an organization called A+ Colorado. CEO Van Schoales says his second annual report called "The Outliers" looks at student achievement through the lens of demographics.
"Where are the best places for black kids? Where are the best places for white kids? Where are the best places for low-income kids?" Schoales said.
The report shows the answers to all those questions is DSST: Stapleton, according to the latest SAT scores.
"DSST definitely was one of the few schools that for almost every group of kids that we looked at, they did very well," Schoales said.
Desserich says teachers have high expectations of themselves and of the students.
"We are able to help everyone rise to their best performance," Desserich said. "It's hard to work so hard."
Though DSST: Stapleton is a charter school, Desserich says students are selected essentially at random through a lottery system just like most other DPS schools.
"We are not recruiting. We are not creaming off the top. We are working with every student that comes in our doors," Desserich said.
Every student is not an exaggeration. Since 2008, every student who has graduated from DSST: Stapleton has been accepted into a four-year college or university.
Tajahne says it's the culture.
"The teachers are really close with my parents," Tajahne said. "So, like if they know something, they tell my mom. My mom knows. We're all in like one loop."
They are integrated as equals and the results show it.
"I feel like it's a good opportunity for all people not just like black students or low-income students, but like all people,' Tajahne said.
If you want to see the full A+ Colorado Report called "The Outliers", click here: https://bit.ly/2Hi5AYQ
