Cherry Creek high school has gangs? (Denver, Parker: fit in, crime, lawyers) - Colorado (CO) - City-Data Forum

Cupcake77 · 05-29-2010, 08:12 AM

I used to go to Cherry Creek high school, I was talking to my mother in law last night and she tells me Cherry creek high school has a gang problem. I find that hard to believe but I really don't know anyone who goes to school there anymore to ask and I have since moved away, we planning on moving back in the area this year.

She has always hated that school and hates the fact I want my kids to go there some day. How bad is it in the colorado schools now? I know in California it's pretty bad in most the schools, but it always has been.

vegaspilgrim · 05-29-2010, 10:00 AM

Two of the most notorious gangs there, the "80111 gV bloods" and the "Union Street crips" have been terrorizing the local populace for years. I'd steer clear if I were you.

Cupcake77 · 05-29-2010, 10:33 AM

Glad there are no gangs there, because it wil be easy for me and my homies to take over when we get there.

formercalifornian · 05-29-2010, 12:19 PM

I'm not aware of any gang problems at the high school, but a Nov. 2009 murder in a Centennial neighborhood that is a part of CCSD was reportedly gang-related. The victim, a grad student named Andrew Graham, was followed by Denver gang members, who are also suspected of being involved in the 16th Street Mall and LoDo assaults, after exiting the light rail around midnight at the Park Meadows mall. Tragically, he was murdered with a gunshot to the back just a few blocks from home in front of a Willow Creek residence. As far as I know, it was a single event, and the suspected perpetrators are now in custody, although they have yet to be prosecuted. Could that be what has your mother worried about gangs?

the3Ds · 05-29-2010, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cupcake77

I used to go to Cherry Creek high school, I was talking to my mother in law last night and she tells me Cherry creek high school has a gang problem. I find that hard to believe but I really don't know anyone who goes to school there anymore to ask and I have since moved away, we planning on moving back in the area this year.

What's the difference between police-identified gangs and a bunch of stupid kids terrorizing a neighborhood and playing with guns? The result is the same.

Cherry Creek High School has some serious money there but there are also some "poorer" neighborhoods. I am involved with the PTO at my daughter's school and when we attend district-wide meetings with other PTO council members, I hear a lot about Cherry Creek HS. I was of the opinion that the kids attending that school were all rich and their parents were like John Elway...pro athletes, doctors, lawyers, wealthy people. This IS true for some, but not everyone and what I hear most often from parents of kids at the school is that there is a dividing line between the "haves" and the "have nots" that is more obvious at that high school. I imagine that would probably be true.

High School is still the same...groups of kids trying to find friends and survive puberty. You can send your kids to a so-called "drug free" school and they could find the few kids who are pot-heads. Same for the schools labeled as "drug" schools...your kids could steer clear of all of that.

The bottom line for me has been the learning environment, and even if CCHS has "gang" problems, it's still one of the best rated schools and it's in Cherry Creek School District. I wouldn't spend too much time worrying about someone's opinions. Look at the things that CAN be measured...test scores, crime stats, etc. A few kids in "gang apparel" do not make a "gang-infested school".

I imagine it would be a "cold day in hell" when the Cherry Creek High School community would allow their school to go downhill. You've got too much parental involvement and pride in that school for it to truly become an issue. No place is perfect, but I would go ahead with your plans if you want to move to that area and keep an eye on what your kids are doing. It would be the same advice for any place you move. Your kids aren't going to get involved with gangs if you know what they're doing.

the3Ds · 05-29-2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cupcake77

Glad there are no gangs there, because it wil be easy for me and my homies to take over when we get there.

I know (or at least hope) you're joking, but the thing that "gang-infested" areas have in common is the lack of community involvement and neighbors and parents who give a crap.

Cherry Creek parents are heavily involved with their school...they care what their kids are doing, they care what their kids are learning, they show up en masse to every district event and aren't going to sit back and let their school get taken over by gangs.

Hell hath no fury like parents and the best deterrent of gang activity is people paying attention to what kids are doing. You can't cause trouble when your parent's neighbors call them to report that they saw you skipping school and smoking pot on the corner.

Moonwalkr · 05-29-2010, 04:23 PM

The gangs hang out at starbucks and DQ after school by Belleview, I often see them flashing wads of cash like they just finished a drug transaction.

davidv · 05-29-2010, 10:46 PM

Cherry Creek High School does NOT have a gang problem. There may be a few rogue gang member wannabes at the school, but the school does not tolerate kids just hanging out, skipping class, etc. There is not a problem with kids hanging out all day near the school either as the Greenwood Village police would keep "making contact" with those individuals until they left.

While there are some rich families at Cherry Creek, most of the students come from Centennial, and belong to the mid to upper middle class. Many of the kids from the "poorer" areas of Creek's enrollment area (like Glendale), are actually people who move into those areas for a chance to send their kids to Cherry Creek. They are involved with their kids' educations.

How do you fit in at Cherry Creek? You go to class, do your homework, and get good grades. This is a highly competitive academic high school. No gang banger wants to be anywhere near the school because they would be expected to learn and work.

Cupcake77 · 05-30-2010, 08:56 AM

I figured my mother in law was just being an idiot. She always hated Cherry creek and knew I went there, she loves to cut it down. I do want my kids to go to school where I did, but I been away for awhile and wasn't sure if things have changed.

My little kids are only 2 and 3 right now, so it's not an immidate concern but I want to move back in the right district. Unfortunatly I am really liking some of the homes in parker better right now, which would put me outside of Cherry Cheek.

formercalifornian · 05-30-2010, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cupcake77

I figured my mother in law was just being an idiot. She always hated Cherry creek and knew I went there, she loves to cut it down. I do want my kids to go to school where I did, but I been away for awhile and wasn't sure if things have changed.

My little kids are only 2 and 3 right now, so it's not an immidate concern but I want to move back in the right district. Unfortunatly I am really liking some of the homes in parker better right now, which would put me outside of Cherry Cheek.

Before you commit to Douglas County Schools, which serve Parker, take a few minutes to research the district's deficit battle. Right now, they are making lots of changes, including charging for bus service, which has many residents in an uproar. There are also some significant water issues facing the area. Better to know what you're getting into prior to signing the papers!