Relocating to Denver Area and Have Charter School Questions (Lakewood: neighborhoods, school districts)

[Rlkohtz]

Can anyone give me some info on Charter schools in the Denver/South suburbs area? We do not have charter schools in central Illinois. . I am interested in finding one for my 7th grade daughter, who is very musical and artistic. She plays the violin and loves the arts! I think she would excel in a non-traditional learning environment. Input?

Also, my husband will be traveling all over the Denver area for work, so we can base our residence on our school choice.

[2bindenver]

Charter schools are per district. From your post on Trulia, most of the metro area is safe and suburban - like. Enrollment is by lottery, and you should be prepared to provide transportation.
Denver School of the Arts | Denver Public Schools and //www.city-data.com/forum/denve...er-denver.html

Welcome to Colorado.

[Rlkohtz]

Thank you!!! It's all so confusing to me. :/

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

You could check the Denver School District, as well as Jefferson County, Littleton, and Cherry Creek School Districts (which are on the south end of the metro area).

Charter schools vary depending on their focus. Usually they are formed by a group of parents who want something more than or different from what is being offered by the "regular" schools. So you could look through them to see which ones are more focused on the arts and/or music.

I Googled "charter schools Denver" and found about 39 just in the DPS. I noticed that a lot of them were first through eighth grade and some ninth through twelfth.

Just to rough something different in the mix, my husband used to work at a magnet school in the Cherry Creek School District. Very similar to charter schools, but they have even more flexibility with their curriculum.

[Rlkohtz]

Thank you! I am just realizing that charter and magnet are not the same thing. I feel so ignorant! Can you tell me a bit more about magnet schools? I think that's more toward what I am looking for. Any idea how hard it is to get into one?

[brown_dog_us]

It's tough to get into a charter school when you first move here. The applications need to be submitted for the lottery in January for the following school year, so you have to be here in January to get in next year. If there is a spot still open next year then you can enroll, but in reality there are no available spots at the better schools.

It might be better to look for a local school that has a great arts program and then move your child to a charter school if that doesn't work out.

[davidv]

Originally Posted by Rlkohtz

Thank you! I am just realizing that charter and magnet are not the same thing. I feel so ignorant! Can you tell me a bit more about magnet schools? I think that's more toward what I am looking for. Any idea how hard it is to get into one?

A charter school is a school that is conceived, proposed, and run by an organization that is outside of the school district. It can be a group of interested parents or a corporate entity. A charter school receives funding from the school district, but does not get as much per student as district schools do. A charter school often has the freedom to break away from rules and regulations of the district.

A magnet school is a school that has a specific focus for its students (arts, STEM, International Baccalaureate, college prep, etc.), but is run by the district.

Similarities:
- Neither type of school usually has an attendance area; students come from all over. Students typically do not have to live inside of the district in which the school is located.

- Admission is typically by lottery. Preferences are usually given to siblings of current students, but there are few other preferences. For some magnet schools, there may be an audition (Denver School of the Arts) or entrance exam.

Differences:
- Charter schools are run independently according to their charter (hence the name "charter schools"), which is an agreement between the district and the school outlining the purpose and structure of the school. Charter school boards run the gamut from eminently qualified, to politically fragmented, to corrupt. A few charter schools are among the best in the state (Peak to Peak, BVSD), some are failing (many are alternative schools, but some are not), a couple have had disastrous scandals. Some are also very nepotistic. Many run into financial problems.

Magnet schools are created to attract a certain segment of students (magnets attract, get it?) for a specific program. Some magnet schools have a whole-school focus (DSA, DSST, D'Evelyn) while others are just programs within a larger school (IB programs at GWHS, Lakewood HS, and Smoky Hill HS). Magnet schools are some of the best in the state (D'Evelyn), while some are low performing (typically alternative schools) but few, if any, have the problems with finances.

In your case, your daughter would be best served at a place like the Denver School of the Arts (a magnet school, not a charter school) IF she is very serious about the violin. She would have to "major" in music (specifically violin) and would take classes concentrated in her major. Unfortunately, the admissions process for next year has already begun, and I am not sure you could get her into DSA next school year.

Most other magnets and charters do not have much in the way of music programs (especially instrumental music) because of their focuses (foci) and their relatively small sizes. If she does not get into a place like DSA, you could check out schools that have orchestra programs. Most middle schools do not, but some in the Cherry Creek School District do.

[Rlkohtz]

Thanks, everyone! I have another question now. I'm so clueless, I know. My husband would really like to be in the city. What neighborhoods, in Denver, close to downtown, are the best/safest for young families?

[2bindenver]

Why? Denver is mostly suburban. If hubby travels, I would want to be close to highway access.

What is important to you in a community? What else is important? Then the regulars can suggest a starting point.

[davidv]

Originally Posted by Rlkohtz

Thanks, everyone! I have another question now. I'm so clueless, I know. My husband would really like to be in the city. What neighborhoods, in Denver, close to downtown, are the best/safest for young families?

Stapleton.