VENTURE PREP TO FOCUS ON HIGH SCHOOL
By Ken Burdette, Venture Prep High School Principal
Venture Prep’s high school is among the highest-rated high schools in Denver, with a “Meets Expectations” (green) rating on the 2012 DPS School Performance Framework. The high school provides a rigorous, college-preparatory education for families and students in the Park Hill community and throughout greater Denver. In addition, Venture Prep’s high school has been recognized for achieving one of the highest growth rates in mathematics of all schools in Colorado, among the highest growth of all high schools in Denver, and, as important, a 100 percent college acceptance rate by its inaugural senior class.
Therefore, Venture Prep has made the strategic decision to focus solely on the continued success of its 9th through 12th grade programs. Though the Venture Prep middle school showed substantial growth in student achievement, particularly in the 2011-2012 school year at 110 percent, its performance fell short of the high expectations of both Venture Prep and DPS. DPS and Venture Prep have therefore made the decision to phase out the middle school beginning in the next school year (2013-2014) based on the terms of the DPS Board resolution in November 2011. Venture Prep will continue to serve all currently enrolled middle school students and will provide them with a guaranteed space in the high-performing Venture Prep high school, but the middle school will not accept any new students for the 2013-14 school year.
Venture Prep and DPS are committed to providing the highest-quality educational offerings to families and students in the Park Hill community and across Denver. DPS supports Venture Prep’s commitment to school quality and the school’s decision to strategically focus on continued excellence in its high school. Venture Prep and DPS are mutually committed to maintaining strong accountability measures for student achievement.
Ken Burdette can be reached at 303-893-0805 or kburdette@ventureprep.org.