APS Board of Education Executive Session

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2019

WHAT: APS Board of Education Executive Session
WHEN: Tuesday, October 1, 2019, 5-5:45 p.m.
WHERE: Professional Learning and Conference Center, 15771 East 1st Avenue, Aurora, CO 80011

Aurora Public Schools Board of Education Executive Session

On Tuesday, October 1, 2019, the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education is expected to recess into executive session under the authority of C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(f)(I) to discuss a personnel matter, specifically the superintendent’s evaluation.

The executive session will be held from 5:00-5:45 p.m. in the Annex conference room at the APS Professional Learning and Conference Center, 15771 E. 1^st Ave., Aurora, CO 80011.

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APS and Aurora Science & Tech Celebrate Groundbreaking of New STEM School

MEDIA ADVISORY
For Sept. 12, 2019

Press Contacts:
Corey Christiansen (APS) | cpchristiansen@aurorak12.org | 720-591-0140
Stefanie Gilary (AST) | Stefanie.Gilary@scienceandtech.org | 914-960-6079

AURORA, CO – A groundbreaking partnership between Aurora Public Schools (APS) and Aurora Science & Tech (AST) will give APS students the opportunity to learn and work on a world-class medical campus. Join us as we break ground on a new school building for AST, the first DSST Public Schools campus in Aurora.

The grades 6-12 school will be located on the Fitzsimons Innovation Campus and will focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Thanks to its proximity to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, this partnership will provide students with a multitude of real-world science and research opportunities.

A few weeks ago, AST welcomed its founding class of 6th graders to a temporary location. It will move into its permanent facility in fall 2020 and add a new grade each year. Students living in northwest Aurora will be given preference for enrollment. Then, enrollment will open up to other APS students. DSST Public Schools has operated some of Denver’s best public schools for over 15 years and AST will be its first school in a district outside of Denver.

 

WHAT: Aurora Science & Tech Groundbreaking Celebration / Light refreshments will be served

WHEN: Thursday, September 12th at 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: 2540 N. Scranton Ct, Aurora, CO 80045 / Shuttles will be provided from the parking lot to the event tent

WHO: Donors, Educators, Students & Families of AST and APS 

SPEAKERS: 

Marques Ivey, Aurora Public Schools Board of Education President
Bill Kurtz, DSST Public Schools CEO
Scott Arthur, Vice Chancellor of Advancement, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Peter Sherman, AST Founding School Director
Cassandra Maynard, AST 6th Grader 

Photo/Video Oppt: Upon request we will ensure that media has the opportunity to take photographs, videotape the event and interview students and staff – please call Stefanie Gilary at 914.960.6079.

About Aurora Public Schools
Aurora Public Schools is the fifth largest school district in Colorado. APS serves approximately 40,000 students and includes more than 60 schools. It is one of the most diverse districts in the state with students from more than 130 countries who speak over 160 languages. Over the past several years, APS has made noteworthy improvements in graduation rates, dropout rates and overall student growth and achievement. In fact, since 2013, APS graduation rates have increased by nearly 25%. During that same period of time, its dropout rate has sharply declined from 4.8% to 2.6%. APS 2020 is the district's strategic plan, which includes three strategic goals: 1) Every APS student will have a plan for his or her future, 2) Every student will have a set of skills to implement his or her plan and 3) Every student will have credentials that open doors. It is the district's vision that every student shapes a successful future.

About DSST Public Schools
DSST Public Schools (DSST) operates a network of STEM middle and high schools in Denver and Aurora, Colorado. For the 2019-20 school year, DSST will serve over 6,300 students at fifteen schools across ten campuses on behalf of Denver Public Schools and Aurora Public Schools. All DSST students enroll via an open lottery--there are no other admissions criteria. DSST believes students are best served by integrated public schools that reflect the diversity of their community--over 70 percent of DSST students are students of color and more than 60 percent qualify for free or reduced price lunch. DSST’s current growth plan envisions opening three additional schools in each of the districts it currently serves, resulting in a network at full buildout of 21 schools across 12 campuses serving over 10,000 students. Since DSST’s inception in 2004, every DSST high school graduate has been accepted to a four-year college or university.  

APS Breaks Ground on New P-8 School with Focus on STEM Education

AURORA, CO – Aurora Public Schools (APS) will break ground this week on a new school with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. The school’s curriculum will engage students in creative hands-on projects that will prepare them for future STEM careers. The school will serve students in preschool through 8th grade and will officially open in August 2020.

APS is reaching out to the local community to help determine the name of the school, its mascot and the school’s colors. The new P-8 will offer a full range of sports for grades 6-8. Students in all grades will be able to participate in after-school clubs, activities and learning opportunities. Construction for the new school is funded by the voter-approved $300 million 2016 bond program.

 

WHAT: Groundbreaking Ceremony for new P-8 School at Harmony

WHEN: Wednesday, August 28th @ 4:30 p.m.

WHERE: 52 N. Robertsdale Street, Aurora, CO 80018

The school is located in Aurora in the Harmony subdivision along E. Ellsworth Ave. between Robertsdale St. and Trussville Rd. Since the school is in an area of new construction, GPS systems do not accurately display its location.

*Please refer to the map below for directions to the site.

APS Joins Community in Celebrating the Grand Opening of New College & Career Center

MEDIA ADVISORY                        

For Aug. 23, 2019

Press Contact:

Corey Christiansen, APS Public Information Officer

cpchristiansen@aurorak12.org | C: 720-591-0140

        

AURORA, CO – The vision of Aurora Public Schools (APS) is that every student shapes a successful future. APS is creating College & Career Centers across the district to ensure high school students can successfully graduate and have a plan to thrive in the post-secondary world. APS is excited to announce the grand opening of its 5th College & Career Center which will be located at Vista PEAK Preparatory.

College & Career Centers provide students with critical information and guidance on everything from high school graduation requirements to filling out college applications and essays. The centers also teach students how to apply for financial aid, pursue internship opportunities and navigate the boundless variety of potential career options. Since the first center opened in 2014, they have served more than 8,500 APS students and helped them secure more than $56 million in scholarships. The district’s 4-year graduation rates have also increased nearly 25% in the last five years.

The College & Career Centers are run by the Aurora Public Schools Foundation. The Foundation’s goal is to secure funding to open one additional center so it can serve all APS high school students.

 

WHAT: Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the New Vista PEAK Preparatory College & Career Center

WHEN: Friday, August 23rd / 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Vista PEAK Preparatory / 24500 E 6th Ave, Aurora, CO 80018

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: Rico Munn, APS Superintendent / Jason Maclin, Vista PEAK Preparatory Principal / Caleb Blackmon, Vista PEAK Preparatory Senior Class President

About Aurora Public Schools

Aurora Public Schools is the fifth largest school district in Colorado. APS serves approximately 40,000 students and includes over 60 schools. It is one of the most diverse districts in the state with students from more than 130 countries who speak over 160 languages. Over the past several years, APS has made noteworthy improvements in graduation rates, dropout rates and overall student growth and achievement. In fact, since 2013, APS graduation rates have increased by nearly 25%. During that same period of time, its dropout rate has sharply declined from 4.8% to 2.6%. APS 2020 is the district's strategic plan, which includes three strategic goals: 1) Every APS student will have a plan for his or her future, 2) Every student will have a set of skills to implement his or her plan and 3) Every student will have credentials that open doors. It is the district's vision that every student shapes a successful future.

 

About Aurora Public Schools Foundation

The Aurora Public Schools Foundation was created in 1987 and serves to foster support of education within the Aurora Public School District by bringing together teachers, business people, parents, alumni and community leaders. The APS Foundation advances private, non-profit, public and philanthropic partnerships to develop and leverage resources for projects and programs that drive innovation and excellence for approximately 40,000 students, 5,000 teachers and staff and over 60 schools.

Equity Drives Improvements in Aurora Public Schools

NEWS RELEASE                    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   

Aug. 15, 2019

Press Contact:

Corey Christiansen, APS Public Information Officer

cpchristiansen@aurorak12.org | C: 720-591-0140

 

AURORA, CO – With the Colorado Department of Education’s recent release of achievement data, Aurora Public Schools shows noteworthy momentum by using equity to drive improvements. Students continue to grow and achieve at higher rates year after year. This includes students who are English language learners, minority students, students with disabilities and those who qualify for free and reduced lunch.

APS increased achievement in both English language arts (ELA) and math in 2019, which marks the fifth straight year of improvement for the district. Over the past five years, APS has improved 5.8% in ELA and 5.8% in math. 

A highlight of the 2019 data is the strong growth APS achieved in math. Overall, APS had a median growth percentile of 51 (state average is 50). English language learners had a median growth percentile of 52 in math, the highest ever for this group and an increase of 4% from 2018. Most other disaggregated groups also saw improvements in math growth scores.

“We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but we are a district that has proven year after year that we will not accept the status quo and continue the hard work of improving student outcomes,” said Superintendent Rico Munn. “I am especially proud that equity is at the heart of our work every day and am honored to work with staff members who recognize the strengths that all of our students bring to our classrooms.”

In addition, APS has closed the graduation gap meaning that our black, white and Hispanic students are all graduating at the same rates. In fact, for the class of 2018, the graduation rate for our black students was 76.7%. The graduation rate for our white students was 76.5% and the graduation rate for our Hispanic students was 76.3%.

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About Aurora Public Schools

Aurora Public Schools is the fifth largest school district in Colorado. APS serves approximately 40,000 students and includes over 60 schools. It is one of the most diverse districts in the state with students from more than 130 countries who speak over 160 languages. Over the past several years, APS has made noteworthy improvements in graduation rates, dropout rates and overall student growth and achievement. In fact, since 2013, APS graduation rates have increased by nearly 25%. During that same period of time, its dropout rate has sharply declined from 4.8% to 2.6%. APS 2020 is the district's strategic plan, which includes three strategic goals: 1) Every APS student will have a plan for his or her future, 2) Every student will have a set of skills to implement his or her plan and 3) Every student will have credentials that open doors. It is the district's vision that every student shapes a successful future.

APS Board of Education Executive Session

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2019

WHAT: APS Board of Education Executive Session
WHEN: Tuesday, August 20, 2019
WHERE: Professional Learning and Conference Center, 15771 East 1st Avenue, Aurora, CO 80011

Aurora Public Schools Board of Education Executive Session

On Tuesday, August 20, 2019, the Aurora Public Schools Board of Education is expected to recess into executive session under the authority of C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(b), to receive legal advice related to the Superintendent’s Contract.

The executive session will be held from 5:15-5:45 p.m. in the Annex conference room at the APS Professional Learning and Conference Center, 15771 E. 1^st Ave., Aurora, CO 80011.

 

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APS Hosts Colossal Community Party & Backpack Giveaway to Welcome Students Back for New School Year

MEDIA ADVISORY                         

For Aug. 3, 2019

Press Contact:

Corey Christiansen, APS Public Information Officer

cpchristiansen@aurorak12.org | C: 720-591-0140

AURORA, CO – The end of summer is the start of the biggest party of the year in Aurora. More than 20,000 Aurora Public Schools (APS) students, family members and staff will take over the Town Center of Aurora for the 12th annual APS Back to School Kickoff. APS will give away 4,500 backpacks filled with school supplies* plus provide free food and entertainment. Students can race through an inflatable obstacle course, get their face painted and enjoy a variety of music and talent performances.

The Back to School Kickoff is a celebration of the diverse APS community. It’s also the perfect opportunity for students and families to meet school staff and ensure they’re prepared for a successful school year. Leaders from every APS school will be present to answer questions and assist with student registration. Parents can also obtain low- or no-cost immunizations at the event for their children. 

*Free backpacks will be provided only to APS students while supplies last

WHAT: 12th Annual APS Back to School Kickoff

WHEN: Saturday, August 3rd / 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Town Center at Aurora / 14200 E Alameda Ave, Aurora, CO 80012