The City of Denver created new bike lanes along 26th Ave. between Quebec and Holly so students would have a safer commute between Stapleton and Park Hill. Councilman Chris Herndon organized a community bike ride from the 29th Ave. Town Center to Smiley to celebrate the opening of the new bike lanes. Above, Herndon and others cross Quebec at 26th en route to a celebratory gathering at Smiley on Aug.9.

When 5th graders and their families in Stapleton and Park Hill submitted their school choice forms last January, they were the first participants in the new DPS shared boundary policy where middle schoolers in the two communities are guaranteed a place at one of five schools but don’t have an assigned home school. The April 2014 issue of the Front Porch illustrated the mix of elementary schools within each of the five schools. Now this mix of students from numerous DPS and non-DPS elementary schools are making their commutes by bike, by bus and on foot to their new middle schools. Bill Roberts and DSST:Stapleton retained their same programs and facilities. DSST:Conservatory Green is a new program in a new building (featured in the August Front Porch). McAuliffe doubled in size and moved to the Smiley building, leaving their space for a new program, Denver Discovery School.

Interviews with the McAuliffe and Denver Discovery principals address what’s new and/or different at their schools this year:

“New Denver Discovery School Opens”

“McAuliffe Moves and Doubles in Size”

 For more information about the five shared-boundary schools refer to the Front Porch Guide to Middle Schools.