The Denver School of Science and Technology (DSST) has submitted a charter school application to Aurora Public Schools, the only application received this year by APS. The application proposes two 6th-12th-grade campuses, one of which is at the border of Stapleton and NW Aurora where the new Stapleton-Aurora homes are being built. The proposed nine-acre campus is located on the north side of 25th Avenue between Fulton and Iola Streets. Location of the other campus has not been determined. Two district advisory committees will consider the application on May 3 followed by school board action on June 20.

DSST is Denver’s largest and fastest growing charter school network with approximately 5,000 students. The 25th Avenue campus would be DSST’s first school located outside Denver.

DSST proposes to begin operations of the open enrollment charter school of choice at 25th Avenue with 150 students in 6th grade for the 2019-2020 school year.

A voter approved bond issue in November sets aside $12 million as the district’s share of the facility, with DSST expected to fund raise an equal amount. The DSST application describes a 110,000 square foot school but a site plan has not yet been developed.

Key to making the campus work is district acquisition of a 1.7 acre parcel located between Geneva and Galena Streets. The site is currently occupied by the South Stapleton Office Warehouse Park building. APS has begun condemnation proceedings and the matter is expected to go to court in the coming weeks.