DSST educators Yesta Ealy and Jeff Desserich are pictured at the award event. Photo by McLeod9 Creative

DSST: Stapleton High School was among three finalists for a $15,000 award from nonprofit Colorado Succeeds for “Transformational Impact” at the high school level. Denver Center for International Studies emerged as the winner in that category at a program held September 19, but as a runner up, DSST: Stapleton came home with $5,000 to support its ongoing programs.

DSST: Stapleton was recognized for achieving a 100 percent four-year college acceptance rate over the last 10 years, despite systemic inequities in college access. At DSST, “Robust STEM programming and presentations from businesses highlight STEM career opportunities available to students,” according to an email from Colorado Succeeds, “while eleventh grade internships and Senior Projects increase students’ preparedness for the world that awaits them.”

Now in its second year, The Succeeds Prize is an awards and recognition event for Colorado public schools. It is presented by 9NEWS, Colorado Succeeds and mindSpark Learning. Western Union sponsored the award category in which DSST: Stapleton competed.