ABOUT US
Our Story
RiseUp opened our doors in August of 2015. We are a charter school with in Denver Public Schools. We’ve worked hard to ensure each student is given the opportunity to learn, practice, and excel with skills they need to be an active participant in their community. Our curriculum is designed to examine self and community, our wrap-around services help students navigate barriers to school, and community building helps us understand each other as individuals rather than judge each other based on biases.
Mission & Vision
Mission
To engage young people who have previously dropped out of school or are at risk of dropping out. In a supportive learning environment, each student is held to high expectations, cultivates a sense of social justice, and is inspired to obtain a high school diploma and prepare for college and careers after graduation.
Vision
All young people, regardless of their circumstances, have access to an education that will prepare them to counter social inequities and realize their full potential.
How We're Different
A meaningful curriculum
Every graduate shows mastery in three areas:
- Higher Order Thinking: Students go beyond memorizing facts and apply what they learn in real world situations.
- Social Responsibility: Students recognize and address issues in order to better their communities.
- Post-Secondary Readiness Every student develops a personal road map to meet their goals.
Student-centered support
Students drive their own learning. Every student is given a case manager and advisor to work with throughout their career at RiseUp Community School. Case managers and advisors help students set and meet goals and meet the demands of a rigorous curriculum.
Short, Focused, Project-Based Classes to Earn Credits
Each class at RiseUp Community School is twelve weeks long. Students earn credits at an accelerated rate without taking shortcuts on course quality. Each class provides an engaging in-depth look into a topic that is meaningful to students.
A Restorative Approach
We use Restorative Practices in every aspect of the school so that we can transform the accountability process so that we have the opportunity to make mistakes and grow without disconnected punishments.
FAQ
Are you a charter school?
Yes- RiseUp Community School is a free, public charter high school authorized by Denver Public Schools. Our school is open to any high school student in the Denver metro area.
What sort of students are you looking for?
We are looking for students ages 16-20 that have dropped out, or are in danger of dropping out of high school. Our school model is specifically set up to support these students.
While students can earn credits at an accelerated rate, we are not a typical credit recovery school. Every class gives students a deeper glimpse into their communities and arms them with the tools needed to become leaders.
Where is RiseUp located?
We are at 2342 Broadway Street (corner of Broadway & Lawrence) in Denver in the Denver Firefighters Protective Association building.
When are RiseUp Community School board meetings?
Public board meetings are on the 4th Thursday of each month, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. In order to maintain social distancing, we will be holding board meetings virtually. If you are interested in attending or receiving a recording, please email a request to board.rcs@gmail.com.
Any person paying school taxes in said district may at any time prior to the final adoption of the budget file or register his objections thereto.
Title IX Coordinators
Matt Baca Assistant Principal
mbaca@riseupcommunityschool.net, 303-921-3873
Ismael Alvarez Administrative Assistant
ialvarez@riseupcommunityschool.net, 303-656-1140
