Editor’s note: The SHIFT Chronicles is a new monthly feature dedicated to amplifying student voices, where those most impacted by the public education system share their thoughts, reflections, and experiences. In collaboration with FaithBridge SHIFT fellows, these commentaries offer a genuine glimpse into the challenges students are facing within our city’s schools. These students represent a diverse range of schools across the city, each with distinct cultures and expectations, yet all united under the DPS banner. A special thank you to all the student writers who contributed their entries.
This month’s articles respoond to the following prompts:How did your fall semester go? Based on your experience at your school would you recommend your school for school choice round 1? Do you agree with the state rating? Why or why not?
Clara Nogales, senior, South High School
The first semester of senior year was an unforgettable experience due to its unexpected challenges and events.
There was definitely a mix of excitement and stress because of the complexity of applying to college and also the thrill of finally being done. One of the most impactful and positive experiences was applying to college with the help of my team leads from Faithbridge, Maya and Vernon.
Once I finished applying to college, I felt more confident about my future and generally a bit relieved about what’s to come as senior year comes to an end. I exceeded my own expectations with my grades, and I was able to succeed in each of my classes, so I’d say in general it was a successful semester.
When it comes to recommending my school to incoming freshmen, I would say it depends on what they’re looking for.
South has its specific strengths, like the very big community and how friendly everyone is, but it also has its areas that need improvement, like any other school. Areas of strength are the variety of different classes you can take; we offer some really cool, unique classes like Marine Biology or Forensic Studies, and there’s a lot more options.
Also, the after-school clubs are very inclusive, and you’ll definitely find at least one you’ll like. We also have student alliances for each culture/background.
Some areas of improvement in my opinion are college readiness support and mental health supports. We have a Future Center with college mentors available most of the time, but no one seems to be aware of or actually reach out to them. It’s not very easy making an appointment with them, and sometimes they don’t even show up.
As I mentioned before, I was able to apply to college thanks to my outside resources, but school didn’t help me much at all. I have been in the AVID program for four years now, and thanks to that class, I was able to get some scholarships, but unfortunately, that’s an optional class that not many freshmen decide to take, but I would definitely recommend it.
Mental health supports are available but very limited; we have three school therapists/social workers, but it’s almost impossible to get an appointment with them due to their schedule being so full. Three mental health supports can’t sustain 1,844 students, and that’s a problem.
Regarding the ratings in the Mile High School Guide, I think they give a general idea of the school, but personal experiences can vary a lot. It’s always good to visit the school, talk to students, connect with teachers, and see if it feels like the right fit for you or your student.
South isn’t for everyone since it’s so big. You might need more support than they provide. They don’t have the chance to check up on every student academically or mentally, and some need it more than others.
Don’t just rely on the ratings!
Josee McKinnis, sophomore, DSST Montview High School
As I reflect on my first semester as sophomore at DSST Montview High School, I am filled with gratitude and pride for being part of such a vibrant and supportive community.
My experience so far has been nothing short of encouraging, and I have witnessed firsthand the dedication that both my peers and teachers have toward fostering a positive and enriching academic environment.
From the beginning of the school year, I noticed how strong our school spirit is . Everyone, from students to facility, contributes to a culture of respect, collaboration, and encouragement. Class discussions are not just lectures; they feel like conversations where everyone’s voice is heard and valued. This inclusivity has not only made me feel comfortable sharing my ideas but has also enabled me to learn from my classmates’ unique perspectives.
One of the standout aspects of my experience has been the teachers. Their commitment to our success goes beyond the classroom walls. Whether it’s staying after school for extra help, offering guidance on projects, or simply checking in to see how we are doing, they genuinely care about our well-being.
I’ve personally turned to my teachers during challenging moments, and their support has made all the difference. It’s reassuring to know that I can approach them with my struggles, academic or personal and that I will receive compassion and understanding.
From an academic standpoint , the curriculum has challenged me and encouraged me to push my limits. I have studied a variety of subjects that interest me. I feel that each class contributes to my growth both as a student and an individual. The emphasis on project-based learning has allowed me to apply concepts in real-world contexts, making learning both relevant and engaging.
As I look back on the past semester, I can confidently say that I would recommend DSST Montview to incoming freshmen without hesitation. The sense of belonging and support is substantial, making it an ideal place for new students to grow and thrive. Transitioning to high school can feel overwhelming, but at Montview, I believe new students and incoming freshmen will find a nurturing environment that empowers them to succeed.
With School Choice Round One approaching, DSST Montview High School has strong rankings in the mile High School Guide. I can affirm that the ratings reflect my experience accurately. The schools focus on academic excellence, coupled with commitment to character development and community engagement, truly sets it apart.
It is heartening to see our school’s efforts recognized in the broader context, and I believe this highlights the exponential opportunities available for all students who choose to enroll here in the future.
In conclusion, my first semester at DSST Montview has been a remarkable journey of growth, learning, and community. I look forward to continuing my high school experience in this supportive environment, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for our school and for all of us students.
For any incoming freshmen weighing their options, I wholeheartedly encourage you to choose DSST Montview – you will not regret it.
Jada Pulsipher, junior, East High School
The first semester of my junior year was much like what I expected.
People always say how junior year is the hardest considering it is when all of the major tests happen and college is something that I have to seriously start thinking about. The hardest part about this first semester was mostly the workload.
I signed up for a lot of really hard classes that would get me AP credits and things I could put on college applications. I knew that this would be hard but all it really takes is effort. Going in after school for extra help, taking any available retakes for tests, and simply putting in extra work after school made a big difference.
My biggest challenge was moving at the right pace along with my class and not falling behind. I took on these classes that are fast-paced like a college class would be, and not doing every assignment by the due date made everything harder. Overall this semester prepared me for the next because I now know what I need to do better and how to go about achieving my goals.
East High School is a really big school with around 2,400 students. With so many students sometimes it’s hard to get individual help from teachers. The thing that East does to offer more one-on-one time with teachers is something called enrichment. Enrichment is after school and it is a designated time in which students can go into any of their classes to get extra help. It is sort of like after school tutoring but every teacher is required to be there during that time so it is fairly reliable.
This system gives students the space to get what they need individually and work with individually with teachers. The only problem is that it is up to the students whether or not they take advantage of enrichment. For me I did not take advantage of this resource much but when I did I noticed that it improved my grades and got me closer to where I want to be academically.
That being said I would fully recommend East High School to incoming freshmen.
East is ranked a “green school.” I would agree with this ranking because although it is a great school that offers a lot of different things for its diverse student body, it still has flaws.The biggest thing that I noticed when I started my freshman year at East was how many different people there were and the huge variety of programs that it offers. There are so many different clubs that are for niche interests, and there are classes that other schools just don’t offer. Classes like Women’s Literature, Photography, Native American History, Constitutional Law, or clubs such as, the hot wheel club, the knitting club, the conservative club.
There’s something for everyone and these different school events make it a place where you can pursue any interest you want and be a part of the community. The East community is one of my favorite things about the school. Our pep rallies, school dances, and strong student council make the community very welcoming and a good school to make lots of classic high school memories.
There are some flaws around miscommunication between students and staff. Recently there was the controversial issue of deans sitting in the girls bathrooms to supervise, due to problems with vaping. But vaping problems can be found at any school and this is something that no school has been able to completely solve.
Overall I would definitely recommend that incoming freshmen consider East because of all of the amazing experiences that I’ve been able to have at this school.
Alazay Jaime, Junior, Denver Online High school
My first semester completely exceeded my expectations.
Going into 11th grade, I didn’t have very high hopes for myself. I messed up badly in freshman year, and my grades since then weren’t amazing, but they were okay. Nonetheless, I finished my first semester with straight A’s, which made not only me proud but also my entire family, especially considering my past.
In my opinion, online school is a fantastic option for students who can manage their time well. It gives you so much flexibility to pick your classes and catch up on missed sessions through recordings. They provide all the resources; you just need to put in the effort.
Personally, online school has helped me become better at multitasking with its flexible schedule, it’s given me more free time and has removed the stress of trying to balance too many physical classes at once. They also team up with various online programs like nursing schools, offering experiences that any public school I’ve been to hasn’t matched.
Considering there are likely more schools like mine, I think any student, especially freshmen, should seriously consider making the switch to online education. If I would have known how much online school would help me since my freshman year, I wouldn’t have waited.
The classes are top-notch and very personalized, and for an online school, they’re very hands on. I’ve been on two camping trips and a two-day wilderness aid course, all covered by the school.
The counselors are very helpful and very attentive; my counselor helped me graduate early last minute and didn’t rush me when it came to completing all the classes. She continuously made it clear that she was proud of me, which I feel established a closer relationship and a sense of security.
I feel like my school takes student potential seriously.
