Innovation Schools
The Innovation Schools Act improves student outcomes by supporting greater school autonomy and
flexibility in academic and operational decision-making. The Act allows a public school or group of
public schools to submit an innovation plan to its school district
board of education to implement innovations that result in improved
student outcomes. Once approved, school district boards of education
must submit the innovation plans and waiver requests to the Colorado
State Board of Education for ratification.
Innovation Districts Approved by State Board
District of Innovation |
Innovation School |
Date Application Approved |
| Colorado Springs School District 11 | Wasson High School | Aug. 2010 |
| Denver Public Schools | Godsman Elementary | Aug. 2011 |
| Green Valley Elementary | Aug. 2011 | |
| McGlone Elementary | Aug. 2011 | |
| Summit Academy | Aug. 2011 | |
| Swigert-McAuliffe International School | Aug. 2011 | |
| Vista Academy | Aug. 2011 | |
| Collegiate Prep Academy | June 2011 | |
| High Tech Early College, Denver Center for 21st Century Learning at Wyman | June 2011 | |
| Noel Community Arts School | May 2011 | |
| Denver Center for International Studies at Ford | May 2011 | |
| Denver Center for International Studies at Montbello | May 2011 | |
| Whittier K-8 School | Sept. 2010 | |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Early College | Sept. 2010 | |
| Valdez Innovation School | June 2010 | |
| Denver Green School | April 2010 | |
| Cole Arts and Sciences Academy | Aug. 2009 | |
| Montclair School of Academics and Enrichment | March 2009 | |
| Manual High School | March 2009 | |
| Kit Carson R-1 School District | Kit Carson Elementary School | March 2011 |
| Kit Carson Junior-Senior High School | March 2011 |
Click here to access the innovation school applications and supporting documents.
Annual Reports
Supporting Documents
- Statute
- Fact Sheet
- Guidance for the Innovation Schools Act (updated Aug. 2010)
- Application Process Flowchart
- State Board of Education Innovation Schools Act Procedures
- Guidance on how the Great Teachers and Leaders law (S.B. 10-191) applies to Innovation Schools
Resources
For more information, contact:
Kady Dodds, senior policy associate
303-866-6274
dodds_k@cde.state.co.us