The Colorado Department of Education

Offices | Staff Contacts | Colorado.gov

Innovation Schools

The Innovation Schools Act provides a pathway for schools and districts to develop innovative practices, better meet the needs of individual students and allow more autonomy to make decisions at the school-level. 

The Act allows a public school or group of public schools to submit an innovation plan to its' local board of education. The plan is designed to increase student outcomes at the school(s). Once approved, school district boards of education must submit the innovation plans and waiver requests to the Colorado State Board of Education for approval.

Innovation Districts Approved by State Board

District of Innovation

Innovation School

Date Application Approved

Colorado Springs School District 11 Wasson High School August 2010
Denver Public Schools Trevista ECE-8 at Horace Mann September 2012
  Grant Beacon Middle School May 2012
  C3 April 2012
  McAuliffe International School March 2012
  West Leadership Academy March 2012
  West Generations Academy March 2012
  Godsman Elementary August 2011
  Green Valley Elementary August 2011
  McGlone Elementary August 2011
  Summit Academy August 2011
  Swigert-McAuliffe International School August 2011
  Vista Academy August 2011
  Collegiate Prep Academy June 2011
  High Tech Early College June 2011
  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 September 2010
  Martin Luther King Jr. Early College September 2010
  Valdez Innovation School June 2010
  Denver Green School April 2010
  Cole Arts and Sciences Academy August 2009
  Montclair School of Academics and Enrichment March 2009
  Manual High School March 2009
Falcon School District 49 Horizon Middle School September 2012
  Remington Elementary School August 2012
  Evans International Elementary School August 2012
  Vista Ridge High School June 2012
  Skyview Middle School June 2012
  Stetson Elementary School June 2012
  Ridgeview Elementary School June 2012
  Odyssey Elementary School June 2012
  Falcon Middle School June 2012
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

          Innovation Guidance Appendix A Checklist

          Innovation Guidance Appendix B Waivers

          S.B. 10-191 Guidance for Innovation Schools

 

Resources

 

For more information, contact:

Jessica Fuller

Innovation, Choice and Engagement Division

Phone: 303-866-6971
fuller_j@cde.state.co.us