Teller Elementary School

Enrollment Zone Impacts at Teller Elementary School

11/13/24, 5:04 PM

Dear Teller Community,

As part of the Denver Schools Thrive Initiative, and using direction from Executive Limitation 18 (EL-18), the superintendent has recommended 10 schools for closures or program restructures. Many of those closures and restructures will impact the boundaries and/or enrollment zones of additional schools. Teller is one of those additional schools. By adding schools to enrollment zones, we are promoting integration and facilitating robust choice options for all impacted communities and families. There has been no final decision made at this time. The Board of Education is ultimately responsible for approving these recommendations on Thursday, Nov. 21.

We want to assure you that students currently enrolled in Kindergarten and above at Teller will remain enrolled through the final grade offered at our school, regardless of the proposed changes to boundaries and enrollment zones. You would still have the ability to choose a school through the SchoolChoice process if you would like to explore other school options. SchoolChoice Round 1 application window opens on Jan. 15, 2025 at 10 a.m. and will remain open through Feb. 18, 2025 at 4 p.m. 

If the Board of Education approves the Superintendent’s recommendation package, Teller will become part of the new Central East Elementary Enrollment zone. Starting in the 2025-26 school year, Palmer’s boundary will join the following schools in the formation of this zone: 

• Carson (K-5)

• DGS Southeast (K-8)

• Lowry (ECE-5)

• Montclair (ECE-5)

• Steck (ECE-5)

• Teller (ECE-5)
  
  

Additional transportation information: 

Enrollment Zone Transportation

Per existing Transportation policy, the following DPS students who reside in (existing and newly created) enrollment zones and attend a school within that enrollment zone are eligible for stop-to-school-to-stop service on yellow buses:

• Elementary (K-5) students who live more than 1 mile away from the school they attend.

• Middle School (6-8) students who live more than 2.5 miles away from the school they attend.

Additional enrollment & SchoolChoice information: 

• Guaranteed Seats: Students residing within the new or expanded enrollment zones are guaranteed a seat within that zone, with transportation provided in some cases (see above).

• Incoming Kindergarteners for 2025-26: Families of future kindergarteners will need to participate in SchoolChoice Round 1 to secure a seat.

• SchoolChoice Timeline:

  • Round 1: Opens Jan. 15, 2025 at 10 a.m., and closes Feb. 18, 2025 at 4 p.m. Families will receive results by the end of March 2025.

  • Round 2: Opens April 8, 2025 and remains open through the summer.

  • Note: Round 1 provides the best opportunity to secure your preferred school.

• Closing School Priority: If any nearby schools close, students from those schools in grades kindergarten through fourth will receive “closing school priority” for enrollment at any other DPS school.

  • This will be the highest choice priority at all DPS schools.

  • Example of priorities for an elementary school that serves an enrollment zone.

• Bell Times: Bell times may change for some impacted schools; if this is the case there will be an effort to make minimal changes (less than 15 minutes). 

For more information, including frequently asked questions, including a summary of the impacted schools, please visit the Denver School Thrives webpage.

Sincerely,

Sabrina Bates, Principal 

Jason Smartt, Assistant Principal