Continuing to Invest in K-12 Education: Gov. Polis Announces RISE Turnaround Grant Recipients
Nine Colorado Schools Receive Transformative Support as Part of Polis Administration’s Work to Ensure High-Quality Education for All Colorado Students
DENVER - Today, Governor Polis announced the nine Colorado schools, districts, and community partners awarded grant funding from the Response, Innovation, and Student Equity (RISE) Fund. These grants build upon the Polis Administration’s work investing in high-quality K-12 education to ensure all Colorado students can thrive, and provide bold support for students attending schools and districts in turnaround status.
“From Montrose to Pueblo, and Lake County to Adams County, we are making sure that all Colorado students have access to a great education. As a lifelong advocate for innovation and excellence in education, I am proud that we are putting Colorado students first, supporting our schools because we know that our kids are the best investment we can make in the future of our state,” said Gov. Polis.
In 2020, Gov. Polis launched the RISE fund to provide bold support to schools addressing the learning challenges related to the economic, social, and health impacts of COVID-19. Gov. Polis announced the first two rounds of RISE grant recipients in November 2020 and January 2021 respectively, and applications for this targeted final round opened in August 2022.
Previous RISE grants have supported innovation in high-needs school districts, charter schools, mobile education programs, and collaboration with higher education to improve student learning, close equity gaps, and enhance operational efficiency for pre-K-12 through higher education. This round of funding was specifically dedicated to supporting schools, districts, and community organizations serving K-12 students attending schools and districts in turnaround status.
The nine RISE grant recipients include:
Adams 14 School District - Adams County
This grant will support Adams City High School’s initiative to combine rigorous academics, career, and technical education with real-world experience and integrated student support. This approach creates real-world learning experiences for students to better understand the connections between the classroom and the world of work. Adams City High School is designing four Career and Technical Education Themed Academies including an academy of architecture, construction, engineering, and design; an academy of digital information and technology; an academy of health professions and sciences; and an academy of business and entrepreneurship.
Boys & Girls Club - Denver
This grant will provide after-school and summer programming for Adams 14 youth in Commerce City, CO. Using data-driven models, BGCMD will improve student achievement, support postsecondary and workforce exploration and development, and enhance the mental well-being of youth through the administration of four core program areas, including academic success, character and leadership, healthy lifestyles, and mental health.
Lake County School District - Lake County
This grant will expand the use of the mobile learning center, weekly meal delivery, and Family Connector program, which is designed to connect families with school information, resource navigation, and health and safety updates.
Pueblo School District 60 - Pueblo
Grant funding will support collaboration among Pueblo School District 60, Alamosa School District, Denver Public Schools, Greeley-Evans Schools, and Mesa County Valley School District 51, to provide family engagement and technical assistance for turnaround schools, including strengthening family assessment literacy and providing training on culturally responsive FAFSA completion strategies.
South Central Boces - Pueblo
Grant funding will provide high-impact interventions to close achievement and opportunity gaps across a broad geographic region, through regional career-connected learning navigators, mental health supports and services, and professional development in core content areas.
Stedman Elementary - Denver
Stedman will use RISE funds to build the capacity of key stakeholders including parents, educators, and community partners to support and sustain their child’s academic growth over time, increase school and community educator capacity to instruct within a cultural framework, and increase the depth of targeted academic, social-emotional-cultural, and wellness supports for students. This plan will focus on adaptive adult learning leading to positive technical shifts for families and students.
Strive Prep - SMART - Denver
The project will improve students' postsecondary readiness by providing: P/SAT tutoring, dedicated postsecondary preparation seminars, weekly college access lessons in advisory classes, college fairs and visits, alumni support services, and robust family engagement through ongoing communications and dedicated events throughout the year.
University Prep Charter School - Denver
This grant will support the planning and development of a new University Prep Charter School campus for the Commerce City community. Through parent involvement and community outreach, the planning process will ensure the new school is ready to provide a high-quality learning environment from day one that meets the wants and needs of families in the local community and transforms academic outcomes for all children.
Vista Charter School - Montrose
This funding will support Vista Charter to implement a student-centered and data-driven model of individualized learning to support student achievement and success with far-reaching benefits for both Vista students and the surrounding community. This program will introduce new career pathways programs for Vista Charter School students, helping students to prepare for higher education or their chosen career and building new connections with the surrounding business community.