Collected within DPS school communities on their top education concerns
In focus groups with DPS families, educators, and alumni across the city
With Denver residents at their doors about public education issues
We meet families, educators, and community members where they are—at public schools, community events, or on their doorstep—to understand the issues they care about and engage in conversations about the future of public education in Denver.
Together, we use our findings to shape our Policy Platform, which in turn informs district leaders and policymakers about what the community wants in their education system.
During a two-year listening campaign, Denver Families engaged 8,575 residents across every neighborhood in the city. Three top priorities emerged: Academics, Mental Health, and Safety.
A key part of the listening effort was the Kitchen Table Survey, which gave DPS students, families, educators, and community members a platform to share their views on the school board, education quality, and what issues matter most. Surveys were conducted both online and in-person.
Another method of engagement was the LEARN program—a door-to-door, paid canvassing initiative that sparked conversations about public education and encouraged community advocacy. LEARN helped bridge school communities with the broader Denver public, building a shared vision for the future of education.
We connect families, educators, and community members to the people, systems, and structures that comprise Denver’s public education landscape, creating new ways for them to engage in education advocacy and leadership.
Through this work, we cultivate a lasting network of advocates and policymakers who will influence the future of public education in Denver. By fostering partnerships and collaboration, our work creates the conditions for key stakeholders to reimagine, innovate, and expand access to high-quality public schools.
Advocacy Ambassadors is a program that supports participants to engage, activate, and mobilize their communities to drive student-centered policy and leadership in education.
Leaders for Education Advocacy Denver (LEAD) is a two-day workshop that gathers a diverse group of values-driven community members who are interested in expanding their knowledge on the DPS landscape and exploring different pathways they can take as LEADers.
We invest in and collaborate with schools, community organizations, and initiatives that are directly responding to what Denver families want and need. By supporting strong school leadership, effective policies, and mission-aligned community partners, we help ensure that all students—regardless of background—can thrive in excellent, responsive public schools.
Through collaborations with school leaders, district leadership, and education nonprofit partners, we support policies and initiatives so that all families have access to a high-quality school where their students can thrive.
By supporting organizations aligned with our community’s vision for strong public schools, we work together to advance educational equity and create meaningful, lasting impact in our communities.
