BY DANIELLE CORRIVEAU

Curious about schools near Cook Park? Well, you’ve got choices. When I typed my address into Denver Public School’s School Finder and randomly picked 2nd grade, nearly 20 schools less than 3 miles from me popped up. Cook Park is surrounded by academic opportunities, each with its own educational highlight. Here’s a quick overview of some of the closest. If you want to explore more, pop your address into: dps.schoolmint.net/school-finder.

McMeen Elementary (ECE-5)
Just up from Lollipop Lake on Holly, McMeen Elementary welcomes nearly 500 students. The school proudly offers a 2-way Dual Language program which provides instruction in both Spanish and English. The aim is for students to leave bilingual and biliterate. Along with cultivating language, McMeen’s Community Garden is cared for by both students and community members from early spring through fall. To learn more visit: mcmeen.dpsk12.org.

Place Bridge Academy (ECE-8)
Each morning, buses filled with children from all over the city arrive at Place Bridge Academy. Established in 2008, PBA is the Newcomer Center for grades 1-8 for all of DPS. Hailing from more than 60 countries, many of PBA’s students have spent time in refugee camps, and experienced interrupted schooling. Visitors may hear between 45-60 different languages joyfully spoken in the school. Each year in May, PBA showcases its diversity at “International Night.” To learn more visit: place.dpsk12.org.

Highline Academy Charter School Southeast (K-8)
Word is out about Highline Academy Charter Schools’ Southeast Campus. The school is among the top 10 DPS schools for performance. In 2020, Highline was one of only four Colorado schools to earn the prestigious National Blue-Ribbon School Award. In April, the school celebrated groundbreaking for an expansion, which includes extra classrooms, offices, bathrooms, an open learning space and an outdoor courtyard. “We were very intentional to uplifit community voice for the new space. Students, families and staff were involved in the master planning,” shared Highline Academy’s Director of Strategy and Communications Brittany Joyce. To learn more visit: highlineacademy.org.

Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning (K-12) 
Colorado begs to be explored! RMSEL rises to that calling. RMSEL began in 1993 in partnership with Outward Bound. Since then, RMSEL earned the honorable state rating of Accredited with Distinction. In 2020, RMSEL received a Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) Grant and underwent a complete renovation. It’s not as much about classroom as it is “crews” and the aim is “expedition” where students learn to think and analyze as historians and/or scientists as they embark on off-campus in the field learning for up to two weeks annually. To learn more visit: rmsel.org.

George Washington High School (9-12)
“One George” is the vision for this diverse, inclusive community. GW presents a solid, strong International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, a wide range of Advanced Placement courses, CareerConnect programs, Concurrent Enrollment opportunities, as well as fierce athletics and clubs galore, arts and more. Speaking of speaking, GW proved they know the art of speech and debate. The school ranks 4th in the country and just won the Colorado State Championship. The school boasts 10 National Merit Finalists, which is twice as many as any other high school in Denver Public Schools. Right now, more than 500 students are preparing for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams in May. Good luck Patriots! To learn more visit: gwhs.dpsk12.org.

Other close schools to consider include Rocky Mountain Prep Creekside, Ellis Elementary, Hill Campus of Arts & Sciences, and Thomas Jefferson High School. Enjoy exploring the education opportunities around Cook Park.