As a charter school focused specifically on high school dropouts, Life Skills Center of Denver draws some of the most challenging students in the city. The school is made up exclusively of students who had already stopped attending other traditional schools for at least 60 days before they entered Life Skills. The goal of the school is to reach dropouts and re-engage them with education and job training. 
“Ultimately, we want our students to graduate with a diploma and develop work and life skills along the way to help them be successful in their chosen path,” said Santiago Lopez, school administrator.
Since Life Skills opened in 2003, 163 students graduated with a high school diploma, along with vocational and living skills. In spite of this and other significant accomplishments, the Denver Public Schools board is reviewing whether or not to renew the school’s charter. If the DPS board forces the school to close its doors, many Life Skills students and future DPS dropouts would have no other positive alternative.
Instead of following a traditional classroom approach, Life Skills meets students’ individual needs through technology-based instruction guided by one-on-one interaction with licensed teachers. In addition, vocational specialists are on site to assist students with career planning, job training, and job placement. 
Family advocates also provide resources to help eliminate the social, emotional and behavioral barriers to students’ academic success.  Most students at Life Skills face a combination of issues such as intense poverty, teenage pregnancy and legal problems.
The school is supported by a diverse board with deep, local roots.  These community leaders identified an unmet local need – education and support for dropouts – and they have worked intensively to address it. The board works closely with administrators at the school to implement an effective national educational model designed by White Hat Management.
“The Life Skills students are one of our city’s most valuable resources.  They have the ability to be contributing members of our community,” said Ada Diaz Kirby, president of the Life Skills Center board.
“I found myself in a similarly difficult situation when I was young,” Diaz Kirby added.  “I was lucky that I found a way to earn my diploma and develop a meaningful career.  These kids are desperate to have someone give them a chance – and Life Skills does that.”

Return To Top