FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 8, 2002	CONTACTS: Kristen M. Hubbell Governor’s Office 303/866-6420 David E. Greenberg New Schools Dev. Corp. 303/868-9990 Thomas J. Gleason Forest City Stapleton, Inc. 303/382-1800
GOV. OWENS ANNOUNCES STAPLETON AS SITE FOR DENVER SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Forest City Land Donation Marks Key Step in Opening School in 2004
DENVER – Gov. Bill Owens today announced Stapleton as the home of the Denver School of Science and Technology – commonly known as ‘High Tech High’ – following the donation of eight to ten acres of land by Forest City Stapleton, Inc., the master developer for the former airport property. The donation of the land by Forest City is a critically important step toward opening the Denver School of Science and Technology in 2004. When completed, the school will be an innovative Denver Public Schools (DPS) charter high school dedicated to increasing the proficiency of high school students in mathematics, science and technology. “Taking this giant step forward toward building is another sign that Colorado is leading the way in our fast-changing digital economy,” the Governor said. “The Denver School of Science and Technology will help build the 21st century workforce that tech companies are counting on when they look to bring quality jobs to our state. I’m very grateful for the generous donation from Forest City that is helping to move this project forward.” Selected as one of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s national demonstration project schools, the 400-student charter high school is based on the success of schools like High Tech High in San Diego, California, where students are transitioned from lecture based learning to environments where they learn by doing, working together and integrating different disciplines to find solutions to complex problems. The school plans to enroll 40 percent low-income students, which would more than double the representation of such students in any high-performing public high school in the state. The school also plans to enroll at least 45 percent female students. Forest City Stapleton has agreed to contribute eight to ten acres of land with an approximate value of $3 million for the Denver School of Science and Technology and also contribute up to $500,000 to assist in the construction of high technology laboratories. The school will be located along Montview Boulevard on the southwest quadrant of Stapleton. The focal point will be a 65,000 square foot Commons Building. The facility is being designed by an architectural team headed by David Stephens, the architect of High Tech High in San Diego. Among other features, it will offer broadband wireless and each student will be provided with a networked laptop computer. “The Denver School of Science and Technology will be an excellent addition to the range of choices we will offer families at Stapleton and the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Greg Vilkin, president of Forest City Stapleton, Inc. “We are working with the Stapleton Foundation to develop a master plan for education that will foster an environment of ‘life-long learning,’ and provide a variety of educational options that best suit the learning needs of each individual as we create the next great neighborhoods in Denver.” Beverly Haddon, CEO of the Stapleton Foundation said, “The commitment by the Denver School of Science and Technology to address the needs of low income and minority students will offer a valuable opportunity and incentive to the schools and young people at Stapleton and all of northeast Denver. It will allow students to pursue science and math at a higher level than ever before.” The Denver School of Science and Technology will be the second DPS charter school to locate at Stapleton. The first is the 220-student Odyssey School (K-8), an expeditionary learning school modeled after Outward Bound. Odyssey will share common facilities and play areas with a 350-student DPS elementary school (K-5) on a new campus that will open at Stapleton in August of next year.