Registering with DPS (Denver Public Schools) or navigating its "choice" system can be confusing! We aim to support all families with resources and helpful links to get you on your way. If you have any questions, please email membership@tellerpta.org.

 

 

SCHOOL CHOICE - 2023

School choice opens January 13th at 10 am and ends February 14th at 4 pm. DPS has an application guide in multiple languages on how to create an account and apply for those who are new to DPS. Current DPS families can just use their Parent Portal username and Password.  

 

REGISTERING FOR ECE

*NEW* The SchoolChoice process for ECE families will be much different than in previous years. ECE-3 and ECE-4 families must complete both a SchoolChoice application and a UPK Colorado application. The UPK Colorado application will open on Tuesday, Jan. 17 and close Feb. 15 -- please note that this window and application is separate from our DPS SchoolChoice window and application (Jan. 13-Feb. 14). 
 
ECE is run as a true district-wide lottery program. There is no guarantee of a spot in student's nearest or neighborhood school for ECE. Under the new state program called Universal Preschool (UPK) Colorado, families will be following the CDEC’s new application and lottery process to match their child with quality voluntary preschool at more than 80 schools in DPS or through private providers. There are a lot of unknowns, so families are encouraged to apply early to best navigate this new process.
 
For more detailed information, read this letter (letters in other languages are available here). Given that this is a brand new program and system, we encourage schools and families to continue checking the UPK Colorado webpage and the DPS UPK Colorado landing page regularly for updates.

 

REGISTERING FOR KINDERGARTEN OR OTHER GRADES

We recommend reviewing the DPS Choice & Application Guide which offers a step-by-step guide that takes parents through setting up a DPS Portal account, finding their neighborhood school (or alternative choices) and actually applying to those schools. Multiple languages are available. 

Students are guaranteed spots in their neighborhood school, but may apply to other schools, district-wide. 

Additional links (most are included in the above guide):

 

REGISTERING FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL

Start here: Secondary School Enrollment Guide 

The middle school choice process is much the same as for elementary - students are guaranteed spots in their neighborhood schools, but many other choices are available. Parents will want to contact middle schools individually to find out about tours or shadowing opportunities, as each school does this differently. We are hoping to launch a "Connect to Middle School" program for next year to assist Teller families with the process.