Jared Polis Foundation Education Report: Schools

The Academy of Urban Learning (AUL) is a small Denver charter high school serving youth whose education is at risk due to homelessness, unstable living conditions or difficulty succeeding in other school settings. The school’s goal is for students to receive a high school diploma and achieve economic self-sufficiency through a competency-based program and comprehensive social services for their non-academic needs.

On June 1, AUL held its second graduation ceremony and honored seven graduates who completed the school’s project-based curriculum, which focuses on the four core subjects, as well as portfolios and presentations of learning. The graduates also completed a senior seminar class that required them to plan for their future by applying for postsecondary education and writing a five-year post-graduation plan. Five graduates will attend a four-year university or community college this fall, and two are working and planning on enrolling at a vocational school or community college by December.

The Jared Polis Foundation welcomes the addition of Principal David Brown to the dedicated AUL team. Prior to joining AUL, David was an assistant principal for three years at John F. Kennedy High School in Denver and a school counselor at the Contemporary Learning Academy, an alternative high school in Denver Public Schools. David, who had a chance to meet with many AUL students during the principal selection process in the spring and also introduced himself to the AUL community during the graduation ceremony, is excited about this new challenge: “The students of the Academy of Urban Learning will be proud of their school! They will have a strong desire to attend on a daily basis to gain the necessary support and sense of accomplishment that will assist them in becoming contributing members of our society. I am excited to be a part of their mental and social development. This is what education is all about.”

AUL plans to grow to 80 students and the staff has also expanded to meet the needs of the enlarged student body. The school welcomes full-time science and special education teachers this year, who will join our other classroom teachers and our social worker. AUL students are lucky to have such dedicated, talented and caring staff working tirelessly and consistently to help them with their academic and personal growth.