Downtown Denver Expeditionary School

School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C

www.ddeschool.org

Charter School 259 Students

Elementary School K - 5th

School Overview

Downtown Denver Expeditionary School (DDES) is a public K-8 charter school located in the heart of Denver, Colorado. Committed to the EL Education (formerly Expeditionary Learning) model, the school emphasizes an inquiry-based approach that prioritizes student engagement, character development, and academic achievement. By integrating rigorous core curriculum with hands-on "expeditions," DDES encourages students to become active participants in their own learning, connecting classroom studies to real-world issues and the local community.

The school is noted for its diverse and inclusive environment, aiming to serve as a model for urban education by fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and critical thinking. Beyond traditional academics, DDES places a strong emphasis on social-emotional learning and character growth, challenging students to take responsibility for their work and their community. Its prime downtown location allows the school to leverage Denver’s cultural and civic resources, providing students with unique learning opportunities that extend well beyond the walls of the classroom.

259

Total Students

18.8

Full-Time Teachers

13.8

Student/Teacher Ratio

34.7%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for Downtown Denver Expeditionary School
Demographic	Student Count
White	143
Hispanic	75
Black	16
Asian	2
Two or More	23

White
143 (55.2 %)
Hispanic
75 (29.0 %)
Two or More
23 (8.9 %)
Black
16 (6.2 %)
Asian
2 (0.8 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Elementary School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Charter School
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	School District No. 1 in the county of Denver and State of C
Phone:	(720)424-2350
Website:	http://www.ddeschool.org
Grade Range:	K - 5th
Total Students:	259
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	18.8
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	13.8
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	82
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	8

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Kindergarten 37

Grade 1 38

Grade 2 46

Grade 3 41

Grade 4 59

Grade 5 38