3620 Franklin Street - Wyatt Academy

Nestled in Denver's Cole neighborhood, the historic Wyatt Academy at 3620 Franklin Street is poised for a new chapter. In a recent 7 am school board meeting, the board passed a motion to keep the school open for the foreseeable future.

During a school board meeting, key issues were brought to light. Principal Melody Means expressed concern, stating, "We did not exhaust our options to stay open." The school faces challenges including slow enrollment growth, inadequate to cover expenses, and non-competitive teacher salaries compared to Denver Public Schools (DPS), with starting salaries at $47,000, 13%-17% less than DPS. This has led to a scarcity of highly qualified teachers.

Despite these challenges, Means emphasized the school's impact, urging consideration of its accomplishments and history. In terms of student recruitment, Wyatt Academy has initiated partnerships, such as with Clara Brown, hosting 78 families, and Vive, supporting Venezuelan families with Venezuelan teachers compensated by Vive. Additionally, there's a proposed collaboration with French American Schools.

The enrollment threshold to remain financially viable is 225 students. Currently, Wyatt Academy struggles to reach 200 students, amidst a projected 4% district-wide enrollment decrease by DPS. Board member Brandon Debenedet expressed skepticism about Wyatt's future student projections, considering the school's past enrollment challenges and the competitive landscape.

Katie Brown, another member, highlighted the necessity of program cuts, including Spanish and art, due to financial constraints. Despite these hurdles, in a surprising turn of events, the school board voted to keep Wyatt Academy open, with a vote of 5 in favor of closing the school and 4 against. A 60% in favor was needed to terminate the school's contract. This decision marks a pivotal moment for Wyatt Academy, reflecting the community's commitment to maintaining its educational legacy amidst challenging times.

For info on how you can help or donate to the Wyatt Academy please visit Wyattacademy.org.