New School Named After Education Pioneer
DENVER (CBS4)- Applause rang out as Denver Public Schools Superintendent Tom Boasberg officially opened the Regis F. Groff campus in northeast Denver.
"It feels really amazing," said student KJ Ector.
Wednesday's ribbon cutting ceremony celebrated the $25 million project that will house two high schools—the Kipp Northeast Leadership Academy and STRIVE Prep-RISE. The schools are located in an area that is often overlooked by DPS.
"It sends a really strong message to them that they matter. That they get to come into a brand new building, where they can come into the classrooms and feel inspired every day and know that this was put here specifically for them to help them reach their goals," said STRIVE Prep-RISE spokeswoman Chyrise Harris.
The campus is named after the late Regis F. Groff, a legendary DPS teacher, university professor and Colorado state Senator.
Student Francisco Arballo said Groff's commitment to education in the Green Valley Ranch neighborhood will change his life.
"It's an amazing opportunity to be going here because all the learning, the studying that we do, it prepares us not just for graduation from high school, because our goal isn't just to graduate high school, we think beyond that. Our goal is to graduate from college," said Arballo.
The new school named after the education pioneer will allow students a chance to dream about their future.
"It makes me feel like if he can accomplish it, so can I," said Ector.