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The Relentless Pursuit of Quality Education for Colorado’s Children

Who We Are

Foundation for Educational Excellence
Founded: 1997
By: Pat Hamill, Chairman & CEO Oakwood Homes and
Marshall Kaplan, University of Colorado at Denver
Organization Structure: 501 c (3) Non-Profit

Overview
Since its inception, the Foundation and its board of directors, in partnership with Oakwood Homes, has invested over $2.8 million dollars directly into the Green Valley Ranch and Montbello communities toward educational programs and reform initiatives, teacher/staff development, student recognition, new school development, and the creation of collaborative public/private partnerships to improve school performance and expand opportunities for students to pursue their dreams.

Vision
Sponsor educational research and applications that become the nation’s leading model for sustainable high student achievement and school/community revitalization.

Values

• Accountability – advocate program and student accountability

• Opportunity for all – promote programs which potentially benefit all children

• Parental Engagement – support active parental involvement in their child’s education

• Community Connectivity – help connect schools to their communities

Mission
Be a catalyst for the development and utilization of cutting edge educational initiatives that result in school and community revitalization.

Primary Program Efforts

• Early Childhood Education – support the development of quality early childhood educational programs that prepare children (birth to five) with the critical capacities/skills to learn.

• K-12 Education – partner with school districts, parents, community leaders and area businesses in the development of innovative learning environments that recognize children acquire knowledge in different ways.

• Community Involvement – establish community involvement among educators, parents, students, and civic leaders that promote schools as a centerpiece of community development and revitalization.

Foundation (desired) Outcomes

• Students that are passionate about learning and are prepared for life

• Stronger relationships among parents, schools, and their communities

• Be a role model for cutting edge educational research and initiatives

• Communities that are stronger and safer

Major Accomplishments

Martin Luther King Jr. Early College High School Revitalization Project

The Foundation helped lead an effort, in partnership with parents, community leaders, students, and DPS representatives in the development of a revitalization plan to fundamentally transform the low performing middle school into a 6-12 grade early college high school that will add high school students beginning in 2006.

Omar D. Blair Charter School

The Omar D. Blair Charter School, which opened in August 2004 as part of a master planned Shared Use Facility Complex, serves 800 students in grades K-8 and is managed by the award winning Edison Schools, Inc. The Foundation, which was one of six key partners in a board-based public/private partnership, helped facilitate the community process and development of the school’s charter board. The school facility enjoys the advantage of being connected to a City and County recreation center, outdoor amphitheater, and regional park. In April 2005, the Shared Use Facility Complex was a 1st Place winner of a Denver Regional Council of Governments Innovation award.

MLK Middle School and Montbello High School High Tech Academy

The 21st Century High Tech Academy was a partnership between Denver Public Schools and the Foundation, the private sector, institutions of higher education and the community. This “school within a school” is a college prep program that enhances student achievement through the use of technology, seeking to empower students’ understanding of technology trends. Teachers integrate technology to support and enrich the school curriculum in an interdisciplinary, project-oriented learning environment.

Future Projects/Efforts

In addition to the significant success of the projects listed above, the Foundation continues to take on the tough challenges facing education today in the metro area. Over the next several years, the Foundation will embark upon three new projects that will impact our youngest learners (early learning center), a design competition to create a state-of-the-art high school with Denver Public Schools (Green Valley Ranch), and a 20-year master planning effort for the E470 corridor that will witness the development of nearly 50,000 new homes and up to 22 schools (Aurora Public Schools). 

For more information contact: Kelly Leid, Executive Director (303) 486-8568

Contact Us
The Foundation for Educational Excellence
4908 Tower Road
Denver, CO 80249
(303) 486-8500
(303)843-0745 fax

Contact Info: Kelly R. Leid, Director of Community Development Services | 4908 Tower Road, Denver, CO 80249 | 303.486.8500