Thomas Jefferson High School

Words cannot express our disappointment in this school. Our child has gone from happy and engaged to shut down and dreading every day at this place. The faculty’s response to bullying is next to nothing. Concussion protocol is not followed, and we ended up in the ER late one Friday night after our child was vomiting and losing consciousness. Our child has a teacher who, according to classmates, has “obvious favorites” and “you don’t want to get on their bad side.” I’m afraid this school represents the antiquated and outdated system for producing compliant automatons who value nothing but competitive achievement in math and reading. Kindness and compassion are after thoughts that get occasional lip service here. After stretching ourselves financially specifically to live in this district, it seems that decision cost not only a lot of money, but our child’s confidence and self-esteem as well. We will not be continuing with this district in middle school or high school, where children like ours will not thrive and could very well slip through the cracks. If your child is neurodivergent or likely to be the subject of bullying, I would highly recommend you look elsewhere. If you are the type of parent who teaches a baby to swim by throwing it in the deep end, then this schools district might be for you. So very disappointed.

Both of my children attended Holly Ridge, and it has been the absolute worst experience we’ve had with a school. The principal lacks strong communication and leadership skills, and there seem to be little to no consequences for student behavior. Unfortunately, the assistant principal has been even more difficult to work with.This school would benefit greatly from stronger, more effective leadership. The current environment is disappointing and, at times, frustrating.The front office staff has been kind and helpful, but there has been a lot of turnover as there’s been someone new nearly every year for the past three years, which adds to the instability.Overall, I would not recommend this school. We are very eager to move our children elsewhere.

I went to this school from 1st to 4th grade, and I can confidently say that out of the many schools I have gone to throughout my entire life, this has been the best one. The attention that students receive from teachers is excellent, they dedicate time and effort into the activities they assign, and work adequately with each student according to their needs. They are also emotionally involved, being concerned about how the students feel about their school, friends, etc. The environment is safe, classrooms are clean, with many outdoor spaces to play. Bullying is also taken very seriously. In my own personal experience, I believe that this school played an important role in what values I consider important today. Teachers are helpful and attentive and ensure that parents know what their children were learning. I look back at my time in this school fondly. I would 100% recommend this school to anyone.

As the principal of Holm Elementary, I am proud to say that we are a school that welcomes every child exactly where they are and helps them to grow to their fullest potential. Our focus is not simply on where students begin their educational journey, but on the academic, social and emotional growth they make while they are with us. At Holm, we believe every student deserves the support and opportunities they need to succeed. For students identified as Gifted and Talented, we offer services through our GT program as well as advanced math opportunities. For students who require additional support, we provide targeted interventions, special education services, Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language services, and dedicated adult support when identified through an IEP. Our commitment to the whole child continues to grow. Last year, we added a Restorative Practice Coordinator and a Liaison of Student Support to strengthen our Whole Child Model. This year, we are excited to add a second school psychologist to further support students and families. we believe social-emotional learning is woven throughout the school day and embedded in every interaction, not confined to a single scheduled lesson. Holm has consistently been recognized as an Effective School throughout Denver Public School's School Performance Framework and previously earned the Distinguished rating. In 2023, Holm was honored as a Center of Excellence by the Colorado Department of Education. While our achievement scores may not always be the highest in the state, our growth data consistently demonstrates that students make significant academic progress, often achieving more than a year's worth of growth in a single year. Family partnerships are an essential part of our success. We encourage families to advocate for their children, engage with teachers, participate in our Holm Helpers parent group, and attend the many family engagement opportunities offered throughout the year. We communicate regularly through Friday Folders, ClassDojo, social media and school-wide updates to keep families informed and connected. Holm may not always be the highest-performing school by every measure, but we are a school that believes deeply in the potential of every child. We celebrate growth, foster meaningful relationships, and work every day to ensure students feel supported, challenged and valued. Simply put, there is no place like Holm.

Yeas ago this school was a G&T magnet school. It was rated highly and had a stellar academic record. It was one of the reasons that we moved into this neighborhood. Since the change in leadership, that curriculum has been removed and subsequently the academic rigor at this institution has suffered. Currently it is a "decent" school but previously it was better. It was a bit of a disappointment. I would recommend reinstating the G&T program and focusing more on academics.