Together We Rise
DSST Public Schools Impact Report 2024-25
Nella García Urban,
CEO, DSST Public Schools
Glenn Russo,
2024-25 Board Chair
FROM OUR
BOARD CHAIR
Dear DSST Community,
It is my great pleasure to share this introduction to our 2025 Impact Report on behalf of the DSST Public Schools Board of Directors. This past year marked a powerful season of growth and renewal for our network, anchored by our unwavering commitment to educational excellence.
A Year of Positive Transition and Steady Progress
In 2024-25, DSST entered a new chapter with the appointment of our exceptional new CEO, Nella Garcia Urban.
Nella has been embraced by the DSST community and staff, and in her first year, has brought a bold vision, deep empathy, and a steadfast commitment to DSST’s mission.
Her leadership has strengthened our community, elevated our strategy, and inspired a renewed sense of momentum across our network.
With Gratitude to Our Board and Stakeholders
On behalf of the entire board, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to the people who make DSST’s success possible. To our fellow Board members: thank you for your strategic leadership and unwavering support during this pivotal transition.
To our incredible educators, leaders and staff: your dedication and commitment to the growth of our students fuels everything we do.
To our students, families, funders and partners: thank you for your trust, partnership and belief in what’s possible.
Adelante—Forward Together
In Nella Garcia Urban’s signature sign-off, she uses the word Adelante, meaning “forward.” It’s more than a word; it’s a call to action.
With Nella’s visionary leadership and a community united in purpose, we are moving forward, together, toward a future of greater opportunity, enduring equity, and lasting excellence for every student we serve.
With gratitude and optimism,
Glenn Russo
Board Chair
Impact Across
Denver and Aurora
-1.jpg)
-1.jpeg)
Success
The Class of 2025 continued the DSST legacy of 100% college or post-secondary program admission
Read More
UPDATES NEW & NOTEWORTHY
15 of 16 DSST Schools Are Green!
DSST Public Schools is excited to announce that 15 of our 16 schools have earned a Green rating on Colorado’s preliminary School Performance Framework (SPF), the highest number of Green schools in DSST history!
Read More
Unlocking Literacy
About 35% of students at DSST Public Schools are Multilingual Learners (MLL), and many have additional needs when it comes to proficiency in literacy.
Read More
A 2024 study by Bain & Company and Charter School Growth Fund confirms DSST alumni are thriving:
DSST ALUMNI SAY THEY ARE "THRIVING" - 17% HIGHER THAN CHARTER PEER ORGANIZATIONS
AVERAGE DSST ALUMNI INCOME IS $62K VS $50K FOR CHARTER PEER ORGANIZATIONS
ARE IN STRONG EARLY-CAREER ROLES WITH HIGH POTENTIAL EARNINGS GROWTH
OF DSST ALUMNI EARN A LIVING WAGE FOR THEIR REGION VS. 59% FOR CHARTER PEER ORGANIZATIONS
DSST ALUMNI SAY THEY ARE "THRIVING" - 17% HIGHER THAN CHARTER PEER ORGANIZATIONS
AVERAGE DSST ALUMNI INCOME IS $62K VS $50K FOR CHARTER PEER ORGANIZATIONS
ARE IN STRONG EARLY-CAREER ROLES WITH HIGH POTENTIAL EARNINGS GROWTH
OF DSST ALUMNI EARN A LIVING WAGE FOR THEIR REGION VS. 59% FOR CHARTER PEER ORGANIZATIONS
Honoring Excellence
DSST's First Distinguished Alumni Award
For the first time ever, DSST awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award at our Senior Signing Day Brunch Before the Bash. Read more about Ashly here.
Read MoreReimagining Middle School at DSST
At DSST, the steps to fulfill our mission start in 6th grade with a college-ready STEM program that ignites learning for every student, in every classroom, every day.
In 2024-25, we examined if we had the right systems in place to support all our students and underwent an exciting middle school redesign.
STEM LABS FOR ALL STUDENTS
PERSONALIZED SUPPORT & INTERVENTION
REIMAGINED DAILY SCHEDULE
Preparing STEM Leaders of the Future
At DSST Public Schools, learning soars beyond the classroom, sometimes to the edge of space. In the CubeSat program, students design and launch small satellites to collect real atmospheric data, applying their STEM skills to solve real-world challenges. The program is entirely student-led, with teams managing timelines, troubleshooting designs, and preparing for high-stakes launches.
Board Member Spotlight: Deanna Campos Miller
“I think public service is always important, but DSST sparked my interest because of its commitment to STEM. I also have a deep belief in its potential based on its leadership team and the work and commitment I have seen first-hand”.
Since joining the DSST Board of Directors in December 2024, Deanna Campos-Miller has made a powerful impact on DSST in her role on the Advancement Committee and, with our students, through her leadership of The Campos Foundation.
The Campos Foundation’s Summer Bridge Program supports students, especially those underrepresented in STEM, as they transition from high school to college.
Beginning the summer after freshman year, a cohort of 22 students from all eight DSST schools embarks on a four-year journey of mentorship, hands-on STEM learning, and college readiness.
Half of the participants will receive full-ride scholarships to the University of Colorado Boulder, and many are the first in their families to attend college. Through this transformative, tuition-free initiative, students gain the confidence and tools to shape their futures—and change the world.
Senior Leadership Team
Nella García Urban, Chief Executive Officer
Nicole Fulbright, Head of Strategy
Tamara Ghandour, Chief People Officer
Dr. Aaron Griffen, Chief Student Affairs Officer
Nick Plantan, Chief Operating Officer
Carrie Ramsey, Chief of Staff
Dr. Antwan Wilson, President
Each year, our Big 5 Goals serve as a strategic compass, defining the priorities that will guide our work, shape our decisions and drive our collective success. Looking ahead to 2025-26, our goals are ambitious, actionable and aligned with where we’re headed as an organization. Let’s take a look at what we’re aiming to achieve together.
.svg){kind=icon}
#1 Accelerate student proficiency to prepare STEM leaders of the future #2 Retain 83% of transformational talent across the network .svg)
#3 Cultivate joyful, high-demand school communities for over 7,550 students
#4 Achieve top quality, all Green schools on 2025-26 Colorado SPF
#5 Position DSST for future growth