DSST Public Schools

What DSST Public Schools does

DSST Public Schools (originally Denver School of Science and Technology) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charter school network founded in 2004 that operates 16 public, open-enrollment middle and high schools across 8 campuses in Denver and Aurora, Colorado. The network serves approximately 7,500 students in grades 6–12 under charter authorizations from Denver Public Schools and Aurora Public Schools, with revenue derived primarily from per-pupil public funding and supplemented by donations routed through the separately incorporated DSST Foundation (a 501(c)(3) supporting entity). All schools are tuition-free and admit students via a lottery system when applications exceed seats.

The core product is a STEM-focused, integrated middle-to-high-school academic platform combined with an explicit character-development curriculum built on six Core Values (Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Courage, Curiosity, and Doing Your Best). Specialized offerings include the STEM Lab program (drones, 3D modeling, robotics), STEM Pathways at the high school level, the College Success Program with dedicated counselors, the CubeSat after-school satellite-design program, the E-Ship entrepreneurship track at Green Valley Ranch HS, a tech internship program at Elevate HS, and the DEEP college exposure trips for juniors. The technology stack is built on third-party EdTech integrations — Google Apps for Education, Clever (as the integration hub), NWEA and i-Ready (assessment), Engrade (gradebook), TurnItIn, NoRedInk, Newsela, Reading A to Z, Khan Academy, IXL, Autodesk, and others — with no proprietary AI/ML capability disclosed.

Go-to-market is community-led: families discover the network through the DSST Circuit blog, social channels, alumni word-of-mouth, and in-person events such as the annual Senior Signing Day at Denver Coliseum and the STEM Showcase at Colorado State University Spur. Strategic partnerships with Anschutz Medical Campus/UCHealth (medical-pathway Warp Week) and CU Boulder College of Engineering & Applied Science deepen program differentiation. The network reports 100% college/post-secondary admission for graduates, all six eligible high schools ranked in the top 8% nationally in the 2025 U.S. News rankings, and approximately 70% of seniors as first-generation college-bound students.

Name

DSST Public Schools

Legal name

DSST Public Schools

Website

https://dsstpublicschools.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

DSST Public Schools is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) operating 16 tuition-free STEM-focused charter middle and high schools across 8 campuses in Denver and Aurora, Colorado, serving approximately 7,500 students under authorizations from Denver Public Schools and Aurora Public Schools, with 100% of graduates admitted to college or post-secondary programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charter School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Charter School Networks (Multi-Site) (EDAJACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Charter STEM/STEAM-Focused Schools (EDAJACAG), Charter College-Prep & Advanced Academics Schools (EDAJACAJ)

Keywords

• Charter school education
• STEM secondary education
• College preparatory programs
• Public charter schools
• Middle high school education

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Per-Pupil Public Funding: As a public charter school network, DSST receives per-pupil funding from Denver Public Schools and Aurora Public Schools based on student enrollment. This is the primary revenue source.
2. Donations and Foundation Support: DSST receives charitable contributions from donors, corporate sponsors, and the DSST Foundation (a separate 501(c)(3) organization) to support programs, scholarships, and capital needs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DSST Public Schools operates a network of 16 free, open enrollment public charter middle and high schools across eight campuses in Denver and Aurora, Colorado, serving approximately 7,500 students in grades 6-12. The network delivers a STEM-focused, college-preparatory curriculum paired with character development built on six Core Values, achieving 100% college or post-secondary admission for graduates. Programs include integrated STEM Lab coursework, the College Success program with dedicated counselors, leadership pipeline development, and specialty offerings such as the CubeSat satellite program, E-Ship entrepreneurship, and DEEP college exposure trips.

Product overview

DSST Public Schools is a network of 16 public charter schools (8 middle schools and 8 high schools) operating across eight campuses in Denver and Aurora, Colorado, serving approximately 7,500 students in grades 6-12. The organization offers a unified STEM-focused educational platform with integrated character development programs. The product portfolio includes middle and high school STEM education, the STEM Lab program for hands-on learning, the College Success Program for post-secondary preparation, Leadership Pipeline Programs for staff development, CubeSat satellite building, E-Ship entrepreneurship studies, tech internships, and the DEEP college exposure program. All graduates achieve admission to college or post-secondary programs. The schools operate under an integrated school model with six Core Values (Respect, Responsibility, Integrity, Courage, Curiosity, and Doing Your Best) and are recognized among the leading open enrollment STEM schools in the United States.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DSST Circuit Blog: Official blog of DSST Public Schools featuring news, stories, and updates from the DSST community
• DSST Foundation

Products and services

• DSST Middle School Education Free public charter middle school program serving grades 6-8 across eight campuses in Denver and Aurora, combining rigorous STEM academics with character development built on DSST's six Core Values. Designed for secondary students in the Denver/Aurora metro area seeking a college-preparatory pathway.
• DSST High School Education Free public charter high school program serving grades 9-12 across eight campuses, with 100% college/post-secondary admission outcomes for graduates. Integrates STEM Pathways that connect to DSST middle school STEM Lab coursework.
• DSST College Success Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% college/post-secondary admission rate for all graduates
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration17 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Denver ColiseumminorOthers · 30 April 2026Venue partner for DSST's annual Senior Signing Day celebration event where graduates announce their college and post-secondary plans.
• Forney Museum of TransportationOthers · 30 April 2026Venue partner for Brunch Before the Bash fundraising event preceding Senior Signing Day.
• Colorado State University Spur CampuscoreOthers · 15 March 2025Host venue for DSST's annual third STEM and Creative Core Showcase, bringing together students, industry partners, educators, and families for STEM exhibition.
• Anschutz Medical Campus / UCHealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 August 2022Aurora Science & Tech High School has a partnership with Anschutz Medical Campus and UCHealth that provides students with real-life exposure to the medical field including campus and hospital tours, interactive exams run by medical professionals, and Warp Week where students take classes on the AMC campus instead of regular high school classes.
• Industry Mentors (CubeSat Program)minorOthersDSST's CubeSat after-school program is supported by dedicated mentors from industry partners who provide guidance on design issues, connect students with industry experts, and offer motivation during challenging moments.
• CU Boulder College of Engineering & Applied ScienceminorOthersSophomore sponsor for Senior Signing Day 2026, supporting DSST's college success programming.
• Denver Public SchoolscoreOthersAuthorizing school district for most DSST campuses. DSST schools are part of the DPS district and subject to DPS oversight and per-pupil funding.
• Aurora Public SchoolscoreOthersAuthorizing school district for Aurora Science & Tech campuses. DSST schools are authorized by APS and receive per-pupil funding from the district.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program): KIPP is the largest U.S. charter school network operating multi-site K–12 campuses with a college-prep mission and strong outcomes focus. Like DSST, KIPP runs an integrated network model, recruits from urban communities, and reports college persistence metrics — making it the closest structural analog for multi-site charter network operations.
• BASIS Charter Schools: BASIS operates STEM-intensive charter campuses nationally with a curriculum focused on AP coursework and STEM acceleration. BASIS is one of the highest-ranked charter networks and shares DSST's STEM-first identity, college-prep orientation, and integrated character/academics model.
• IDEA Public Schools: IDEA is a large multi-state charter network with a strong college-prep identity and high college acceptance rates among largely first-generation student populations. Comparable to DSST in scale of network (70+ schools), college outcomes focus, and equity-centered mission serving urban communities.
• Uncommon Schools: Uncommon Schools operates a multi-site charter network across the Northeast with rigorous college-prep curriculum and high college persistence outcomes. Similar to DSST in network structure, focus on historically underserved students, and outcome-driven brand identity.
• Success Academy Charter Schools: Success Academy runs a network of high-performing charter schools in NYC, with top state test scores and a STEM/academics emphasis. Comparable to DSST in multi-site charter operations, reputation for elite academic outcomes, and lottery-driven enrollment model.
• YES Prep Public Schools: YES Prep is a Houston-area charter network known for sending 100% of graduates to college and serving predominantly first-generation students. Closely mirrors DSST's 100% college admission metric, equity focus, and integrated middle/high school campus model.
• Achievement First: Achievement First operates a multi-site charter network in the Northeast with a college-prep mission and explicit focus on closing achievement gaps for students of color. Comparable to DSST on multi-site operations, college outcomes focus, and equity-centered identity.
• Green Dot Public Schools: Green Dot operates a network of charter schools across multiple states focused on college readiness for historically underserved students. Comparable to DSST on multi-site charter operations, college-prep identity, and equity-driven outcomes mission.
• Alliance College-Ready Public Schools: Alliance operates a network of charter schools in Los Angeles with a strong college-prep focus and high college acceptance rates for graduates. Comparable to DSST on multi-site charter structure, college-prep identity, and outcome-driven brand within an urban environment.

Broad incumbents

• National Heritage Academies: NHA is a large charter management organization operating 90+ schools across multiple states with a college-prep identity and is more established/scaled than DSST. Comparable as a multi-site charter operator serving similar demographics, though NHA operates more broadly and is not STEM-specialized.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/dsstpubschools
• YouTubem.youtube.com/channel/UCjFsYaT1oeKNqc6N4ZmdovQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/DSSTPublicSchools
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/dsst-public-schools
• Instagraminstagram.com/dsstpublicschools

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DSST Public Schools