The Luminary Learning Network (LLN) is a new approach to education within the Denver Public Schools (DPS) system that provides greater autonomy for schools in the network enabling them to select educational models that they believe best accommodate diverse student needs and improve outcomes for all families served.
LLN is an independent 501(c)(3) jointly governed by community members, school representatives and DPS. This governing structure ensures autonomy, provides accountability (for individual schools and Zone performance), and manages LLN schools.
Schools that join the Luminary Learning Network become part of a newly established Innovation School Zone. The Innovation Schools Act passed by the Colorado General Assembly in 2008 provides a path for schools and districts to design and implement innovative ideas and practices and obtain waivers from state and local policies and collective bargaining agreements.
The proposal for the Denver Innovation Zone was developed in 2015 bringing together the best ideas for school regulation, systems design and autonomy. Founding school leaders partnered with the Gates Family Foundation to bring a proposal to DPS. This group engaged faculty, students and families throughout the process. The Gates Family Foundation enlisted the support of Empower Schools, an organization with expertise in developing in innovative zone models in Massachusetts, to provide strategic advisory support.
After meeting with DPS staff and board members to identify shared interests, including alignment to the Denver Plan 2020, the DPS Board passed a resolution in December 2015 asking LLN to submit an Innovation Zone application. In April 2016, that application was approved. The final approval for LLN came in June 2016 from the State Board of Education. There are currently six schools in the Zone, all of which had Innovation Plans renewed in March of 2023. For more information on those plans, please visit the DPS Family of Schools web page.
LLN membership increases a school’s ability to allocate resources and to tailor strategies and approaches to meet unique needs. Under the current model:
DPS reallocates funds to LLN schools in lieu of providing optional District services;
Schools determine the use of funds with guidance from LLN staff, in service of the needs of the specific school community.
This autonomy, coupled with LLN’s focus on accountability, will ensure schools accelerate student opportunity and achievement. As of the 2022-2023 school year, all six LLN schools met the State of Colorado’s Academic Growth expectations as measured on the School Performance Framework.
Recognizing the success of the the LLN, the Denver Public Schools Board of Education unanimously voted to expand the Zone in the 2023-2024, adding Merrill Middle School and Swigert International School to bring the LLN to a total of 8 schools.