Denver Superintendent Alex Marrero reveals his favorite DPS school on first day of class

On the first day of the 2026-27 school year, Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero took his back-to-school tour to several schools across the district. Among the stops was Goldrick Elementary, where Marrero engaged with third graders by demonstrating the playground rules they had learned, such as not swinging side to side or twisting. The students were lively in their response, with laughter echoing around the playground.

Later, Marrero visited CMS Community School, Goldrick Elementary, Rocky Mountain Prep Westwood, DSST College View, and Denison Montessori. At Goldrick, he listened to a fifth-grade teacher, Craig Sellers, outline his classroom rules: no touching, staying in one's seat, and no cussing. Despite the rules, the students showed growth on recent state tests, earning praise from Marrero, who compared Sellers to "LeBron James of reading instruction."

Marrero also visited charter schools, asking leaders about their start dates and student-to-staff ratios. Rocky Mountain Prep Westwood welcomed him with fruit smoothies, breakfast burritos, branded T-shirts, and a children's book, including one by Marrero himself titled "Ask My Amigos." The school had already started a week earlier, with sixth and seventh graders participating in activities related to the district's cellphone ban and anti-authoritarianism.

At DSST College View, Marrero met with eighth graders during a roundtable discussion. One senior named Angel shared how the new cellphone ban had helped him focus, while another eighth grader asked Marrero about his favorite DPS school. Marrero played it cool, saying he didn't have a favorite, but ultimately chose Northfield High School as his favorite. He cited its college-preparatory environment, his proximity to the school, and its recent recognition as the best high school in Colorado by U.S. News and World Report.