{
  "id": 3146903,
  "title": "Denver Superintendent Alex Marrero reveals his favorite DPS school on first day of class",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/denver-superintendent-alex-marrero-reveals-his-favorite-dps-school-on",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T00:21:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Chalkbeat",
    "slug": "chalkbeat",
    "url": "https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2026/08/25/denver-superintendent-alex-marrero-visits-schools-on-first-day-of-class/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nLater, 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.\"\n\nMarrero 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.\n\nAt 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.",
  "summary": "The principal of Goldrick Elementary had a question for the “super, super smart third graders” lined up on the playground on the first day of school Monday. “Raise your hand if you remember one of the rules about being on the swings at…",
  "key_points": [
    "Superintendent Alex Marrero visits multiple DPS schools on first day of 2026-27 school year.",
    "Goldrick Elementary named his favorite school for college-preparatory environment.",
    "Marrero praised CMS Community School's fifth-grade teacher's recent state test growth."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Denver Superintendent Alex Marrero's revelation of Northfield High School as his favorite highlights the school's strong college-preparatory environment and recent accolades, potentially drawing attention and resources to the already acclaimed institution.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}