Rise Denver: 20 Years!
In 2003, The Rise School of Denver started in a donated church space with one classroom of eight children and an annual operating budget under $100,000. Thanks to the support of our community over the last 20 years, today Rise provides high-quality inclusive education, care, and therapy services for up to 55 children in our classrooms with an annual operating budget over a million!
Where It All Began
A group of 6 families in Denver united to research the best preschool option for their young children with Down syndrome. After visiting a variety of programs in the area they heard about the Rise School of Dallas. After going for a visit, they quickly decided that this unique program would be the one to best prepare their children for school.
A non-profit corporation was formed using the name Friends of Children with Down Syndrome of Colorado Inc. and fundraising efforts began for the purpose of starting a Rise School of Denver.
In April of 2003, The Rise School of Denver opened their doors to serve 8 children in one classroom, in a space donated by a local church.
By Fall of 2004 The Rise School of Denver had moved to a new space and served 20-30 children.
In September of 2005 a full time Executive Director was hired, 40 children enrolled in 4 classrooms and yet one more move was made to a third and more permanent location at 4901 E. Eastman Ave. where we remain today!
The Rise School of Denver held its First Annual Graduation celebrating two children’s transition to kindergarten; July 2007 we graduated 7 children from our program.
Where We Are Now!
Founding Families — Lifelong Friends
In October 2023 we had the unique opportunity to welcome back the founding families (and our now college aged alum!) for a mini reunion where much laughter and memories were shared, and a few very happy tears were shed.
Andrew Regan, who is a current volunteer AND part of Rise's founding families and inaugural class, has this message for everyone who has helped Rise come to life over the last 20 years! Watch here.
Class of 2024
Rise has provided services for hundreds of families over the last two decades and graduated more than 200 students with and without disabilities into kindergarten. Here's our Caterpillar Class who is preparing to become our next round of hardworking graduates.
Also pictured is our third longest-tenured employee, Kristin Kollach. Rise has been proud to be an inclusive workplace employing many adults with disabilities over the last 20 years, including Kristin, who is in her tenth year of being our Community Organizer.
Nationally Recognized
Rise Denver is a nationally recognized demonstration site for evidence-based early care inclusion.
We’re also one of the only Early Childhood Education programs in the country recognized for supporting preschool children with rare-genetic syndromes in a high-quality inclusive environment.
A Permanant Home
Since 2018, The Rise School purchased the building at 4901 East Eastman Avenue, remodeled half the classrooms, and underwent a major playground renovation - all of which made our school more accessible and inclusive so that young children with and without disabilities can truly learn, play, and grow together!
These significant renovations were of course made possible thanks to the generous support of our Rise Community!
Rise Therapy Center
In 2021, The Rise Therapy Center (RTC) was launched out of our community’s need for a family-centered bridge from early intervention therapies into elementary school. RTC provides individualized therapies for young children, while also ensuring that these services improve the quality of life and well-being of participating families.
Through RTC, more families than ever are being supported by our expert therapy team. For more information on these services and RTC, click here.
Flat Tuition Structure
Also in 2021, the Rise Board of Directors unanimously passed a flat tuition structure, meaning that families of children with disabilities pay the same monthly amount as families of students without disabilities, making our tuition equitable and reflective of our school's mission and values.
We are proud to provide donor-subsidized tuition for every single child at Rise, which is only possible because of faithful supporters who help us keep our tuition fees accessible and affordable for all Rise families, year after year!
