Posted February 12, 2026
Thank you for reviewing our Innovation School renewal application. I was drawn to Compassion Road based on the original mission and reputation of this unique model. Now that I am in my fourth year at, I have the knowledge and experience to make a few updates in service of students. Because we are rated GREEN on the State Performance Framework for the second year in a row, the changes we are proposing are refinements of the existing systems which have proven successful. The in-building DCTA representative and I have worked closely on the application and have received feedback from the School Leadership Team, our full staff, students, families and the Collaborative School Committee.
Compassion Road is grounded in the motto that we provide students with the support they deserve to pursue the dreams of their hearts. The 1-1 counseling model, our focus on trauma-informed teaching, the Enrichment period for elective credit, and our restorative approach to conflict resolution have earned us the reputation across the district as THE pathway school for mental health support. It is because of the unique flexibilities in our Innovation Plan that we are able to be a nationally recognized program for the “whole child.” Our enrollment has increased by 47% since 2022. We track social emotional/mental health data and it is clear that our unique approach is working in bringing about healing and resolving incidences of depression, anxiety and trauma. Our model is based on the research that a healthy body and spirit nurture the intellectual side of our being.
The Innovation Plan allows us to support a variety of programs and opportunities for our students and their families. The scheduling flexibilities support our renowned Enrichment Program period of the day, when students can engage in the self care and mindfulness that pursuits such as yoga, outdoor adventure, art muraling, cooking and music production nurture. Innovation status has also given CRA flexibility with teacher and staff schedules/work year which support them; we show up to work ready to care for and teach some of the most at-risk and marginalized students in Denver Public Schools. Returning to school with more planning days than the contracted five, and providing for three additional PD days throughout the year allow us to support our teachers with compassion fatigue, innovative planning for credit recovery and creative brainstorming for Enrichment classes. We work tirelessly to support a culture of healing and academic equity and achievement; the Innovation Plan is the foundation for us to do so.
Because of our consistent Green status on the SPF, the changes to the innovation plan are minimal: new goals aligned with district guidelines, our UIP and updated data trends; clarifying language for our lunch break related to waiving Article 8-2-1; refining language for our Enrichment Period. CRA will continue with the existing PE waiver which gives us the flexibility to ensure students engage in in-person elective opportunities for credit rather than relying too heavily on Edgenuity/online options. Another celebration and indication of the effectiveness of our Innovation status is the graduation data during the last innovation cycle: the 4 year graduation rate for the class of 2022 was 40%; class of 2023 was 50%; class of 2024 was 65%; and the class of 2025 4 year graduation rate was 85%!
In addition to adjusting the teacher return to work data in August and allowing for three additional teacher planning days throughout the year, amending the teacher workday to allow for a shortened lunch for students is a key piece of the Innovation Plan. Many of our students come to Compassion Road due to attendance issues at their previous school. Maintaining a closed campus and a shorter lunch is an important logistical support for our students and staff. Innovation Status allows for this scheduling flexibility.
After communicating the intent for minor revisions based on Green SPF status, beginning in November, Innovation Plan updates are a regular agenda item at the weekly School Leadership Team meetings and the quarterly Collaborative School Committee meetings. The DCTA representative presented the draft Innovation Plan to the staff on November 14, 2025. Staff, students, parents and community members were invited to the CSC meeting scheduled for December 4. The letter was posted on the website beginning November 6th. Reminder messages about the community meeting were sent to staff, students and families via voicemail and text message on December 1 and December 3. The community meeting was part of the CSC meeting on December 4. The CSC is composed of various stakeholders, including parents, students and community members. On February 1, the principal and the DCTA representative presented to the whole staff and opened the timeline for comment. On March 24th the final application will be submitted to the Office of Innovation, after which the school and the Office of Innovation will enter into a period of edits and resubmission, until all stakeholders have agreed upon the presented language in the plan.
Best,
Vicky Virnich