Our History
The Beginnings
In January of 2002, local stakeholders such as the Colorado Small School Initiative, the Piton Foundation, the Stapleton Foundation, and the Sturm Foundation conceived of a Denver Big Picture High School. Organizers of this plan approached Big Picture Co-Directors Dennis Littky and Elliot Washor to bring their design to Denver. They hired Skyland’s founding principal, Jeff Park, and in December of 2002, the Denver Public Schools approved Skyland’s initial 3-year charter. The school’s first group of advisors is hired and a lease is signed with the Urban League of Metro Denver in Northeast Park Hill.
The First Year, 2003-04
Skyland opens in August, 2003, with 60 students, 4 advisors and 3 other staff. After six months of  successes in the first year, the Mapleton District of Colorado invites Jeff Park to start another Big Picture school at Skyview High School, which was being broken into smaller schools. Jeff transitions out, and his successor, Allen Smith, takes the reins of Skyland and leads the school into year two.
The Second Year, 2004-05
The school grows from sixty to roughly ninety students, and we had our first Gateway ceremony in September for juniors (class of 2006). At the end of year two, we have our second Gateway ceremony and graduate our first senior who receives a full ride scholarship and acceptance to fUniversity of Louisiana, New Orleans.
The Third Year, 2005-06
In Skyland’s third year, the school grows to over 100 students and moves the second floor of the historic Cole Middle School building in the Cole/Whittier neighborhoods. This same year, this school’s charter is renewed for a year, all graduating seniors are accepted into college, three seniors win the Daniels Fund full ride scholarship, and our first advisory (that of Arthur Baraf) graduates.
The Fourth Yea,r 2006-07
Former advisor, Arthur Baraf, becomes the new principal of Skyland. The Skyland population grows to 130 students. Once again, Skyland is granted a 1-year renewal of its charter. Our second advisory, (that of Eric Simonton) graduates with a100% college acceptance rate.
The Fifth Year, 2007-08
With its population steady at 130 student, Skyland’s charter is once again renewed; this time, for a two year period. Skyland graduates its third advisory (that of Jeremy Cooper) with, yet again, a 100% college acceptance rate. All-star seniors Anthony Weathersby, Jessica Ervin and Cedrick Brumfield get full rides to the colleges that they have chosen to attend.
This Year, 2008-2009
Skyland changes its name to Denver Big Picture High School. Former school board member, Mischelle Brown takes over as the school’s new principal. Denver Big Picture High School moves in to its current location at 1619 E. 35th Ave in the old Phillips Center.
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Board Meetings
DBPHS Board Meetings will take place on the second Wednesday of each month.
Meetings begin at 9am and are held at Denver Big Picture High School.
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