Creativity Challenge Community

Demographics

Percentage of students*

Why Creativity Challenge Community was nominated

Learning is hands-on: either in the community via many community partnerships or in-school via project-based learning in teams called Curiosity Crews. Partnerships include those with families and cultural organizations to promote cultural responsiveness. C3 was designed with the community of the School Choice program to democratize enrollment., Schools program is designed to lay the foundation for lifelong learning, integrating academics, innovation, learner interests, and real-world experiences. At C3, each member of the learning community is empowered to think creatively, achieve at high levels, embrace challenges, take responsibility for their own learning, and contribute to the learning of others. Innovative features of their program include: the creativity curriculum, community partnerships, and curiosity crews. Creativity Curriculum: The creativity curriculum is the centerpiece of C3’s approach to teaching and learning. It is taught and infused throughout all DPS curricula including reading, writing, math, science and social studies. Community Partnerships: On a regular basis, students at C3 are transported to local community partner sites (e.g., Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Art Museum) to extend their learning. These experiences are designed to expand both DPS curriculum and creative thinking skills in real-world situations outside the classroom. Students meet with multiple community partners throughout the year for multiple weeks. Curiosity Crews: Curiosity Crews are interest-based, student-driven, multi-age learning groups. They take place three times per year with 4-6 week cycles (on Fridays). Curiosity Crews allow learners to investigate a variety of offerings that they choose from to leverage their own creative interests. The topics are based on school-wide interest surveys. Past examples included space, poetry, sewing, and rocks. Teachers and parents act as facilitators for the groups. , Creativity Challenge Community (C3) fosters a learning environment that empowers students to think creatively, to solve problems, to learn in collaboration with local artistic, scientific and cultural partners, and to challenge and care for each other to our highest potential as leaders and learners. C3 emphasizes independent learning in a collaborative setting to develop kind, courageous thinkers., Learning is hands-on: either in the community via many community partnerships or in-school via project-based learning in teams called Curiosity Crews. Partnerships include those with families and cultural organizations to promote cultural responsiveness. C3 was designed with the community of the School Choice program to democratize enrollment., Throughout the year C3 engages deeply with community partners to support learning and to engage learners in interesting challenges and opportunities.

Student experience design

Mission Creativity Challenge Community (C3) fosters a learning environment that empowers students to think creatively, to solve problems, to learn in collaboration with local artistic, scientific and cultural partners, and to challenge and care for each other to our highest potential as leaders and learners. We emphasize independent learning in a collaborative setting to develop kind, courageous thinkers. Vision Students, families, caregivers, educators, and all community partners work together to create a strong culture of kind, courageous thinkers. At Creativity Challenge Community (C3), every member of the community takes responsibility for their learning and contributes to the learning of others. We embody compassion to ourselves, to others, and advocate for our community. We think creatively, achieve at high levels, and embrace challenges. Our collaborative community is committed to culturally responsive practices and restorative approaches, ensuring all students are seen, heard and celebrated.

Core Practices

Core Practices	Length of Use
Co-leadership	5+ years
Culturally Responsive Practices	5+ years
Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics	5+ years
Project-based Learning	5+ years
SEL Integration School-wide	5+ years

All Practices

AI For Teacher Productivity

Anti-racist Practices

Individual Learner Profiles

Mental Health Services

Performance Based Assessment

Restorative Practices

SEL Curriculum

key reasons for innovating