Charter School Frequently Asked Questions 

DLS is a tuition-free public charter school serving around 970 students. Colorado has 179 public school districts, and over 110 of them have fewer than 1,000 students. This means we’re essentially the size of a small district, with similar responsibilities in governance, finances, staffing, and operations. If you have any questions, please reach out to camilla@denverlanguageschool.org.

1. What is a charter school?

• Tuition-free and open to all students

• Funded with public dollars

• In some areas, it operates independently from the local school district

• Governed by a charter contract approved by an authorizer (for DLS, that’s Denver Public Schools - DPS)

• Allows for innovation in teaching, learning, and school structure

• Held accountable to academic, financial, and operational goals

2. Why were charter schools created?

The Charter Schools Act (Sections 22-30.5-101 et seq. C.R.S.) states that charter schools were created "to take responsible risks and create new, innovative, more flexible ways of educating all children within the public school system."
They focus on:

• School-centered governance

• Autonomy

• Clear plans for how and what students will learn

3. How is DLS funded?

• Per-pupil revenue from the state (through DPS)

• Mill levy and grants allocated by DPS

• Fundraising and donations from families and the community

• Grants (state, federal, and private)

• DLS independently manages all financial operations, including:

• Budget creation and monitoring

• Purchasing, payroll, and reporting

• Following state transparency and audit laws

• Annual reporting to DPS and the state

4. Who is responsible for student enrollment?

DLS manages its own:

• Recruitment and marketing

• Application process

• Enrollment communications

Because enrollment directly impacts funding, every student counts.

5. What services and functions does DLS manage independently?

Like a small district, DLS oversees:

• Human Resources

• Strategic & Financial Planning

• Marketing & Communications

• Enrollment Recruitment & Management

• Fundraising & Development

• Enrichment Programs

• Assessment & Accountability

• Alumni Relations

• Facilities Oversight

• Volunteer Coordination

• PTO Collaboration & Engagement

• Schoolwide Events & Community Programming

6. What role does DPS play as our authorizer?

• Reviews our academic, financial, and organizational performance

• Requires charter renewal every set number of years

• Next review: 2026–2027 school year

Renewal includes:

• Academic outcomes

• English Learner progress

• Special Education services

• Financial audits

• Board governance

• Stakeholder engagement

7. Why is it important for staff and families to understand this structure?

Knowing how DLS operates helps everyone:

• See the “big picture” of our school’s responsibilities

• Work strategically and collaboratively

• Understand the “why” behind our systems and decisions

• Recognize that every staff member and family plays a role in our success