School Profile

2009 - 2010 Campus Census:
Total student enrollment:		466
Total teachers:		21
Total paraprofessionals:		10
Total special staff:		5
Total support staff:		12
Total administration:		3

The School Touchstone:
Every morning after reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, teachers and students affirm the school's outlook and philosophy:
At University Park, we are a caring community of learners who are respectful and responsible. We share a love of discovery and take joy in our journey.

How to find U-Park Elementary:

Cool School Facts:

As of 2007: Our students spoke fifteen different languages. U-Park had won more awards than any other DPS elementary school. More than half of U-Park's teachers had received specialized training in teaching gifted children. U-Park had teachers for music, integrated art, science, PE, library, and gifted studies. U-Park participated in a DPS pilot nutrition program and promotes a healthful snack program on campus. DPS had recognized U-Park as a Distinguished School in meeting or exceeding district guidelines. Our fifth-graders had won nine out of the last eleven Trivia Bowls at the annual DPS Shakespeare festival. U-Park teachers had won more Outstanding Teacher Awards than any other elementary school in the DPS system.

History:
University Park Elementary School was once known as "the little red brick schoolhouse" to neighborhood residents. John Babock, a town trustee and legislator, owned several acres in University Park. In the 1890s, Babock donated a portion of his estate to the school and served as the school's benefactor for more than 15 years. The school was built in 1893 to serve the children of the University of Denver's faculty and staff.
After the University of Denver moved from downtown to its current location, the population of the neighborhood grew steadily. At the time, the University purchased a large amount of land in the area and sold lots to individuals for $150 each. University Park's first PTA was organized in 1914 and was seventeen members strong.
In 1924, the school added a Spanish-style expansion designed by architect Lester Varian, who also designed the Phipps mansion. The building was considered cutting edge architecture as it was equipped with five classrooms, a teachers' room, lockers, a shower room, a clinic, and fire-proof corridors. During that same year, the school became the training school for student teachers from the University.
In the 1940s, the school could no longer handle the large numbers of student teachers and returned exclusively to educating of the area's children. By 1948, the school ran double sessions to cope with over-crowding. The following year, the building was expanded with an auditorium, eighteen classrooms, two kindergarten rooms, a new room for teachers, a cafeteria, PTA kitchen, visual aid room, and library.

This page was last updated: Friday, September 18, 2009 at 10:00:17 PM
Copyright © 2009 University Park Elementary School