Northeast Denver Innovation Zone

Our Mission

The Northeast Denver Innovation Zone is a cooperative of innovation schools that are empowering leaders and educators, in partnership with their communities, to deliver an authentic and relevant education to students in schools that are unwaveringly committed to inclusivity and equity.

We are NDIZ, and we are building a model for the future of public education.  Collectively we believe

• That school leaders and educators in partnership with communities are best positioned to make school-level decisions on the allocation of resources, staffing, instructional decisions and practices, curriculum and assessment and student supports.
   
• In fostering equity and doing whatever it takes to close opportunity and achievement gaps, specifically for Black, Indigenous, and students of color.
   
• In keeping what is best for students at the forefront of all we do.
   
• In developing internationally-minded people through service learning experiences who are committed to making the world a better place.

Delivering on Our Commitments
Innovation Zones are a partnership with the Denver Public School district that provide participating schools with the autonomy and strong accountability they need to better serve students, teachers, staff, and school leaders. Innovation Zone schools appear the same as other schools; however, they operate under a different structure that emphasizes school-level autonomy over budget, staffing, curriculum, and an inclusive culture. 

The Northeast Denver Innovation Zone (NDIZ), established in 2018 as an independent 501(c)3 organization, empowers school leaders, teachers, families and community members to elevate the quality and equity of education for all students, in the NDIZ and beyond. We do this by liberating NDIZ schools to be agile in customizing curriculum, targeting resources and sharing best practices and talent.

The Innovation Schools Act passed by the Colorado General Assembly in 2008 provides a path for schools and districts to design and implement innovative ideas and practices and obtain waivers from state and local policies and collective bargaining agreements. 

The result is a localized network of schools where academic excellence, a spirit of inclusivity and authentic community engagement define us. Together with the larger Denver Public Schools district, we prove what can happen when the specific needs of a community are heard, met and exceeded at every turn. 

NDIZ is currently made up of four schools: Swigert International School, McAuliffe International, McAuliffe Manual, and Northfield High School. The Zone is governed by an independent Board of Directors and is managed operationally by an Executive Director.