DENVER, CO – Escuela de Guadalupe, an independent Catholic, dual-language school in Northwest Denver, was founded in 1999 by a Jesuit priest and a Sisters of Loretto nun who saw a generation of Latino children losing hope in the future. It was a shaky start, and the school nearly closed its doors in 2007. But thanks to a timely story in the Rocky Mountain News and a surge of support from donors, Escuela de Guadalupe transformed itself and continues to transform lives by providing quality learning experiences for Latino families.
How it All Began
The journey of Escuela de Guadalupe began in 1996 when Fr. Tom Prag, SJ, was sent to Denver by the Missouri Province of Jesuits with a simple yet profound mission: to listen to the Latino community. Fr. Tom, along with Sr. Susan Swain from the Sisters of Loretto, immersed themselves in the neighborhood, discovering a community in dire need of quality education. They encountered children labeled as “lost,” with boys joining gangs as early as fourth grade and young girls becoming mothers at fourteen. Despite the high crime rate and socio-economic challenges, the community’s desire for a better future for their children was unmistakable.
In 1999, this vision materialized with the opening of Escuela de Guadalupe at the corner of 32nd Avenue and Pecos Street. Starting with just kindergarten through second grade, the school embraced a dual-language curriculum from the outset, honoring the cultural heritage of its students and families by teaching in both English and Spanish. This approach not only fostered bilingualism but also celebrated and preserved the rich cultural traditions of the community.
The Save-Our-School (SOS) Campaign
By 2005, the school had solidified its vision to become “A Catholic, dual-language school of excellence.” However, in 2007, Escuela faced a critical financial challenge. With a mission to serve low-income families who were largely unable to afford full tuition, the school’s business model became unsustainable. Faced with closure, the Save-Our-School (SOS) Campaign was launched. Local media coverage played a pivotal role.
Of particular note is an article written by Bill Johnson with the Rocky Mountain News. It started:
“The name of the school is Escuela de Guadalupe, which, given its origins and its current plight, is an entirely appropriate one. It needs a miracle or two.”
(“Shortage of money could close doors of opportunity.” October 19, 2007.)
This article (which is now rather famous in the Escuela community) galvanized broad community support and helped Escuela to raise the necessary funds to keep the school open. Bill Johnson followed up with a story on December 5, 2007 titled, “Escuela de Guadalupe finds funds to stay open,” and it noted:
“Word of the school’s plight triggered a flood of unexpected cash, including four gifts of $50,000.”
From Surviving to Thriving
This period of adversity highlighted the community’s deep-rooted commitment to the school’s mission, a commitment that continues to thrive today.
From 2008 to 2012, Escuela de Guadalupe experienced significant academic and financial growth, and decided to expand from K-5 to PK-8. By 2014, the school was searching for a new home to accommodate its expanding dreams. In the summer of 2015, Escuela relocated to a larger facility near 6th and Federal. Despite the longer commute, many families chose to remain with Escuela, a testament to the trust and value they placed in the school’s unique educational environment.
In 2016, Escuela realized its dreams and expanded to include Pre-Kindergarten and 6th grades, allowing students to continue their educational journey through middle school within the same supportive community. The culmination of these efforts was celebrated in May 2019 with the graduation of the first 8th-grade class.
The Proof is in the Numbers
Today, Escuela de Guadalupe serves as a beacon of success and hope. Nearly half of its students receive free or reduced lunch, and only a small percentage pay full tuition. Remarkably, students are fully bilingual by third grade and consistently outperform their public school counterparts in academic testing in both languages. Defying neighborhood trends, 93% of Escuela students gain acceptance into their first-choice high schools, such as Regis Jesuit, St. Mary’s Academy, and Colorado Academy, and an extraordinary 97% of alumni graduate from high school.
Escuela de Guadalupe’s story is one of inspiration, resilience, and the transformative power of education. It is a story of a community that listened, acted, and continues to thrive against all odds. This school is not just an educational institution; it is a cornerstone of hope and a catalyst for change in Northwest Denver.
