Thanks to the leadership and advocacy of Fr. Mark Kovacik, Principal Marie Dunn, and Learning Resources Coordinator, Andrea Berry, Sacred Heart of Jesus has actively worked to accept any child who wishes to attend their school, no matter their needs. They have utilized their resources to develop their special education program and have also developed creative ways to work with their local public school district to improve access to title funding and support. As a result, they have added a Special Education teacher to their faculty and now offer services including speech and occupational therapy. Their goal is to provide a Catholic education to any child who comes to them, working hard to ensure families with children with special needs are able to send all of their children to this amazing Catholic school. The FIRE Foundation of Denver is excited to support the great work Sacred Heart of Jesus is doing in Boulder.

St. John the Baptist has been a leader for Catholic school inclusion in Colorado. As principal, Dr. Kemmery Hill has spent several years expanding St. John’s ability to offer a Catholic education to students of all abilities. With the understanding that every student comes to school with different needs, her vision has focused on avoiding the “one-size-fits-all” approach. Instead, the teachers have received training in team-teaching, differentiated instruction, universal design for learning, and more. A dedicated space in the school building is utilized as a resource room for pull-out or specialized help. Students with special needs can work with their therapists during the school day in the resource room before returning to their general education classroom to learn alongside their typically-developing peers. Perhaps the most beautiful outcome of St. John the Baptist’s work can be seen in the community. Parents volunteer in classrooms where they can see the positive impacts inclusive education has on their children, and the parish community continually offers generous financial support of this inclusive mission. The FIRE Foundation of Denver is proud to partner with St. John the Baptist to make Catholic education available to all of God’s children.

St. Mary’s journey towards inclusion began decades ago with the establishment of a Reading Resource department. Through the contribution of several dedicated teachers over the years, the program expanded to serve students with mild needs. Over the past two years, St. Mary has expanded this program even further to support students with moderate needs and has now welcomed several students with more intensive needs. St. Mary is committed to sustaining and expanding our Special Education and Resource services.  Growing evidence shows that an inclusive environment benefits not only students with special needs, but also those who are learning alongside them. As we focus on inclusion, we see that having students of varying abilities helps all grow in the virtues of humility, charity, and patience. Typically developing students are benefiting from inclusion at St. Mary by walking a path to sainthood alongside their peers with varying special needs. The FIRE Foundation of Denver and the Archdiocese of Denver are proud to support such a strong program!

Annunciation Catholic School has been a mainstay in the Cole neighborhood of Denver for over 125 years. Their community reflects the diversity around them, and they inspire, challenge, and support their students to develop as curious learners, expand their understanding of the world, uncover their unique gifts, build strong character, and become good people who realize their potential. This includes, with the support of FIRE Foundation of Denver grants, students with special needs. Teachers and administrators from Annunciation continue to receive professional development in areas related to their student population’s needs, including inclusive education practices.

Celebrating the communities of St. Catherine of Siena and Holy Trinity, Blessed Miguel Pro Academy supports an integrated education, steeped in a Catholic worldview. Having participated in professional development over the past year, Blessed Miguel Pro is broadening their mission to create Disciples of Christ by providing inclusive education. In fact, the faculty and staff at Blessed Miguel Pro is being recognized for their strides in serving students with special needs. Teachers are stepping up to gain knowledge and experience in inclusive education. Following Fr. Pro’s example in life, Blessed Miguel Pro Academy is spreading their love for Christ to all those who seek Catholic education.

Most Precious Blood Catholic School empowers students to reach their highest potential through instruction and practice of the Catholic faith, in academics, personal growth, and social responsibility. With a new focus on inclusive education, MPB’s faculty and staff are ensuring their mission spreads to all those desiring Catholic education, regardless of special education needs. Community is at the root of their mission. MPB values the families’ role in the education process by providing a safe and accepting environment where they know they belong. Most Precious Blood helps build a foundation to foster a lifetime of learning and leadership, rooted in the commitment of love and trust in God.

With the support of the Fire Foundation of Denver, Saint John the Evangelist can foster an inclusive environment welcoming children with learning disabilities. They believe every student deserves an exceptional education grounded in faith, respect, and compassion. One of the key ways St. John’s promotes inclusivity is through their Intervention Team, which offers personalized support to students who require additional assistance. The team provides one-on-one and small-group instruction, tailoring their approach to meet the specific needs of each student. To provide comprehensive support for students with special needs, St. John’s has a dedicated Special Education Teacher and paraprofessional working closely with students and teachers. They collaborate with classroom teachers to provide guidance on differentiated instruction and classroom accommodations. St. John’s school faculty and staff employ various strategies, including pull-out and push-in methods, to ensure students receive the individualized attention and resources necessary to excel. Equipping their students with the necessary tools and resources empowers them to overcome obstacles and unlock their full potential. St. John the Evangelist  nurtures a generation of compassionate leaders who will make a positive difference in their communities, advocating for justice, equality, and understanding.

We are thrilled to join the mission of ensuring a Catholic education to all students and families who desire it regardless of disabilities. This is simply upholding the dignity of all those created in the image and likeness of Christ. At Wellspring, we encourage all students to embrace their humanity given to us through Christ and grow in holiness by uniting our humanity with His. We have a part time Director of Student Support who works with the family and education team to write a 504 and Independent Catholic Education Plan. She also works 1:1 with the students and teachers offering accommodations and modifications allowing our curriculum to be accessible. As a school, we provide teacher professional development to aid in the planning and instruction of all students and work towards a more inclusive environment. Being able to provide inclusion makes our community better.

In partnership with the Archdiocese and Office of Catholic Schools, FIRE Denver is pleased to provide a grant of $20,000 to support the salary for the Director of Student Support Services. This position will oversee and assist schools in educating children with significant special needs throughout the Archdiocese of Denver.