Brighton Standard Blade 011923 by Colorado Community Media

STANDARD BLADE B R I G H T O N

SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1903

75cI

VOLUME 120

Issue 3

WEEK OF JANUARY 19, 2023

Our in-depth look at the housing crisis

Graduation rates increase in 27J Schools for a fifth year STAFF REPORT

Trickling up: How housing is becoming less affordable for more Coloradans BY TAYLER SHAW AND LUKE ZARZECKI COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

A home means everything to Shelley Gilson, a 50-year-old single mother of three girls who works as a guest service agent at an airline. “It’s one word: priceless,” she

said. The rising cost of housing in the Denver area has made it difficult for her to afford a home. She spent years bounding around working for low pay, including to several affordable housing communities across the state.

Eventually, more than a decade ago, she found a home at Orchard Crossing Apartments in Westminster. It is an affordable housing community that includes Section 8 housing, the federal government program that provides vouchers to low-income families, the disabled and elderly. SEE TRICKLING UP, P7

In spite of a pandemic-caused disruption of academics, 27J Schools’ graduation rates increased for a fifth straight year, according to the district. The rate was almost 91 percent for the 2021-2022 school year, the district said in a press statement. For comparison, 27J matched Cherry Creek Schools for the third-highest rate. The state average was a bit more than 82 percent. The district also said it has the highest graduation rate among Hispanic students, students of color, English Language Learners, among homeless students, among foster children and among Title I students. Among its Adams County peer districts, 27J has the highest graduation rate for the fifth year in a row, according to 27J officials. The district has three high schools, Brighton High School, Prairie View High School in Henderson and Riverdale Ridge in Thornton. In the press statement, deputy Superintendent Will Pierce said the results are part of the district’s mission to empower today’s students to take control of their future tomorrow. When asked about its keys to success, Deputy Superintendent Will Pierce says it’s all about 27J’s mission of empowering every student today to take control of their future tomorrow. The district said it used graduation rates to make changes in its support of students as they finish high school and graduate on time. As an example, 27J said it took the profile of students in advanced courses and matched it with students of color who weren’t enrolled. The result, the district said, was an increase in the number and diversity of students taking higherlevel courses. In turn, the result was more students involved in the highest levels of learning. SEE GRADUATION, P2

LOCAL OBITUARIES VOICES CLASSIFIEDS LEGALS

LOCAL

2 • Main Street boutique 5 hopes to become the 6 spot 12 • Page 2 14

SPORTS • Riverdale Ridge hoops are on a rip

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