On May 6, in Manual High School’s library, a diverse tapestry of approximately 30 voices and faces gathered. It was a convergence of hopes, aspirations and a shared commitment to an educational vision unlike any other in Denver.
Organized by Paige Gervanovic, the director of authorizing and accountability with Denver Public Schools, the meeting unveiled an ambitious proposal for the 5280 Freedom School—a signal of change in Denver’s educational landscape. Each year Gervanovic’s team runs a review process for founders of charter schools to submit proposals, which are reviewed by DPS district staff, the district accountability committee and the surrounding community. The process concludes with a final evaluation report for the district’s superintendent, Alex Marrero, to review. He then sends his recommendation to the board.
“The purpose of this meeting is to allow Branta [Lockett] to share her vision for 5280 Freedom School with you all and also to offer an opportunity for you all to ask questions and provide feedback,” Gervanovic said at the start of the meeting.
At the helm of this initiative is Branta Lockett, the co-founder and executive director of the 5280 Freedom School. With a presence both commanding and compassionate, Lockett narrated the school’s genesis—a tale that began with a simple summer camp but soon burgeoned into a movement for educational equity. She stood in front of community members to reapply for charter school designation.
“Our students and educators found something special in those summer camps: a sense of belonging, of empowerment. It was a glimpse into what education could be, and it set us on a path to something greater,” Lockett said.
In the landscape of Denver’s educational system, the emergence of the 5280 Freedom School represents a beacon of hope and empowerment. Lockett passionately articulated the school’s mission as a vital response to the systemic anti-Black oppression prevalent in the region’s public schools.
“The 5280 Freedom School is just one answer, right, to helping to combat the oppression, the anti-Black oppression that we’re seeing in our public schools here in the Denver metro area,” Lockett said.
Central to the school’s ethos is the creation of safe and nurturing learning environments conducive to academic exploration and growth for all students. Lockett emphasized the school’s commitment to fostering a disciplinary approach that honors and respects each child’s individuality.
“We are making sure that our discipline policies are not punitive, but instead are restorative and honors children and honors them for who they are,” she explained.
Lockett underscored the importance of culturally responsive and sustaining practices in achieving this goal.
“We’re creating places where Black, Indigenous, and people of color can exist through racism,” she said.
The pedagogical approach adopted by the school is rooted in inquiry-based learning and culturally responsive teaching methods, aiming to engage students intellectually while affirming their cultural identities. The school is dedicated to equipping its students with the skills and mindset necessary for independent thinking and lifelong learning. The school plans to draw from the work of Zaretta Hammond, who focuses on culturally responsive teaching practices.
“We engage students through inquiry-based learning, also known as problem-based learning, and culturally responsive and sustaining practices,” the co-founder said. “We prepare our students to develop habits of mind that lead them to becoming independent learners and thinkers.”
As the 5280 Freedom School prepares to open its doors, it symbolizes a transformative force in Denver’s educational landscape, offering a vision of educational equity and empowerment for all students, particularly those historically marginalized.
“Our school will be a sanctuary, a place where Black, Indigenous, and people of color can not only learn but thrive,” she said. “Every aspect of our curriculum will reflect the rich diversity and heritage of our students, empowering them to embrace their identities and shape their own futures.”
The audience erupted into applause. But the vision didn’t end there. Logistical details were meticulously laid out—timelines for authorization, strategies for recruitment and plans for community engagement.
5280 Freedom School was initially meant to open during the fall of 2023, but fell short of its target number for student enrollment and was not given additional time. If their target recruitment is met by this summer, 5280 will be opened in the fall of 2025 in Five Points near 27th Avenue and Welton Street.
“Last time around, we were only open to kindergarten and first grade, and this time it’s actually kindergarten through sixth grade since we’ll be using the multi-age classrooms,” Lockett said. “We’re hoping that by expanding the grade levels offered, that we’ll be able to support more families, especially families with children in different grade levels.”
Attendees at the community meeting were urged to not only support the initiative but to actively participate in its realization.
Charles Foster, representing the Rocky Mountain Tour Guide Association, spoke about the broader impact of the 5280 Freedom School.
“This isn’t just about education,” he said. “It’s about revitalizing our communities, empowering our youth, and building a brighter future for all.”
As the meeting drew to a close, it was clear that the 5280 Freedom School had struck a chord—one resonating not just within the walls of the library but reverberating throughout the city of Denver.
“This isn’t just a school,” remarked one attendee. “It’s a movement. A movement for change, for justice, for a better tomorrow.”
With community support and the unwavering dedication of its founders, the 5280 Freedom School stood poised to chart a new course defined not just by educational excellence but by a steadfast commitment to equity, inclusion, and the boundless potential of every student who walked through its doors.
