Dora Moore Ece-8 School

Dora Moore’s teaching and learning philosophy is rooted in its vision and values (community, kindness, curiosity, and excellence), aiming for engaging, enjoyable, and appropriately challenging learning where students ask questions, think critically, and develop their unique interests and gifts. The school emphasizes “equity as excellence,” committing to give every child the support and challenge they need, while developing students’ identity, skill, and intellect through rigorous, standards-based instruction. Teachers collaborate through weekly planning and instructional coaching, and the school extends learning through community partnerships and frequent experiential learning opportunities.

Dora Moore (public DPS) enrolls students through Denver Public Schools’ SchoolChoice process; K–5 students are guaranteed a seat if they live within Dora Moore’s boundary, but non-boundary families must “choice in,” and ECE seats (ECE-3/ECE-4) are not guaranteed due to limited space. (moore.dpsk12.org) To apply, families submit one SchoolChoice application per student online by creating an account/logging in and ranking up to 12 schools; for the 2026–27 year, Round 1 ran from 10 a.m. Dec. 2, 2025 to 4 p.m. Jan. 20, 2026, with results (including any waitlist placements) expected in late February. (dpsk12.org) For requirements, Dora Moore notes ECE-3 students must turn 3 on/before Oct. 1 and ECE-4 students must turn 4 on/before Oct. 1; DPS also requires an additional Colorado Universal Preschool (UPK) application for ECE-4 (and notes UPK is also relevant for some ECE-3 applicants with an IEP for funding). (moore.dpsk12.org) If you are not matched, you may be placed on a waitlist; DPS notes Round 2 is processed first-come/first-served within priorities (not a lottery), waitlists are dynamic, and when a seat is offered families generally have 72 hours to accept; DPS waitlists for K–12 can remain active through September and ECE waitlists can continue into April. (academics.dpsk12.org) Admission priority categories vary by school and are used to order lottery/waitlist offers; DPS examples of priorities used across schools include district resident vs nonresident status, sibling priority, proximity/boundary-type priorities, and priority for students impacted by school closures. (dcis.dpsk12.org)