Information for Prospective Families

inspiring authentic learners

Round One of SchoolChoice for the 2023-2024 school year runs from
January 13, 2023 to February 21, 2023.
Learn more about the SchoolChoice process here!

Round One DEADLINE EXTENDED to Tuesday, 2/21!

The system that DPS uses to accept and process SchoolChoice applications, SchoolMint, experienced some technical issues during the Round One window and some families were unable to complete their SchoolChoice applications. To ensure that all families are able to submit an application for their student, the Round One deadline has been extended to 4:00pm on Tuesday, February 21.

UPK Application Extension: Friday, 2/17 to Friday, 2/24!

The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) is extending the Universal Preschool (UPK) Colorado application window. The UPK Colorado application window reopens on Friday, February 17 and closes on Friday, February 24.

During this window, ECE families who have already selected their providers through the UPK Colorado application can revisit their application to reevaluate their choices and ensure they still have the best providers selected to meet their needs. New families can also submit an application before the first round of matching.

As a reminder, UPK Colorado is not a first-come, first-served program. All applications submitted by February 24 are part of UPK Round 1 and will be matched together. Families can begin their application at any time and return to it as many times as needed before submitting.


McKinley-Thatcher Elementary welcomes you and your learners! We are committed to providing equitable and accessible information about our school to all interested families, so we have created a 100% online experience that allows anyone “visit” our school at any time!

On this page, families can:

  • See our in-person school tour and virtual open house dates.
  • View our virtual school tour and brochure.
  • Learn about SchoolChoice and how to apply.
  • Contact us to ask more questions.

Please click on the section heading you’re interested in to expand the dropdown menu.

2022-2023 School Tours & Open Houses

McKinley-Thatcher is hosting a combination of in-person school tours and virtual open house sessions for prospective families during the 2022-2023 school year.

Please note that an RSVP is required to attend an in-person tour or a virtual open house.

2022-2023 Virtual Open Houses
(Hosted on Google Meet)

Open Houses are about 45 minutes in length and include a presentation by our principal followed by an open Q&A session for attendees. Open Houses are hosted online using Google Meet.

  • Virtual Open House — Friday, November 11, 2022; 12:00pm-12:45pm; RSVP here.
  • Virtual Open House — Friday, December 9, 2022; 12:00pm-12:45pm; RSVP here.
  • Virtual Open House — Friday, January 27, 2023; 12:00pm-12:45pm; RSPV here.
  • Virtual Open House — Friday, February 3, 2023; 12:00pm-12:45pm; RSVP here.
  • Virtual Open House — Friday, March 17, 2023; 12:00pm-12:45pm; RSVP here.

2022-2023 School Tours
(Hosted in-person)

In-Person Tours are about 45-60 minutes in length and include a tour of our building, visits to our ECE and kindergarten classrooms, and an open Q&A session with our school leaders.

  • In-Person Tour — Friday, October 28, 2022; 9:00am-10:00am; RSVP here.
  • In-Person Tour — Friday, November 18, 2022; 9:00am-10:00am; RSVP here.
  • In-Person Tour — Friday, December 16, 2022; 9:00am-10:00am; RSVP here.
  • In-Person Tour — Friday, January 6, 2023; 9:00am-10:00am; RSVP here.
  • In-Person Tour — Friday, January 27, 2023; 9:00am-10:00am; RSVP here.
  • In-Person Tour — Friday, February 10, 2023; 9:00am-10:00am; RSVP here.
  • In-Person Tour — Friday, March 24, 2023; 9:00am-10:00am; RSVP here.

RSVP for a School Tour or a Virtual Open House!

Please click on the RSVP link above for the specific tour or open house that you would like to attend.

Please note that:
  • An RSVP is required to attend an in-person tour or a virtual open house.
  • Our in-person tours are limited to 12 guests.
  • Each in-person tour guest must submit their own RSVP (please submit two separate RSVPs for partners attending together).

Please contact our main office with questions or for additional information: (720) 424-5600 or McKinley_Thatcher@dpsk12.org.

Virtual School Tour

We are proud to share our our interactive Virtual School Tour experience! This virtual tour is a great way to see our grounds, building, and classrooms from the comfort and safety of your own home.

Virtual School Brochure

Use the arrows on your keyboard or at the bottom of our Prezi presentation to move through our digital brochure! We suggest using the full-screen option for the best experience.


What is SchoolChoice & How Do I Apply?

SchoolChoice is the Denver Public Schools application program designed to ensure all students have access to quality schools. Families complete a SchoolChoice application to sign up for a space at their preferred school. 

Round One of the 2023-2024 SchoolChoice program will take place from January 13, 2023 to February 21, 2023.

Please visit the SchoolChoice website for more information and to start your application!

New this Year:
ECE-4 FAMILIES MUST COMPLETE A UPK APPLICATION!

The SchoolChoice process for ECE families will be much different this year due to the new Universal Preschool (UPK) program that is opening across our state for the 2023-2024 school year. The UPK program, signed into law by Governor Polis in 2022, gives families access to 15 hours/week of FREE, state-funded preschool for all children in ECE-4 (and 10 hours/week for eligible ECE-3 students). 

To access UPK funding and apply for a spot in ECE-4 at DPS, families with incoming ECE-4 students must complete both a DPS SchoolChoice application and the UPK application on the State of Colorado website. Families are asked to apply as early in the UPK application window as possible to best navigate the new process. For more information, visit the UPK page on the SchoolChoice website

  • ECE Application Step #1: complete a DPS SchoolChoice application.
    Apply on the DPS SchoolChoice website during Round One (Jan. 13 to Feb. 21). You will not select schools here –  instead, you will list the schools you’re interested in on your UPK application. 
  • ECE Application Step #2: complete a UPK application as soon as you’ve completed your SchoolChoice application.
    Apply on the UPK website between Jan. 17 and Feb. 24 to select the schools you’d like to apply to. 

Have Questions or Need Help?

Please call our main office at (720) 424-5600 or email us at McKinley_Thatcher@dpsk12.org. We are always happy to help!