The Rise School of Denver is an inclusive, therapeutic preschool whose mission is to provide the highest quality early childhood education services to typically developing children and children with developmental delays. In 2007, the Rise School was awarded the Charles L. Tutt Award of Excellence in Education by the prestigious El Pomar Foundation. Qualistar, Colorado’s premier independent evaluation program, awarded the Rise School either THREE or FOUR STARS every year since 2007. 
The Denver school is one of seven Rise Schools located in four different states. All of the Rise Schools follow the “Rise” philosophy that was developed by Dr. Martha Cook at the Alabama Rise School in 1974, and makes the Rise School unique and effective. All of Rise’s Lead Teachers have a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education with an emphasis in Special Education, and most of the Teacher’s Aides have a Bachelor’s degree or some Early Childhood Education classes. Additionally, the school has a very low student to teacher ratio of 3:1. Rise’s unique schedule is very important to the children’s development. The school operates from 8:00 am to 2:30 pm, eleven months out of the year. The longer pre-school day gives the teachers and therapists the time to assure every child reaches their educational and therapeutic goals. Integrated therapy is one of the most critical aspects of the Rise philosophy. Therapy is delivered into all classrooms five days per week and includes speech, occupational therapy, physical therapy and music therapy. Therapy goals are educationally relevant and are implemented collaboratively by the therapists and teaching staff.

Children developing typically benefit equally from the inclusive, therapeutic environment. They serve as role models for children with special needs while they learn important lessons in diversity. They also benefit from the therapeutic interventions going on in group settings. Beginning in the fall of 2009, the Rise School will offer an extended day program (until 5:30pm) and day care over school breaks.