Denver to Close Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy

The Denver Public Schools facility will shut down permanently following the conclusion of the 2026-2027 school year.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Secondary Education

Denver to Close Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy

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Denver Public Schools will close the Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy at the end of the 2026-2027 school year due to unsustainable enrollment levels. The decision follows a steady decline in the number of students choosing the specialized institution.

Why it matters

The school serves as a case study for the district as it balances specialized academic programs with broader fiscal stability. With total district enrollment dropping by 1,780 students in fall 2026, administrators are moving to consolidate resources.

The school currently serves only 24 students, a sharp decline from the 135 students enrolled in 2022. The district initiated the closure after freshman applications fell below 20 this year.

The players

Alex Marrero

He serves as the Superintendent of Denver Public Schools and initiated the operational closure process.

Brandon Pryor

He is the founder of the school who was previously banned from district grounds by the school board.

Denver Public Schools

This is the public school district responsible for overseeing the administration and closure of the academy.

The details

Superintendent Alex Marrero utilized an operational closure process, which does not require a vote from the elected school board, to shutter the academy. The school, which lacks a defined geographic boundary, previously struggled with low interest after relocating 10 miles away in 2023.

The school board ordered the district to assist with the parent group application in 2019.
The Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy officially opened in fall 2021.
The school completed a relocation to a new building 10 miles away in 2023.
Denver Public Schools experienced a decrease of 1,780 students in fall 2026.
The school is scheduled to close permanently at the end of the 2026-2027 school year.

Culture Shift

The move reflects a broader trend of district-wide consolidation in Denver as officials navigate shifting demographics and lower overall public school demand. This institutional approach follows the precedent set by the Denver Public Schools operational closure policy.

Families currently enrolled at the academy will need to coordinate with the district to identify alternative school placements for the upcoming academic cycle. The closure will eliminate this specific choice for students who previously relied on the school's unique, boundary-free enrollment model.

The takeaway

The closure highlights the ongoing challenges of sustaining specialized academies when they fail to meet minimum enrollment thresholds. Parents should monitor future district announcements regarding potential school consolidations in other parts of the city.