So, what are we? The FASD-DLS relationship

Written By Greg D

Reminder: Independent parent group — not affiliated with or endorsed by FASD.

TL;DR

  • FASD's enrollment page describes the DLS relationship as a "strategic partnership" and "Middle School affiliation program." After a CORA request and 4.5 hours of staff research, FASD confirmed that no formal agreement of any kind exists with DLS — no MOU, no operating agreement, no affiliation agreement.

  • Good news: FASD fifth graders do have guaranteed enrollment in DLS's French track — but that guarantee comes from DPS SchoolChoice policy, not from a formal agreement between the two schools. FASD doesn't control it, and DPS can change it.

  • This came to light after 21 FASD fifth graders were waitlisted at DLS following Round 1 of SchoolChoice. The guaranteed enrollment appears to have been resolved through the normal SchoolChoice process — but the waitlist raised the question of what actually governs this relationship.

  • The absence of a formal agreement cuts both ways — strategic flexibility if FASD gets a larger facility, but vulnerability to DPS policy changes at a time when the DPS Board is charter-skeptical.

Parent Recap (What Happened)

1. Fifth graders were waitlisted

At the February 2026 Board meeting, it was reported that 21 FASD fifth graders were waitlisted at DLS following Round 1 of SchoolChoice. FASD's enrollment page describes the DLS relationship as a "Middle School affiliation program" and a "strategic partnership." A waitlist didn't fit that picture.

To be clear: the DPS SchoolChoice process does ultimately guarantee FASD fifth graders a seat at DLS (see section 3 below). The waitlist appears to have been a Round 1 process issue, not a loss of the pathway. But it raised a natural question: if this is a formal partnership, what exactly is the agreement?

So what: The waitlisting prompted a closer look at how the FASD-to-DLS pathway actually works — and what, if anything, governs it.

2. CORA request: charter provided, DLS agreement does not exist

On February 26, I submitted a CORA request for two documents: (1) FASD's charter contract with DPS, and (2) any MOU or equivalent agreement between FASD and DLS.

The Acting Board Chair responded promptly, providing the charter and stating that "to my understanding, FASD does not have documents that are responsive to the second part of your request." I sent a follow-up asking for written confirmation that no agreement of any kind exists. That clarification was routed to a school consultant, who — after searching administrative files, email archives, and contacting "cooperating partners" — confirmed: no responsive documents exist.

So what: Two schools operating a student enrollment pipeline have no formal documentation governing that relationship. The current administrative staff "were not part of these discussions between FASD and DLS when they occurred," per the school's CORA response.

3. Guaranteed enrollment exists — through DPS, not through FASD or DLS

The DPS SchoolChoice admission priorities for Denver Language School list FASD fifth graders as "Guaranteed Enrollees" in the French program — the same category as returning DLS students. This is a guaranteed seat, not a lottery priority.

However, this guarantee comes from DPS SchoolChoice policy, not from a formal agreement between FASD and DLS. FASD does not control it and has no contractual right to it. The DPS admission priorities document notes that the information "is subject to change."

So what: The enrollment protection is real and valuable. It is governed by DPS, and DPS can restructure SchoolChoice priorities in alignment with state law and Board of Education policies.

4. What FASD’s website says vs. what actually exists

FASD's enrollment page describes the DLS relationship using the following language (screenshot below):

  • "Middle School affiliation program"

  • "strategic partnership"

  • "FASD formed this strategic partnership with Denver's premier Charter language school"

  • "DLS will, in part, accept students matriculating from FASD on an on-going basis"

  • "We are extremely proud to have secured this relationship with DLS"

No formal agreement between FASD and DLS exists. This was confirmed in writing by FASD's CORA response. The enrollment guarantee that does exist is a DPS SchoolChoice policy, not a bilateral agreement between the two schools.

So what: The language on FASD's enrollment page describes a "strategic partnership" and "affiliation program." The documented reality is a DPS enrollment priority.

5. CORA process — progress and remaining questions

Progress: The charter contract was provided promptly, without fees or lawyer involvement, and it's now linked on the FASD website [3/10/2026 evening update: button no longer shows up, but link still works, for now]. FASD has also added a CORA section to its website with fee information — welcome steps toward transparency.

Remaining questions: It took 4.5 hours of staff research — and an attempted $144.80 fee — to confirm that a single document does not exist. The new CORA section itself also raises questions: it lists a $41.37/hour retrieval fee but links to a DPS memo on public records access that instructs requestors to contact DPS with questions. FASD is an independently operated charter school, not a DPS department; it is unclear whether FASD has adopted its own fee policy or is relying on DPS's. The page directs CORA requests to the School Director — a role currently held by an interim contractor rather than a school employee.

Correspondence: The complete email thread is linked so you can judge for yourself. Charter and DLS MOU CORA Correspondence

The “Since You’re Here…” Section

Unofficial reflections — offered in good faith (and with a grain of salt)

I want to be explicit: the section above is my attempt to keep things factual and balanced. This section is my personal perspective.

1) The absence of a formal agreement is a strategic vulnerability

There is nothing in writing governing the FASD-DLS relationship. No quality standards for the DLS French program. No curriculum coordination. No teacher qualification requirements. No enrollment capacity commitments. No provisions for what happens if either school changes direction.

The enrollment guarantee through DPS is real. But everything else about the middle school experience — program quality, curriculum continuity, instructional approach — is entirely DLS's decision. FASD has no formal say in what happens to its students after fifth grade.

2) This cuts both ways — and the Board should be analyzing both sides

No formal agreement could be a strategic advantage. If FASD secures a larger facility, there's no MOU to unwind — FASD could petition DPS for a charter amendment to add grades 6-8 and bring middle school back in-house.

But it also means vulnerability. The DPS Board of Education can change the enrollment guarantee at any time. In an environment where the DPS Board has a union-backed majority that has been historically cool towards charter expansion, that's not theoretical. A governing board with an active strategic plan would be analyzing these tradeoffs. FASD's strategic plan expired in 2025 and has not been replaced.

3) The website language should be updated

I don't think anyone is deliberately misleading families. But "strategic partnership" and "affiliation program" imply a formal institutional arrangement that doesn't exist. At minimum, the enrollment page should accurately describe the pathway: FASD fifth graders receive guaranteed enrollment at DLS through DPS SchoolChoice priorities. That's clear, honest, and actually reassuring. It just isn't the same thing as a "strategic partnership."

4) This belongs in the strategic planning conversation

Should the school formalize the DLS relationship? Pursue a charter amendment to bring back middle school? Accept the DPS-governed status quo? These are questions a strategic plan should answer. Right now, the relationship exists in a governance vacuum — no agreement, no analysis, no documented board discussion. That's not sustainable for a school asking families to make long-term educational commitments.

~ Greg

Want to learn more?

Addendum (3/10/2026 pm)

The button for the “FASD Charter” has disappeared from the “Additional Information” CORA section on the financial transparency page, but the link is still active. If you get broken links, please let me know at info@fasdads.org

Additional Information at 10 am

Additional Information at 10 pm

Greg D
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