Uniquely Kent Denver
As a leader among independent schools in providing extraordinary extracurricular opportunities for our students, these Signature Programs set Kent Denver apart. Click on the tabs below to learn more about each program!
MidFirst Bank
Gain financial experience. Grow as a leader.
In 1984, Kent Denver math teacher Donna Duvall-Serrano had a revolutionary idea—empowering high school students to independently operate an FDIC-insured financial institution on campus. First a credit union, and now a branch of Denver's MidFirst Bank, Kent Denver's student bank offers incredible hands-on learning opportunities for Upper School students.
MidFirst Bank
Hired by their peers, tellers in Kent Denver's student bank service accounts, accept loan and credit card applications and reconcile transactions.
Senior officers manage all aspects of bank operations, from scheduling to compliance. Other students work on the bank's marketing committee to encourage participation by students, employees and parents.
MidFirst Bank at Kent Denver is such a unique opportunity to our school, and I feel so lucky to have been a part of this wonderful program. Between learning more about the financial world, gaining valuable work experience, connecting with 6-12 students—as well as faculty—and building a community within the bank, I have had the best two years working at MidFirst. It is something I look forward to every day and truly one of my favorite parts of the school! Sasha B.Class of 2024
Program Director: Nikki Gordon
Innovation Scholars
Explore your passions. Apply yourself. Pursue greater understanding.
The Kent Denver Innovation Scholars program empowers students to pursue self-directed exploration and learning as they prepare for life during and after college. Students are surrounded by a high-quality network of outstanding teachers, mentors and professionals who provide personalized coaching and encouragement.
Innovation Scholars
With the help of advisors, Innovation Scholars pursue their path of learning in areas such as technology, design, entrepreneurship or experimental research. As seniors, students document their learning journeys through a portfolio that showcases how they engaged with fundamental concepts, established a professional support network, demonstrated impact in a community, developed expertise in a focus area and refined their ability to narrate their learning journey and personal learning style.
There are three types of student learning goals that our Innovation Scholars program supports: exploration, application and deep pursuit. Exploration is about exposure, for students wondering, 'What is this field all about?' Application is about accomplishing a specific project, for students asking, 'How can this field help me accomplish this specific task?' Deep pursuit is about immersion, for students asking, 'How does my interest in this field shape what I do?' Dr. Nick weingardtAssociate Director of Information, Innovation Scholars & Libraries
Program Leaders: Dr. Nick Weingardt & Cody Candler
Breakthrough
Creating opportunity. Building the next generation of educators.
Breakthrough Denver has a mission that is two-fold: to increase the educational and social opportunities of motivated, financially under-resourced middle and high school students through a quality year-round program, and second, to motivate and train talented college-aged students for careers in education. The Breakthrough program has been around for three decades and continues to impact the lives of students from Denver and Englewood Public Schools, as well as future educators nationwide.
Breakthrough at Kent Denver
As an organization, Breakthrough Denver tackles the two greatest challenges in education: closing the achievement gap for under-resourced students and addressing the national teacher shortage. Breakthrough places a strong emphasis on academics by delivering intensive and rigorous curriculum in math, literacy, writing and science. Simultaneously, Breakthrough focuses on providing programming to enhance leadership and social emotional skills.
Transformative Impact
We are proud to say that since 1995, Breakthrough Denver has served nearly 2,900 Denver and Englewood public school students, over 70 Denver and Englewood public schools and 1,707 volunteers, and has provided high-quality teaching opportunities to over 767 college-aged students! For 12 consecutive years, 98% of Breakthrough seniors graduated from high school, and in 2019, 89% matriculated to college. Our goal is that 100% of our students graduate from top performing high schools and 100% go on to college, and that we train effective teachers and create education advocates.
I’d never taught a class before my first summer with Breakthrough, so the first two weeks of our training was crucial to my growth. We have four teaching practice lessons—which simulate a class—and then we get feedback from our peers and from our Master Teachers. I felt so much more confident going into the classroom with our kids. I don’t know what I would have done without our training weeks. As a returner in my second summer, I was able to focus on my lessons and also connect with my students in an intentional and profound way. The best way I can describe this program is that everyone is here to grow. From students to teachers, we’re working every day to improve who we are, and Breakthrough provides us the space to do that.Kyle Paradis University of South Carolina-Columbia
REEFS
Travel the world. Explore the seas.
Available as both an Upper School club and Middle School elective, REEFS is a place for students to earn SCUBA certifications and learn about ocean ecology, marine taxonomy, marine surveying techniques and underwater digital photography and videography.
Kent Denver REEFS
Students will complete their SCUBA certification, learn about ocean ecosystems and then, at the end of the year, have the opportunity to go on an incredible marine science dive trip with their classmates to beautiful destinations like the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Honduras and more!
Learn more about getting involved with REEFS through our Clubs & Electives.
Learn from Professionals
Through the REEFS program, students take dive instructor classwork to earn their SCUBA certification, all while learning about our world’s oceans and developing a lifelong passion for conserving marine life.
Students will learn the basics of SCUBA diving both online and through in-class sessions with professional instructors in the Denver area. They will then have the opportunity to tackle open-water dives on their class trips.
REEFS is really fun. I really like the ocean, and I was really excited to learn how to scuba dive. One summer, we got to go to Grand Cayman and went out on a boat every day. It was so pretty, and the water was really pretty too! It was really fun, and the food was really good. It’s cool to be involved in something like that. You feel like you’re a part of something getting to do something fun with friends over the summer. Reina K.Class of 2028
Program Leader: Wendy Daniel
Contemporary Music
Jam with friends. Learn from experts. Perform on stage.
Kent Denver's Contemporary Music Program includes several award-winning ensembles, performance classes and academic offerings. Students interested in picking up a new instrument or expanding on existing skills are encouraged to look into our music offerings, from ensembles to vocal music classes and more!
Contemporary Music
With an on-campus recording studio and expansive rehearsal/performance spaces, Kent Denver has one of the most advanced secondary music education suites in the mountain west.
Our talented faculty of professional musicians is committed to educating and producing knowledgeable, well-rounded student musicians—while also providing ample opportunities for students to realize those skills by performing in front of a live audience.
National Recognition
Kent Denver's student ensembles have been recognized numerous times as some of the best high school ensembles in the country! In 2026, our world music ensemble, The 303, earned an Outstanding Performance honor in the DownBeat Student Music Awards. The accomplishment was announced in DownBeat magazine's June 2026 issue.
As teachers, we love to let the students participate in choosing the direction that music can take you. It’s a collaboration, but it should also be silly and fun. We create a safe environment for students where they feel comfortable trying new things.
Justin Adams Contemporary Music Program Director & Music Teacher
Whether you’re a beginner on an instrument or you have years of lessons under your belt, we meet students where they are at—empowering them to take that next step in their musical journey. We also aim to get everyone playing together as a community. Having these fun, memorable experiences with people who support us is so valuable to students.Zakk WootenMusic teacher
Program Leader: Justin Adams
Students can design robots, discuss geopolitics and more!
See how aspiring journalists and broadcasters develop their skills.
See how our students experience the world through extraordinary travel.