Chávez Huerta K-12 Preparatory Academy
Chávez Huerta K-12 Preparatory Academy is a charter school system in Pueblo, Colorado. It is divided into two campuses: César Chávez Academy (CCA), the elementary-middle school; and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High School (DHPH), the only charter high school in Pueblo. DHPH serves roughly 400 students in grades 9 through 12. The school's charter is held within Pueblo School District 60. In 2013 and 2014, DHPH was the only Pueblo area high school, including those in both District 60 and Pueblo County School District 70, to be nationally recognized by the "U.S. News & World  Report" as a best high school in the nation. History. Dolores Huerta Preparatory High (DHPH) was established in 2004 as an extension of the K-8 Cesar Chavez Academy (CCA), and as Pueblo County's first charter high school. The founders, Lawrence Hernandez and Annette Hernandez, envisioned a mission-driven network of excellent schools serving a diverse cross-section of Colorado's students. Lawrence Hernandez, a Stanford Ph.D. and former Harvard professor, spent one year traveling around the country to gather the most effective elements of transformational education. What would become DHPH followed CCA's educational excellence model by providing the  students of Pueblo County an additional option and alternative to traditional education offered by Pueblo School District 60. DHPH moved from the campus of CCA to its own building in 2007. DHPH and CCA were the core in what was the Cesar Chavez School Network (CCSN). The CCSN was composed of CCA, DHPH, the online high school, GOAL Academy, CCA-Denver, CCA-Central, and CCA-Colorado Springs. The CCSN proved to be a powerhouse in educational excellence. Lawrence Hernandez and Annette Hernandez were recognized by two Presidents, Clinton and Bush, for their accomplishments. After 10 years of what Lawrence Hernandez  and his wife Annette describe as "the most inspirational period in our lives". Henry Roman was hired as the new Executive Director of CCA and DHPH. Under the guidance of Henry Roman, Cesar Chavez Academy and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High were joined together as one K–12 charter school in Pueblo City Schools rather than two separate. Collectively, the schools are now called the Chavez Huerta K-12 Preparatory Academy (CHPA); however they are still called Cesar Chavez Academy and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High, respectively. It is only recipient of recognition by "U.S. News & World Report" as a "Best High School" in  the Pueblo community. Namesake. Dolores Huerta Preparatory High was named after Dolores Huerta, the labor activist that, alongside Cesar Chavez, led the United Farm Workers labor union. Dolores Huerta has visited both schools, and also visited DHPH during the grand opening of its new campus on West 18th Street in 2007. Early College Program. Dolores Huerta Preparatory High is currently the only early college high school recognized by the Colorado Department of Education in Pueblo, Colorado. DHPH introduced the Early College Program to the city of Pueblo in 2006, allowing students to enroll in collegiate level courses at Pueblo Community  College as early as their freshman year of high school. The Early College Program affords the students to enroll in courses at Pueblo Community College or Colorado State University-Pueblo at no cost to the student, excluding the cost of textbooks. DHPH reimburses students up to $150 worth of their textbook purchase, and DHPH also has an exceptional selection of college textbooks available for students to utilize during their semester at Pueblo Community College. Upon completion of 60 college credits at Pueblo Community College, students then have the opportunity to transfer their college credits to Colorado State University - Pueblo  where they may begin their bachelor's degree, all for FREE. DHPH consistently has the highest number of students that graduate with their high school diploma, and their associate degree. DHPH works to prepare students in Pueblo to become a successful contribution to their communities. The First Graduating Class. The first graduating class in 2006 consisted of three students. Scorpion Country. The school's colors are blue and gold. The school's mascot is the scorpion which originated from a school-wide competition in 2004. The schools athletics uses a slogan, "ScorpionStrong" to identify the strength of the unity that  the school possesses. Athletics. The Scorpions field teams that compete in the 3A Tri-Peaks East League in the Colorado High School Athletics Association (CHSAA). Fall Sports "Boys" "Girls" Winter Sports "Boys" "Girls" Spring Sports "Boys" "Girls" The school also possesses many different student clubs and organizations, which include the following as of the 2012-2013 school year: Mariachi Aguila. The Chavez Huerta K-12 Preparatory Academy boasts the only middle/high school performing mariachi program in the state of Colorado. Mariachi Aguila began at Cesar Chavez Academy and was proven to be very successful. In 2008, the Mariachi placed 2nd  in the International Mariachi Spectacular in Albuquerque, New Mexico.