Denver Public Schools Cancel Classes Due to Heat Wave

News Summary

Denver Public Schools announces the cancellation of classes at 13 schools due to a forecasted extreme heat wave. With temperatures expected to approach 99 degrees, early dismissals are planned for some elementary schools. The district faces challenges in ensuring comfortable learning environments as they work to improve air conditioning in schools. Other districts in the region are also adjusting schedules in response to the intense heat. The ongoing efforts to equip schools with air conditioning highlight the impact of climate conditions on education.

Denver – Denver Public Schools (DPS) has announced the cancellation of classes at 13 schools on August 21, 2025, due to a forecasted extreme heat wave. The National Weather Service predicts that temperatures could soar to nearly 99 degrees in the Denver area on that day.

The schools that will be closed include Skinner Middle School, Johnson Elementary, and Bryant Webster ECE-8. In addition, Johnson Elementary will dismiss students early at 12:30 PM, while Bryant Webster will release at 12:20 PM. Both schools plan to provide lunch to students before they are sent home. Bus services will operate normal routes at these adjusted dismissal times for schools releasing early.

DPS has acknowledged that the closure can create unexpected challenges for families. Notifications regarding heat-related closures or early dismissals will be sent directly to families by 5 PM the evening prior to the event. It is also important to note that all Little Links and Discovery Link programming will be canceled at the affected schools.

The district has been actively working to improve air conditioning facilities in schools, motivated by the increasing temperatures and comfort needs of students. A nearly $1 billion bond was passed last year, allocating $240 million specifically toward the initiative of equipping schools with air conditioning. However, despite recent progress, there remain 27 schools that still require installation of air conditioning systems.

Before the current school year began, Doull Elementary and Ellis Elementary successfully completed air conditioning installations. DPS has set an ambitious goal to ensure that all schools are equipped with air conditioning by 2028. However, installation progress at Skinner Middle School has faced delays due to asbestos found in the building, pushing expected completion to 2026.

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Additional Resources

• CBS News: Multiple Denver schools cancel classes early release due to extreme heat
• Wikipedia: Denver Public Schools
• Denver Post: Denver schools closed due to heat
• Google Search: Denver heat wave 2025
• KDVR: Extreme heat cancels classes in Denver Public Schools
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Extreme Weather
• 9News: Extreme heat forces classroom closures in Denver
• Google News: Denver schools closure August 2025