Extreme Heat Forces Denver Schools To Close Or Dismiss Classes Early

Record-setting temperatures, hovering in the upper 90s, forced several Denver public schools (DPS) to either close or dismiss classes as extreme heat creates a difficult classroom environment for students and makes it difficult for them to learn.

DPS staff were forced to decide on whether students should be sent home or stay in school when classroom temperatures soared.

Schools that will be either closed or will dismiss classes early Friday said that the heat made it hard for students to study, especially in buildings with no air conditioning, Fox affiliate KDVR reported.

The National Weather Service (NWS) said a record-high temperature of 96 degrees Fahrenheit (35.56 degrees Celsius) was set in Denver on Thursday afternoon. The agency added that the new record beat out the previous one at 94 degrees, which was set in 1994.

Another record has been forecast for Friday at 98 degrees. According to the NWS, this temperature would break a daily record of 93 degrees set in 2018.

Director of planning and construction at DPS Heather Bock said “it’s not fair to be sitting in a classroom that’s very hot to learn in,” adding that there were some DPS schools built 100 years ago, making it difficult to modify the building designs.

A few schools were able to get air conditioning installed, such as Grant Beacon Middle School, but there are still 55 schools in the district with no central air that need air conditioning.

The following schools will be closed Friday:

Traylor Academy

Hamilton Middle School

Polaris Elementary School

McMeen Elementary School

The following schools will only be open for a half day Friday:

Knapp Elementary School

Doull Elementary School

Manual High School

Cory Elementary School

Denison Montessori

Asbury Elementary School

Lincoln Elementary School

Stedman Elementary School

Stephen Knight Center for Early Education

Steele Elementary School

Brown International Academy

Thomas Jefferson High School

Earlier this week, the NWS warned that there will be “a little more smoke mixed with the sunshine,” adding that Thursday and Friday “will be hot with near record temperatures.” The agency said Thursday that “smoke will continue to be an issue through Friday” across Denver but conditions are expected to ease up over the weekend.

Colorado has been battered by wildfires over the past weeks, with authorities keeping an eye on the Black Mountain Fire, located 8 miles northeast of Kremmling. The blaze has burned 418 acres and has been contained at 61 percent as of Wednesday.