James Irwin CEO highlights student success, new grants and leadership academy
June 05, 2026 | Harrison School District No. 2 in the county of El, School Districts , Colorado
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Rob Dhy, chief executive officer of James Irwin Charter Schools, told the Harrison School District No. 2 board on June 4 that the charter continued to post strong academic and extracurricular results while expanding services. "This past year, we had 18 students that earned College Board recognition program awards," Dhy said, and he noted 16 students received AP Scholar-level honors and several students advanced to national competitions.
Dhy said one student, Michael Augustus, was a Daniels Scholar and is headed to Georgetown University in fall 2026. He described two recent grants: a $12,522 award to upgrade biology labs and a Daniels Fund grant that will fund a new football program beginning this fall. "Write it up and I'll pay for it," Dhy said he was told by the Daniels Fund representative, recounting how the football program received its initial backing.
The presentation also covered nonacademic investments. Dhy said the charter opened a new staff-only daycare this year that serves 55 children and that the district completed ADA upgrades at its concession and restroom facilities. He described a newly launched leadership academy—an intensive Saturday series on finance, governance, instruction and school law—designed to prepare future principals and administrators.
On performance issues, Dhy acknowledged a struggling James Irwin elementary campus in a neighboring authorizer and said that campus would be closed for one year while students are relocated to the Canada Drive elementary (District 49) and a comprehensive remodeling is carried out. He described that step as part of a broader turnaround that includes leadership coaching, curriculum and classroom redesign.
Board members asked about online testing and device access. Dhy said James Irwin moved to provide keyboarding and computer classes to prepare younger students for online assessments while noting the school’s longstanding emphasis on cursive and low-device instruction.
The presentation closed with questions about the leadership academy’s curriculum and daycare eligibility; Dhy confirmed the daycare is for staff only and said the leadership academy will include modules on school law and finance taught by external experts.
The board moved the presentation to the consent agenda for acceptance.
Dhy said one student, Michael Augustus, was a Daniels Scholar and is headed to Georgetown University in fall 2026. He described two recent grants: a $12,522 award to upgrade biology labs and a Daniels Fund grant that will fund a new football program beginning this fall. "Write it up and I'll pay for it," Dhy said he was told by the Daniels Fund representative, recounting how the football program received its initial backing.
The presentation also covered nonacademic investments. Dhy said the charter opened a new staff-only daycare this year that serves 55 children and that the district completed ADA upgrades at its concession and restroom facilities. He described a newly launched leadership academy—an intensive Saturday series on finance, governance, instruction and school law—designed to prepare future principals and administrators.
On performance issues, Dhy acknowledged a struggling James Irwin elementary campus in a neighboring authorizer and said that campus would be closed for one year while students are relocated to the Canada Drive elementary (District 49) and a comprehensive remodeling is carried out. He described that step as part of a broader turnaround that includes leadership coaching, curriculum and classroom redesign.
Board members asked about online testing and device access. Dhy said James Irwin moved to provide keyboarding and computer classes to prepare younger students for online assessments while noting the school’s longstanding emphasis on cursive and low-device instruction.
The presentation closed with questions about the leadership academy’s curriculum and daycare eligibility; Dhy confirmed the daycare is for staff only and said the leadership academy will include modules on school law and finance taught by external experts.
The board moved the presentation to the consent agenda for acceptance.
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