History
West High School, Denver - where it all began in 1985.
Dr. Dan Lutz created the concept of “international” schools at West High School in the Denver Public School system in 1985 and DPS approved a new physical school on June of 2005. The core idea that schools would offer multiple languages, a global curriculum, and opportunities to travel and experience other cultures beyond the classroom, was innovative and exciting. Dr. Lutz’s efforts and ideas gathered momentum and other civic and global-minded volunteers jumped in to negotiate with Denver Public Schools and helped make it a reality. At West High School, it was This was originally named the Center for International Studies.
Eventually, four remarkable magnet schools (K-12), now called the Denver Center for International Studies (DCIS) were launched in central Denver and Northeast Denver. In 1997, the DCIS Foundation was established as a 501(c)3 to raise funds to make travel more accessible for a growing and diverse student population. Today, the four DCIS campuses serve 2,400+ students. and the love and legacy of educational travel is part of each student’s opportunity. The DCIS network is part of the Asia Society's International Studies School Network (ISSN) that includes 29 schools across the United States. The DCIS schools are the only ISSN schools in Colorado. Aside from gaining a global outlook on the world, students perform over 5,000 hours of community service locally each year. DCIS Baker and DCIS at Montbello have been recognized among the best high schools in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. Overall Score 96.72/100
DR. DAN LUTZ: Dr. Lutz began his education career and passion for international education as a high school teacher in the Teacher Corps in New York and the Peace Corps in Afghanistan. After completing a Master’s degree in Cross-Cultural Education and training new Peace Corps Volunteers in Iran from the University of Denver, he returned to teach in Denver Public Schools where he developed and directed a high school international studies magnet program at West High School.
Dr. Lutz later completed a Ph.D. in Curriculum Leadership at the University of Denver in 1992 and taught graduate global education classes for teachers. One of the originators of the Korean Heritage Camp for families with adopted children from that country, he served on the Board of Directors for Colorado Heritage Camps. The organization sponsors separate camps for families with children adopted from a variety of other countries. He co-founded the International Studies Schools Association in 2000, a function of the Center for Teaching International Relations.
Dan led the expansion of the high school program he directed into the creation and development of Denver Center for International Studies (DCIS), a magnet school for grades 6-12, and served as its first principal. Merci Dr. Lutz!
On September 1, 2024, the DCIS Foundation changed its name (Denver Center for Intercultural Scholars) and brought on its newest school partner, Morey Middle School. The DCIS Foundation will slowly grow our partnerships with DPS middle and high schools that teach world languages and share our commitment to intercultural education. This expands our reach to impact more students and allows us to narrow our focus to support schools and programs with an “immersive” intercultural curriculum focus.
MR. EUGENE LEVIN was a graduate of West High School, class of 1944 - for those that knew him, he was wise, soft-spoken, and had a great, subtle sense of humor. Eugene led a remarkable life with his wife Barbara. He was the editor of the high school newspaper and was in the Latin Club. During college, he was a journalist for the University of Colorado newspaper and The Denver Post. Upon entering the military, he wrote for Stars and Stripes and eventually he became bureau chief and news editor for the Associated Press in Rome, London, Tokyo, and New Delhi. He left the military and came back to Denver to manage his father’s business. He was a life-long philanthropist and education enthusiast and raised money for many organizations including the Denver Symphony and the Denver Art Museum. Mr. Levin helped establish the Asian Art Association and donated early to the help fund student travel at West High School (where DCIS was founded), serving faithfully on the Scholarship Committee. Just before his death, the DCIS Foundation and DCIS community established a fund in his honor so more students could travel (regardless of their background) - and to encourage long-term study abroad, home-stays, and authentic cultural immersion. Gracias Señor Levin!
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