Ricks Center for Gifted Children

With a toss of the cap and one last ring of the bell, our 8th graders are officially off to their next adventure!

We are so proud of all you have accomplished, the friendships you have built, and the mark each of you has made on our community. Watching you grow has been such a joy, and while we will miss seeing your faces in the halls, we cannot wait to see what comes next.

A VERY special thank you to Dr. Norma, our founder, for joining us and sharing such meaningful words with our graduates. ❤️

Congratulations to our newest Ricks alumni—you will always be part of the Ricks family!

Next up - lower primary passion projects, and they were equally as amazing...from planets to fruit, squid to sea turtles, LEGO, hockey, animal adaptations, and so much more. The variety of interests was incredible!

Watching students confidently share what they learned, answer questions, and teach others about something they love was such a joy. We are so proud of the curiosity, creativity, and excitement our lower primary students brought to their projects!

First grade—here they come!!!

Our Kindergarten Smart Sea Otters officially crossed the bridge in their Bridge Ceremony, celebrating the end of their early childhood journey and the exciting beginning of first grade! With cheering families and friends by their side, students ran across the bridge, proudly shared their Wonder Projects, and celebrated just how much they’ve grown this year.

We are SO proud of these amazing kids and all they have accomplished. A very special thank you to Ms. Morgan and Ms. Maddie for helping guide, encourage, and cheer on this incredible group every step of the way 💓

A little rain couldn't dampen our Field Day fun...

Today was Minute-to-Win-It, Ricks style, and our students from preschool through middle school had an absolute blast. From marshmallow and Skittle challenges to cup stacking, bubbles, face painting, inflatable bowling, and so much more, the day was full of laughter, teamwork, and smiles (with just a little rain mixed in!).

Yesterday’s Passion Project Fair was one of those days that reminds us just how incredible our RICKS students are when they get to dive deeply into what truly interests them. From the history of slang to the meaning of names, fashion, social media, allergies, influencers, and so much more, the variety of topics was amazing!

The presentations were thoughtful, creative, and so well researched. Students learned so much through the process, and they taught all of us something new along the way — even the adults in the room.

The room was full of friends, family, curiosity, pride, and so much learning. We are so proud of our students and the passion they shared yesterday!

Calling all future engineers, inventors, builders and creators...

Join your friends and Mr. Duncan for our 3D Printing and First LEGO League camps—where creativity, problem-solving, and innovation come to life! Campers will design, build, experiment, and collaborate while exploring robotics, engineering, coding, and the exciting world of 3D printing.

Whether your child already loves STEM or is just starting to explore, these camps are the perfect place to learn new skills, make friends, and have a blast doing it!

Spots are limited, and these camps are always a favorite! https://morgridge.du.edu/ricks/summer

What a day...Our PreK field trip was full of adventure, exploration, and so many special moments. We hopped on the light rail and headed to the Museum of Outdoor Arts, where students climbed sculptures, explored the whimsical Cabinet of Curiosities, and experienced art in such a hands-on and joyful way.

We wrapped up the day by releasing our painted lady butterflies into the gardens—such a magical moment watching them take flight 🦋

Huge thank you to all the parents who joined us and helped make the day such a success. By the walk back, there were definitely some very tired kiddos (and a few adults carrying them), and we are so grateful for all the support, energy, and extra hands along the way!

Our middle school trip to Puerto Rico was full of adventure, learning, laughter, and unforgettable memories!

From snorkeling in the morning waters to exploring Old San Juan and wandering through Castillo San Felipe del Morro, every day brought something new. Students learned about Puerto Rico’s agriculture industry, explored the rainforest, kayaked through a glowing bioluminescent bay, relaxed on the beach, shopped for souvenirs, and even tried Bomba and Salsa dancing.

Most importantly, they built connections, tried new things, stepped outside their comfort zones, and experienced the joy of learning beyond the classroom.

Huge thank you to our fearless leaders for making this incredible experience possible. Everyone had such a fabulous time, and we know these memories will last for years to come.

Looking for an exciting new adventure at a truly special school?

Ricks Center is looking for passionate, creative educators to join our team, and we’d love your help spreading the word!

Please visit Ricks Center Open Positions https://jobs.du.edu/en-us/job/498743/innovation-specialist-parttime-math-teacher-and-parttime-science-teacher-ricks-center-for-gifted-children
to learn more about these opportunities and what makes the Ricks community so special.

***RICKS CENTER PARENT ALERT***

Due to the forecasted weather conditions, Ricks Center will be closed tomorrow, May 6th. We appreciate your partnership in keeping our staff and students safe.

Stay safe and warm!

Wheels were rolling and smiles were everywhere for Wheels Day!

Our primary and middle school students showed up ready to ride—bikes, scooters, rollerblades, and skateboards in tow—and took on the University of Denver campus with so much energy and excitement. From cruising the paths to cheering each other on, it was just so fun to see our students out and about—building confidence, connecting with each other, and making the most of a beautiful day together