La Academia was founded in 1971 and originally went by the name La Academia de la Gente. The school was started by Steve Johnsen as a small program of the Denver Inner City Parish with less than 10 students. The goal of La Academia was, from the start, to be a place where students could find success and build on that success after graduation. Thousands of students have attended La Academia over the years. Graduates have continued their education in certificate programs, trade schools, community colleges, and universities. La Academia continues to support graduates, through the Puentes program, with applications, assistance with filling out financial aid documents, and micro-scholarships for books and fees.
Following this long tradition, the Denver Inner City Parish is excited to offer the Steve Johnsen Scholarship. Named after the founder of La Academia, the scholarship is designed to provide substantive and long-term financial support for recipients pursuing post-secondary education. The first recipients will be notified this December, and the awards will be available for use in January 2021. The scholarship is being funded in large part by investment proceeds from the sale of DICP’s old 910 building. It is only fitting that the building that housed La Academia for so many years continues to support students.
Fall 2020 Applications due Monday, November 30. -- Awardees for Fall 2020 will be announced soon!
The Spring 2021 deadline is TBD. Check back in early April for details.
Download the scholarship details below for more information.