CEC is excited to welcome Mr. Frutoso Chavez as the new Head of School for Colorado Early Colleges’ Douglas County North campus. Mr. Chavez brings over two decades of experience in education, with a strong track record of school leadership across elementary, middle, and high school levels, particularly in school turnaround and student support systems.
Mr. Chavez has served in key leadership roles within Aurora Public Schools and Denver Public Schools, where he led school improvement initiatives and redesigned academic and behavioral support systems to boost student success. His leadership has consistently driven schools from Priority Improvement to Performance status, developed new school models, and secured major grant funding, including a $300,000 Walton grant.
“My work has been rooted in building strong Professional Learning Communities, coaching and mentoring educators, and fostering collaborative school cultures focused on continuous improvement,” said Mr. Chavez. “I am deeply committed to student success and equity, and I’m excited to join the CEC team to continue this important work.
As Head of School, Mr. Chavez will lead instructional excellence, talent development, and culture building aligned to CEC’s mission of providing all students—regardless of background or circumstance—with access to college and career pathways. He brings a strengths-based, student-centered approach and is deeply committed to ensuring that every learner thrives in a rigorous, relevant, and supportive academic environment.
Mr. Chavez is a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, a former Teacher of the Year through the Troops to Teachers program, and a graduate of the University of Denver’s Ritchie Program for School Leaders. His deep belief in the potential of every student and his collaborative leadership style make him a valuable addition to the CEC community.
