The one school Denver Public Schools recommended for closure this year — an alternative charter school run by a for-profit company — is publicly challenging the district on its decision.

"I believe Life Skills is making progress," said Life Skills Center High School principal Santiago Lopez. "I was pretty caught off guard."

After months of evaluation, including data and document reviews, on-site visits, interviews and a review of an external audit, DPS staff presented a formal recommendation to the board on Thursday to close the school.

Life Skills has been rated as "accredited on probation," the worst rating handed out by the district, for at least the past four years.

The core issue that Lopez and the school's board members challenge is the evaluation process for new and