Sunnyside Elementary Home

Kind, safe, responsible problem-solvers

Teacher assisting two children with a science activity at a classroom table.

About Us

Sunnyside Elementary School is located in La Plata County, Colorado. We offer a developmentally appropriate curriculum based on Colorado Academic Standards to approximately 109 students in preschool through fifth grade. Sunnyside is a small, rural school that has all the services offered in larger schools, while still providing a family environment.
Learn more
Young girl running through a finish line with support from two trainers during an outdoor event.
Where we’re located
Durango School District map
school building

Mission

Here at Sunnyside, we believe that the improved academic achievement of each student is a shared responsibility among all the adults in the child's life and the child.  By working together, we provide our students with a strong foundation for success.

School & District News

Top half of a clock that reads 2:12

Mondays are Early Release days

Mondays are Early Release days for all students. School ends one hour earlier. Please check your school's bell schedule on the Durango School District (DSD) Back to School Hub webpage for the Monday release time.
Durango School District Summer Bridge Summer Learning Program

Final Summer Bridge check-in ends Sept. 4

The final check-in for Summer Bridge is happening now. Students have until Friday, Sept. 4, to turn in their completed literacy and math books to their school's front office and be entered for the big end-of-summer raffle.
A teacher and a high school student converse at a table

Welcome back to a new school year

"I'm having all the feels today," said Aaron Schiff, special education teacher for Durango Big Picture High School (DBPHS). Same! That was true for all of us — families, students, and staff across our district — as we gathered together again on an exciting first day of school on Aug. 25.
Back to School Hub webpage: All the info you need to prepare for fall

Get ready for the upcoming school year: Visit DSD's Back to School Hub

School starts Tuesday, Aug. 25, and our 2026-27 Back to School Hub compiles all the essential information families need to get ready for the new school year. You’ll find details on enrollment, school start dates, supply lists, transportation options, bell schedules, and more.
No phones, no watches. Stay present. Stay connected.

DSD cell phone and smart watch policy

DSD's cell phone policy requires that cell phones and smart watches be put away during the school day or during classes, depending on grade level.
Show All News
Sunnyside Principal Mary Ebens

Principal's Message

Welcome to Sunnyside Elementary School! We are inspiring and equipping our students to make a mighty impact on their world, both now and in their future, by explicitly teaching them how to become “Bulldog Scholars.” Our scholars are engaged in active learning by opening their minds, taking educational risks, persevering through struggles, and reflecting on their learning and themselves. 

Events

Show All Events
Engineer Mountain

Quality of Life

Durango is a beautiful place to live and work. It is located at 6,512 feet elevation in Southwest Colorado near the Four Corners region. Families who live here enjoy a historic steam train, ski resort, rivers, vibrant downtown, bike trails, sky-high “fourteener” mountains, and four distinct seasons with an average of 266 sunny days per year. We welcome new families and new staff members, and we offer excellent benefits and competitive salaries. 
Join our team

Accessibility Statement

Durango School District is committed to ensuring our digital platforms are accessible to everyone, aligning with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards and Colorado accessibility laws. If you encounter a barrier or need an alternative format, please contact us at [email protected] or (970) 247-5411.