Animas Valley Elementary and Riverview Elementary received the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award for demonstrating exceptional student growth. All of the schools receiving this award are evaluated on a school performance framework used by the state and how well the results demonstrate strong, exceptional student growth. Schools receive this honor when they have “exceeded” expectations on the indicator related to longitudinal academic growth, and have “met or exceeded” expectations on the indicator related to academic growth gaps.

Sunnyside Elementary received the Colorado John Irwin Schools of Excellence Award, which is given to schools that demonstrate excellent academic achievement. The John Irwin awards are given to schools that demonstrate excellent academic achievement. On the three-year school performance framework that is used by the state to evaluate schools, these schools “exceed” expectations on the academic achievement indicator. The Excellence Awards are named for a true friend and visionary of education, former Colorado State Representative, John J. Irwin. This is the third time Sunnyside Elementary has been honored with this award in the last seven years, marking their efforts to help all students achieve academic success.

“Our staff and students work hard every day to achieve lofty goals, overcome obstacles and achieve success,” says Superintendent Dan Snowberger. “Our schools always give reason to be proud, and it is great to have state recognition for all their hard work and the success of our students.”