Commissioner of Education Dwight D. Jones today announced the 32 schools identified as “Centers of Excellence” for the 2009-2010 school year.
Established by the Colorado State Legislature, the award recognizes schools that demonstrate the highest rates of student longitudinal growth as measured by the Colorado Growth Model among those that have at least 75 percent at-risk pupils in their student population.
“These schools maximize every precious classroom minute and make no excuses,” said Commissioner Jones. “They are doing whatever it takes to reach each child’s academic needs and setting the pace for all schools statewide. We send our congratulations to these schools and also our thanks for serving as shining examples of focus and commitment.”
Added Colorado State Board of Education Chairman: “The awards confirm significant progress is possible even in the most challenging circumstances and with current funding levels. These schools are models. Their strategies should be widely shared. Students enrolled in these schools are fortunate to be learning where their hopes and dreams can be realized.”
The 2010 Centers of Excellence award winners will be celebrated at an event to be held Thursday, Dec. 9 at the Colorado Department of Education featuring Gov. Bill Ritter, Colorado State Board of Education Vice-Chair Randy DeHoff, Commissioner Jones and Associate Commissioner Richard Wenning. The event will begin at 10 a.m.
The event will also recognize the 14 districts “Accredited with Distinction” under the state’s new accountability system. (See the Nov. 30 news release: http://bit.ly/haayzp for more detail.) In addition, the 2009 “Centers of Excellence” will also be recognized.
The 2010 Centers of Excellence Schools are:
Adventure Elementary School, Mapleton School District
Atlas Preparatory School, Harrison School District 2
Beach Court Elementary School, Denver Public Schools *
Boston K-8 School, Aurora Public Schools
Bryant-Webster K-8 School, Denver Public Schools *
Bruce Randolph School, Denver Public Schools *
Centennial Elementary School, Harrison School District 2
Centennial High School, Centennial School District R-1
Center High School, Center School District 26 JT *
Cole Arts and Science Academy, Denver Public Schools
Cowell Elementary School, Denver Public Schools
Edison Elementary School, Colorado Springs School District 11 *
Fletcher Interm Science & Technology School, Aurora Public Schools
Force Elementary School, Denver Public Schools
Greenwood Elementary School, Denver Public Schools *
KIPP Sunshine Peak Academy, Denver Public Schools *
Martin Luther King Middle College, Denver Public Schools *
McMeen Elementary School, Denver Public Schools *
Montview Elementary School, Aurora Public Schools *
Moore K-8 School, Denver Public Schools
Nikola Tesla Education Opp. Center, Colorado Springs District 1 *
Nisley Elementary School, Mesa County Valley School District 51
Stedman Elementary School, Denver Public Schools *
Stein Elementary School, Jefferson County Schools *
Stratmoor Hills Elementary School, Harrison School District 2 *
Tollgate Elementary School, Aurora Public Schools *
Virginia Court Elementary School, Aurora Public Schools
West Denver Prep, Federal Campus, Denver Public Schools *
West Denver Prep, Harvey Park Campus, Denver Public Schools
Whittier K-8 School, Denver Public Schools *
Wyatt-Edison Charter Elementary School, Denver Public Schools *
Yale Elementary School, Aurora Public Schools *
*Denotes also 2009 “Centers of Excellence” award.
Additional 2009 Centers of Excellence Schools:
Archuleta Elementary School, Denver Public Schools
Aurora West College Preparatory Academy, Aurora Public Schools
Carlile Elementary School, Pueblo City Schools
Deane Elementary School, Jefferson County Schools
Fred N. Thomas Career Education Center, Denver Public Schools
Kearney Middle School, Adams County School District 14
Kenton Elementary School, Aurora Public Schools
Martinez Elementary School, Greeley-Evans School District 6
Olathe Elementary School, Montrose County School District RE-1J
Roosevelt Edison Charter School, Colorado Springs School District 11
Silverton Middle School, Silverton School District 1
Skyline Vista Elementary School, Adams County School District 50
Westpark Elementary School, Lake County School District R-1
Students at Landmark academy at reunion celebrate first annual latin culture week
Landmark Academy at Reunion , a tuition-free public charter school, recently hosted their First Annual Latin Culture Week, a week focused on educating students on the various aspects of Latin culture, from music and art to sports and celebrities, through unique activities. During the week-long celebration, students were able to step into the lives of the Aztecs, Incas and Mayans with Latin culture lessons through piñata making, cultural crafts, songs, traditional foods and more. Students made maracas and learned a traditional Mexican Hat Dance; created Aztec suns working with metal tooling; and studied different countries in Mexico , Central America and South America . Aztec dancers from the Colorado Folk Arts Council also visited with students and educated them on the spiritual and traditional aspects of Aztec culture through dance. “We reside in a community with strong Latin and Hispanic roots,” said Matt Carlton, principal of Landmark Academy at Reunion . “Our community culture is important to us at Landmark. By providing unique ways for our students to learn the various backgrounds of our diverse community they are able to understand and appreciate different cultures.” For more information about Landmark Academy at Reunion , please visit www.landmarkacademy.org.
