It truly felt like this school year flew by yet so much was accomplished and there is so much to celebrate. Let’s take a moment to reflect on some of the amazing accomplishments of our students, staff, and schools over the past year.
Celebrating the Class of 2024
It is always a true honor to attend the commencement ceremonies at our high schools and hear the amazing things our students have planned for their future. We have graduates who are going on to college, directly entering the workforce, serving in the military, or taking a gap year to travel and see the world. The DCSD Class of 2024 has earned more than $131 million in scholarships! See some of our Outstanding Graduate profiles, as well as individual scholarship recipients on our website at www.dcsdk12.org/graduation.
Awards and Accolades
Below are just some of the amazing awards and accolades that our students, staff, and schools made possible during this school year.
For the first time in a decade, DCSD is the top scoring school district in the Denver/Metro area!
10 of our schools received the 2023 Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award from the Colorado Department of Education (CDE).
35 of our schools received the 2023 John Irwin Schools of Excellence Award from CDE.
Parker Core Knowledge received the Colorado 2023 National Blue Ribbon School award from CDE.
Franktown Elementary School received the 2023 Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation from the American School Counselor Association. Sagewood Middle School is also a RAMP-certified school.
Legacy Point Elementary received the Franklin Covey Leader in Me Legacy Award, making it the first school in Colorado to receive this award!
Ponderosa High School science teacher, Rebecca Roberts, received the Nancy Intagliata Legacy Award.
Legacy Point Elementary first-grade teacher, Lindsey Rakovich, received the Nancy Intagliata Legacy Award.
2024 Apple Awards Winners:
Classified Employee of the Year - Lauri Simington-Echer, Secretary to the Assistant Principal, Chaparral High School, Parker
Elementary Educator of the Year – Jessica Mason, First Grade, North Star Academy, Parker
Secondary Educator of the Year – Damon Larson, Librarian and Research Coach, Chaparral High School, Parker
Administrator of the Year - Dr. Jenny Brown, Principal, Gold Rush Elementary, Parker
Castle View High School received 5 Bobby G Awards (and 13 nominations) for its theater production of Frozen.
Career Technical Education Programs Expansion
The Douglas County School District continues to grow its Career and Technical Education (CTE) program - which provides students additional pathways to success after high school. Students can access CTE courses at high schools across our county and at the new DCSD Legacy Campus.
In 2023-2024 DCSD families saved over $9.2 million in college tuition costs thanks to the Colorado Opportunity Fund and Concurrent Enrollment courses.
Nearly 17,000 students enrolled in the 75 CTE programs offered by DCSD.
Students earned over 700 industry certifications.
New Schools and Programs
The DCSD Legacy Campus and the Venture Academy of Leadership & Entrepreneurship (VALE) High School had a very successful first year! Legacy served 400 students and VALE staff earned their High-Reliability Schools Level 1 Certification with Distinction.
We hope you are able to unwind and recharge over the summer break and we look forward to having our students and staff back in August. Thank you for your ongoing dedication to our students.