Facts & Figures
Sand Creek International recognized as One of the Nation's Most Innovative Schools!
Press Release: SAND CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, HARRISON SCHOOL DISTRICT 2 NAMED ONE OF THE NATION’S MOST INNOVATIVE DISTRICTS
AASA and SPN highlight Sand Creek’s unique achievements in a case study
Colorado Springs, Colorado — How can we teach students the value and importance of lifelong learning if we ourselves are not exhibiting the characteristics of a lifelong learner? This was the question educators at Sand Creek Elementary School in Colorado Springs confronted as they set out to create a vision of a truly learner-centric model. With a team of empowered, motivated teachers, Sand Creek’s educators have found ways to provide for their economically disadvantaged students advantages and opportunities otherwise inaccessible to them out of an impassioned commitment to molding bright futures for all.
The innovation it unleashed, caught the eye or AASA (The School Superintendents Association) and SPN (Successful Practices Network), who selected Sand Creek Elementary as one of the most innovative schools in the United States. In a newly released case study, educators can read how a school embodies lifelong learning in the quest to provide all students greater opportunity and advantages.
In 2017, AASA and SPN joined forces to search nationwide for the districts challenging the status quo to find groundbreaking and original ways to meet students’ changing and complex needs. The intention is to celebrate bold innovators in education and report their experiences in case studies to benefit of all educators. Throughout 2018, all 25 case studies will be released to educators wanting to learn from the successes of these districts.
Read the entire Innovative School Case Study about our school!
Governor's Distinguished Improvement Award 2019
The Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards are given to schools that demonstrate exceptional student growth. On the school performance framework that is used by the state to evaluate schools, these schools "exceed" expectations on the indicator related to longitudinal academic growth and "meet or exceed" expectations on the indicator related to academic growth gaps.
Centers of Excellence Award 2016, 2017, and 2018
Each year, the Colorado Department of Education recognizes public schools in the state that enroll a student population of which at least 75 percent are at-risk pupils and that demonstrate the highest rates of student longitudinal growth, as measured by the Colorado Growth Model. On the school performance framework that is used by the state to evaluate schools, these schools have demonstrated impressive results on the indicator relating to longitudinal academic growth. This award program was established in 2009 by the Education Accountability Act of 2009 (S.B. 09-163).
Healthy School Champion
Every year, the Colorado Education Initiative Healthy School Champions Program recognizes Colorado schools for their success at creating a healthy school environment and implementing effective school health efforts. CEI singles out schools that have excelled at creating health and wellness programs that support student learning. Each year schools are selected that have demonstrated the critical link between student health and academic achievement. In 2018 Sand Creek Health and Wellness programs were awarded this honor for the 6th year in a row!
2024-2025 School Culture Survey Highlights
Positives
97% of students believe that their family wants them to do well in school.
92% of families believe there is a teacher, counselor, or other staff member at school to whom their child can go to for help with a problem.
100% of staff report that staff members build positive relationships with students.
Improvement Opportunities
- 33% of students do not believe that everyone in the school is respected.
- 69% of families report that they have been informed when their child does something good at school.
- 58% of staff believe students do not threaten or bully each other at school.
Next Steps
- We will continue our work in the area of student leadership and ownership in the area of Restorative Practices. Students will engage in reflective conversations, social problem-solving, and interpersonal conflict resolution.
- Ensure that families receive a positive phone call home quarterly. Parents will be informed when students are receiving an award. Elementary parents will be invited to the awards ceremonies. Middle School award winners will receive certificates and a congratulatory phone call home.
- Students will continue to receive daily social-emotional learning lessons and participate in character-building activities. Through the implementation of Sources of Strength and Peace Peeps, student ownership and accountability will be increased to resolve conflict. We will increase the frequency of classroom circles to promote an inclusive and respectful community.