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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!

2023-2024 School Culture Survey Highlights

Positives

93% of students believe that Sand Creek International has clear rules and consequences for behavior.

96% of families believe that Sand Creek International sets high expectations for their child.

100% of staff believe that school administrators manage Sand Creek International in ways that promotes students' safety learning.

Improvement Opportunities

  • 52% of our students do not believe everyone in the school is respected.
  • 15% of families feel they are not informed when their child does something good at school.
  • 50% of staff believe students do not threaten or bully each other at school.

Next Steps

  • Sand Creek International will implement a student leadership group called "Peace Peeps" in which students lead other students through reflective conversations, social problem solving, and interpersonal conflict resolution.
  • Sand Creek International will increase use of positive notes and phone calls, as well as utilizing Dojo more frequently for positive communication. PLC time will be provided to teachers to help facilitate these communications. Existing tracking system will be refreshed and used to ensure all students and families receive positive communication from the school.
  • Students will continue to receive daily SEL 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.