The Ignacio School District is thrilled to announce a remarkable achievement for the 2023-2024 school year. According to the Colorado Department of Education’s Preliminary School Performance Framework, all three schools in the district have advanced from the Improvement & Priority Improvement categories to the Performance category – a significant milestone in the continuing progress and improvement in the district.
This achievement reflects the district’s progress in the areas of Academic Growth, and Postsecondary & Workforce Readiness. The Performance Framework assesses district and school performance based on CMAS/PSAT/SAT testing scores, and the percentage of points earned across these indicators determines the final accreditation rating.
Highlights of the district’s outstanding performance include:
- Ignacio High School achieved a score of 53.3% out of 100, a great jump from 44.9% in 2022, notably excelling in the graduation rate of minority students with an impressive 96.9%. This achievement reflects the district’s commitment to ensuring equitable educational opportunities for all students.
- Ignacio Middle School reached a score of 60.5% from a previous score of 50.1%, surpassing the required 53% to attain the Performance category, demonstrating significant academic progress and growth.
- Ignacio Elementary School emerged as the top performer with a score of 62% from a previous score of 37.1% in the 2023 school year, setting a new standard of excellence in the district and showcasing outstanding early educational achievements.
- Ignacio School District as a whole moved to Accredited status at 59.3% from 46.9% in 2023.
This notable advancement is a testament to the collective efforts of students, educators, and the entire community. The district’s success in elevating all schools to the Performance category highlights a significant improvement in overall academic performance, demonstrating a commitment to excellence and an unwavering focus on student success.
The district engaged with community stakeholders three years ago to adopt a meaningful mission statement and five-year strategic plan. Since that time staff has vertically aligned curriculum and developed pacing guides that align with State standards. There has been a focus on classroom strategies to increase student engagement and improve intervention. Finally, ongoing efforts to utilize data-driven decision-making, increase staff retention, and provide focused professional development have also been impactful.
Looking ahead, the Ignacio School District remains focused on addressing the learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The district’s goal is to further accelerate academic recovery, with a particular emphasis on improving performance in math and language arts.
“We are incredibly proud of this achievement, which shows the hard work, dedication, and resilience of our students, teachers, and staff,” said Christopher deKay, Superintendent of Ignacio School District. “This milestone shows our district’s commitment to academic excellence and our ongoing efforts to provide a supportive and effective learning environment for every student.”
The district looks forward to continuing this momentum and remains dedicated to further enhancing educational outcomes and opportunities for all students. This progress marks a new chapter of success for the Ignacio School District, one that promises continued growth and achievement in the years to come.
For more information about the Ignacio School District’s performance and ongoing initiatives, please visit ignacioschools.org or contact 970-563-0500.