Durango School District

Durango School District Durango School District (formerly known as 9-R) is a high-performing, award-winning K-12 district in Southwest Colorado.

We focus on academic excellence, bold discovery, and future-ready learning. Ask about open enrollment and our Portrait of a Graduate! Our page is a space for constructive conversations related to our schools. We ask everyone to uphold the following guidelines to ensure this page remains respectful and focused:

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Durango School District 9-R respects the First Amendmen

t rights of all users. These guidelines are intended to allow constructive comments related to district matters while maintaining a safe and respectful environment. RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE
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10/29/2025

👣 It's Wandering Wednesday! 👣 Miller Middle School students in Dory Daniel's Spanish class are learning about Día de los Mu***os — a Mexican tradition on Nov. 1-2 that honors loved ones who have passed — through cultural exploration in Spanish class. Last week, they created ofrendas, papel picado, and bright cempasúchil flowers. Through hands-on learning, they’re honoring culture, history, and remembrance — all while practicing Spanish in meaningful ways.

We’re proud to learn from diverse traditions that reflect the beauty and richness of cultures around the world🌼💀 🇲🇽



It's 🔥 Trailblazing Tuesday! 🔥 Today, we want to give a shout out to the trailblazing work of Animas Valley Elementary S...
10/28/2025

It's 🔥 Trailblazing Tuesday! 🔥

Today, we want to give a shout out to the trailblazing work of Animas Valley Elementary School. This school won a Governor's Improvement Award from the Colorado Department of Education.

Learn more about these honors here: https://ow.ly/yYAl50WFGbA

On Trailblazing Tuesdays, we spotlight the innovative work of our staff and students. You'll see examples of how our students are learning Portrait of a Graduate power skills and incorporating them into their school projects.


10/28/2025

👋 It’s Meet Us Monday! 👋 Say hello to Michol Brammer, principal of Animas Valley Elementary School.

AVE is a Title I preschool–5th grade school that helps students grow in confidence, compassion, and respect. Here are some highlights:

🏆Earned the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award.
🏫 Strong “School Family” model with social-emotional learning and problem-solving.
👫 Active family partnerships through PTO and SAC.
Learn more at: https://animasvalley.durangoschools.org/

Being a principal means making a difference every day. This National Principals Month, we recognize the impact principals have on students, staff, and communities nationwide.
👉 Celebrate more at principalsmonth.org



Congratulations to our mountain bike state champions. Go Demons! 🏆
10/27/2025

Congratulations to our mountain bike state champions. Go Demons! 🏆

It was business as usual for Durango’s high school mountain bike team in Glenwood Springs as the Demons captured another state championship on Sunday. Durango’s Division II title was the program’s se...

10/27/2025

Continuing our coverage of National Principals Month, meet Emily Moreland, the principal of Escalante Middle School. Ask her about her travels around the world!

Here are few highlights of Escalante:
🏆 5 students qualified for National History Day, 2 were finalists
📈 English learners exceeded state averages for growth
🎭 Strong participation in arts and theater
Learn more at: https://escalante.durangoschools.org/

Being a principal means making a difference every day. This National Principals Month, we recognize the impact principals have on students, staff, and communities nationwide.
👉 Celebrate more at principalsmonth.org



🤗 It's Friday Feels! 🤗 There’s something special about watching a student beam with pride over a book they once struggl...
10/24/2025

🤗 It's Friday Feels! 🤗 There’s something special about watching a student beam with pride over a book they once struggled to read. As these photos from last May show, One to One Reading volunteer coaches are proud of the incredible growth of young readers across our elementary schools.

📚 Each week, these caring community members sit side by side with a student, turning pages, sharing laughter, and building confidence one word and one story at a time. Reading doesn’t come at the same pace for every child — and that’s okay.

This year, 30 volunteers are returning and are getting ready to meet their match in an elementary school. We’re grateful for the kindness, patience, and persistence they bring to help every student discover the joy of reading.



🏗️ Bond progress update! We’re committed to keeping our community informed about the progress on the 2024 Investing in O...
10/24/2025

🏗️ Bond progress update! We’re committed to keeping our community informed about the progress on the 2024 Investing in Our Schools Bond. Here’s what’s happening in October:

🏫 Three Springs Elementary School: Design work is nearly complete — join us Nov. 6 for a First Look gallery walk of the new designs! https://ow.ly/5xeG50XhcLH

🏠 Staff housing: We closed on 35 apartments purchased at Lightner Creek Village for district employees. https://www.durangoschools.org/apps/news/article/2119211

🧰 New warehouse: We purchased a building to house our facilities and custodial staff. The goal is to end costly leases by 2026 and improve efficiency. https://www.durangoschools.org/apps/news/article/2124942

💧 Upgrades coming: Energy-efficient fixtures, tech replacements, and maintenance across campuses.

👀 Citizen Oversight Committee: Meeting monthly to ensure transparency and accountability.

💬 Follow along as we build a brighter future for Durango students!
https://ow.ly/FGqG50XhcLF

🕰️ It’s Throwback Thursday! 🕰️ The look is kind of preppy and the mood is chill. Guess the year and tag people you know ...
10/24/2025

🕰️ It’s Throwback Thursday! 🕰️ The look is kind of preppy and the mood is chill. Guess the year and tag people you know from this page in a Durango High School Toltec yearbook.

🗓️ Save the Date! On Nov. 6 from 5:30-7 p.m., you’re invited to a “First Look” event featuring designs for our new eleme...
10/23/2025

🗓️ Save the Date! On Nov. 6 from 5:30-7 p.m., you’re invited to a “First Look” event featuring designs for our new elementary school in the Three Springs neighborhood. Get ready to explore future-focused learning spaces, outdoor connections, and all the innovative features ahead of construction in 2026 and opening in 2028.

👉 Check out the full story and event details here: https://ow.ly/KMCE50Xg1AC

10/23/2025

👣 It’s Wandering Wednesday! 👣 At Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School, kindergarteners are proving that big learning can come from tiny robots! 🤖

🐝 These young programmers used Bee-Bots to practice math, sequencing, and problem-solving—all while having a blast showing their skills to the Board of Education.

Bee-Bots are just one of many exciting STEM tools used across Durango School District, turning playtime into brainpower! 💡📚


10/22/2025

Continuing our coverage of National Principals Month, today we're introducing Marie Voss-Patterson, the principal of Park Elementary School. Ask her about running in beautiful places!

Park is a preschool–5th grade school where diversity is celebrated and every child feels valued. As an EL Education school, Park focuses on character, academics, and high-quality work, with students taking ownership of their learning and contributing to their community. Teachers balance strong academics with hands-on projects, while families and community partners enrich the school’s supportive, creative environment.

Here are few highlights of Park:
➕ Park has led the district in math scores for several years.
📚 Park also leads in reading, with 64% of students proficient. Over half of students beat their reading growth goals two years in a row.
🏆 Park earned the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award for strong student growth.
Learn more at: https://park.durangoschools.org/

Being a principal means making a difference every day. This National Principals Month, we recognize the impact principals have on students, staff, and communities nationwide.
👉 Celebrate more at principalsmonth.org




Most of our students are developing healthy self-awareness, managing emotions, building positive relationships, making r...
10/22/2025

Most of our students are developing healthy self-awareness, managing emotions, building positive relationships, making responsible decisions, and showing empathy for others—skills that support success in school and in life. 💬💪✨

The Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS) Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Assessment is a research-based tool used in schools across the country. It helps measure how well students are building important life skills. The results help teachers support students so they can do their best in school and in life.


Address

281 Sawyer Drive, Suite 100
Durango, CO
81303

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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+19702475411

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