Avon Elementary receives state award for academic growth

On Thursday, Sept. 28, Eagle County School District announced that Avon Elementary School was recognized by the Colorado Department of Education with the 2022 Colorado Center for Excellence Award. Avon Elementary was one of nine schools to receive the 2022 award, which recognizes public schools in the state where at least 75% of enrolled students are considered at-risk pupils and that demonstrate the highest rates of student longitudinal growth, as measured by the Colorado Growth Model and annual school performance frameworks.

While the state department has honored schools that fit this criteria since 2009, this is the first year since 2019 that it has been awarded due to the pandemic.

“We couldn’t be more proud of what Avon Elementary School has continued to accomplish over the years,” said Superintendent Phil Qualman. “Dana Harrison and her staff are committed to providing an amazing dual language education for all students.”

This is the second time Avon Elementary has received this award. In 2017, both Avon and Gypsum Elementary Schools received the distinction.

Avon Elementary School has seen its School Performance Framework fall in the “Performance” Category the past two years since returning to the state’s assessment system after COVID-19. This is an indicator that the school, its staff members and its students are achieving their academic growth goals.