YOUR AD HERE »

Five local schools earn statewide excellence awards

VAIL, Colorado – Five Eagle County schools are being recognized as among the state’s best.

Brush Creek Elementary School and the Eagle County Charter Academy are two of 151 Colorado schools tabbed for this year’s John Irwin Award.

Edwards Elementary, Eagle Valley Middle School and Gypsum Creek Middle School were among 153 schools statewide to earn the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards, announced the Colorado Department of Education.



The John Irwin Awards Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards recognizes schools that demonstrate high levels of academic growth across all student groups, while reducing growth gaps, meaning the gap is narrowing between the schools’ highest and lowest achieving students.

In last year’s statewide tests, 97 percent of English-proficient fifth- and sixth-graders scored proficient or advanced at Eagle Valley Middle School, Edwards Elementary School, Brush Creek Elementary School, Eagle County Charter Academy – among Colorado’s highest scores.

Support Local Journalism



The Colorado Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards recognizes the top 8 percent of public schools that demonstrate the highest rates of student longitudinal growth.

The John Irwin Schools of Excellence Awards recognizes the top 8 percent of public schools that demonstrate the highest achievement on statewide assessments.

“The state is proud to recognize the hard work and dedication demonstrated by the staff and students at these schools,” said Gov. John Hickenlooper.

The John Irwin School Awards Program and the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards Program were established in 2000.

“We’re particularly proud of the students and teachers at these schools,” said Sandra Smyser, superintendent of the Eagle County school district. “All of our schools perform at high levels and are statistically in the ball park with one another, so when nearly a third of our elementary and middle schools are recognized, it is gratifying for our entire district.”

Staff Writer Randy Wyrick can be reached at 970-748-2935 or rwyrick@vaildaily.com.


Support Local Journalism