Elk Creek Elementary School - New Castle, CO

At Elk Creek Elementary we create a positive learning community that inspires students to become lifelong learners who reach their highest potential. We accomplish our mission through the hard work of our students, strong partnership with our families, and dedication of our staff. Many traditions at Elk Creek Elementary readily provide students and families with books to create a love of reading. Books are given to families at the beginning of each year at Fall Home Visits and approximately 1,000 books are awarded to students throughout each year as positive incentives for weekly student successes. We have multiple parent, community, and high school volunteers present in our classrooms everyday strengthening our support system for students. With frequent monitoring and peer feedback provided around instruction, our teachers work collaboratively to become better at their practice. We take an intense look at our yearly data and put into place plans to address the needs of students so that we can continue to close the achievement gaps and see growth in all of our students. In 2012 we were honored to be a recipient of the Colorado Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award, recognizing our efforts at becoming a school of high achievement and high growth. We contribute our success to the fact that we encourage, nurture, and challenge every student, every day. Because all students are supported and embraced in a culture of high expectations, Elk Creek Elementary is an extraordinary place to learn!