The Colorado Education Initiative

The work happening in Colorado classrooms and communities is powerful and far-reaching, and this month we got to celebrate it together.

We closed the school year with several events bringing together school and district leadership teams from nearly 20 partner districts reflecting on a hard year, looking honestly at what's ahead, and honoring real progress: stronger systems, deeper partnerships, and learning environments where students are truly thriving.

Among the highlights: a candid conversation with Colorado's 2026 Superintendent of the Year, Chris Gdowski of Adams 12 Five Star Schools, and the honest, hard-won reflections shared by leaders thinking deeply about the future of education.

It is one of the greatest honors of our work at CEI to walk alongside these leaders, and this is what carries us into 2026–27: launching Cohort 6 of the Rural Superintendent Academy and highlighting the leadership work of district partners from all across Colorado at the 2026 CASE Convention next month.

Thank you to every district partner who made this year extraordinary. We are so proud to be part of what you've built.

Alamosa School District, Aurora Public Schools, Bayfield School District, Canon City Schools Fremont RE-1, Canon City Schools Fremont RE-1, Clear Creek School District RE-1, Durango School District, East Grand School District , Garfield Re-2 School District, Greeley-Evans School District 6, Harrison School District 2, Holyoke Re-1J School District, Mesa County Valley School District 51, Summit School District, Weld Re-3J, West Grand School District 1-JT, Colorado Association of School Executives

Proud to partner with Durango School District!

As we near the end of our 10-day celebration, today's spotlight is on a district delivering results that are hard to sustain at any scale, let alone this one.

Day 9 spotlight: St. Vrain Valley School District

Among school leaders:
▪️ 𝟗𝟒% rate the evaluation process favorably (+𝟖 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐚𝐧𝐝 +𝟏𝟏 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞)
▪️ 𝟗𝟑% feel supported by their district (+𝟏𝟐 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞)
▪️ 𝟏𝟎𝟎% say district leadership provides timely support when priorities change

Trust, clarity, and consistency – district-wide. Results like these reflect years of deliberate work to build a system where leaders at every level feel equipped to lead well.

Proud to partner with St. Vrain Valley School District.

Colorado Department of Education, Jackie Kapushion, Ed.D.