Every election season, schools are pulled into the political spotlight. Instead of celebrating student achievement or supporting teachers, some campaigns look for ways to cast public schools in a negative light.
Durango School District is no exception. Recently, our district has been criticized and placed on lists that try to define us by politics rather than by what actually happens in our classrooms. These attacks may stir emotions, but they do not reflect the truth about our students, our staff or our community.
We are ranked No. 11 on Colorado Measures of Academic Success – CMAS – testing among all Colorado districts with 3,000+ students; and when PSAT/SAT scores are included, we rank No. 9 statewide. We’re the only rural district on this top-tier list. But here’s the truth: The real measure of a school district is not a campaign ad or a test score snapshot. It’s whether students are prepared for what comes next – college, career and life. And by that measure, Durango schools are delivering in powerful ways.
At Durango High School, students are seizing opportunities that save families money and open doors. Last year, more than 500 students took college-level classes through concurrent enrollment with Fort Lewis College and Pueblo Community College. DHS Principal Jon Hoerl estimates that concurrent enrollment combined with credits earned from passing Advanced Placement tests saved our families $7 million in one school year. That’s real proof our schools are lifting up families and helping students get ahead.
Not every student wants to go straight to college, and our district supports that, too. Durango Big Picture High School with about 100 students has a unique model that includes personalized learning plans, internships and content-specific experiences. Students thrive when they follow their interests, like the BPHS students who were chosen for the prestigious Telluride Film Festival youth program this past summer.
Through 14 Career and Technical Education pathways at DHS, students graduate with credentials and certifications in fields like health care, agriculture, welding and culinary arts. That means they can step directly into a good-paying job or continue their education with confidence. These programs give students choices and the freedom to pursue their passions while building practical skills.
And success is not measured only in credits or certificates. This week, we’re celebrating the voices of courageous students like DHS 2025 alumna Aisha O’Neil. On Aug. 21, the Colorado State Board of Education approved updates to K-12 science standards to more explicitly include climate change, a move influenced by years of advocacy from Colorado students including O’Neil and her peers in the group Good Trouble. She was also among the first students in Colorado to earn the new Seal of Climate Literacy. Her story is proof that Durango graduates don’t just learn about change, they become the change.
This is the goal of our district: to help every student discover their Ikigai – their unique purpose in life – where passion meets skill and opportunity. It’s why we emphasize our Portrait of a Graduate vision, which includes not just academics but traits like resilience, collaboration and creativity.
When political attacks misrepresent schools, they cause harm. They discourage teachers who are giving their best. They confuse the public and plant doubts about the value of education. And most of all, they hurt kids, who deserve to see their schools supported, not torn down.
As a community, we can choose differently. We can acknowledge that no school system is perfect, but also recognize how far we’ve come and how many opportunities are being created right now. We can celebrate students who leave high school with college credits, job skills and a sense of direction. We can thank the teachers and families who make those successes possible.
DSD schools are not defined by politics. They are defined by the students who walk across the graduation stage, ready to take on the world. They are defined by alumni like O’Neil, who raise their voices to make the world better.
Our children deserve more than election-season rhetoric. They deserve strong schools, supportive communities and adults who model what it means to build up, not tear down. Let’s invest in what works, support our teachers and celebrate our students’ success stories. That’s the truth worth telling.
Karla Sluis is the public information officer for Durango School District (DSD – formerly known as 9-R). Local businesses can support high school students’ career exploration through internships, work-based learning and other collaborations at Impact Career Innovation Center. Visit https://shorturl.at/bSwhN to learn more.
