SUCCESSFUL FIRST YEAR FOR ANIMAS HIGH SCHOOL MEANS BRIGHT FUTURE

 

Building on Year One Successes, Public Charter High School Prepares for Enrollment to Double in Coming Year

Durango, Colorado – June 9, 2010 – Animas High School, a free, public charter school, opened its doors in the Fall of 2009 to its first class of 75 freshmen.  In its first year, Animas High School’s engaging college preparatory program resulted in excellent student achievement.

“With the bar set high for students and staff, we attained remarkable milestones during our first year,” said Michael Ackerman, Animas Head of School.  “Parents frequently tell me that Animas’ academic standards and culture of excellence are having a profound impact on their kids.” 

Animas High School (AHS) continues to grow.  Next fall, the school will welcome a new freshman class to join the current students, who are progressing to 10^th grade.  AHS expects to hire four new teachers and three new staff members for the 2010/2011 school year.

AHS’s success is evident through the following sampling of its first year accomplishments:    

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Model United Nations and Exhibitions:  All students participated in a multi-chambered United Nations simulation.  Students presented their positions, collaborated with their peers, and brokered compromises to address real-world, international issues. In addition, students presented their work in all subject areas at three public Exhibitions that provided parents and the public a closer look at the academic accomplishments of AHS students. 

Presidential Awards:  Over a third of the AHS student body received awards for Presidential Educational Excellence or Presidential Academic Achievement.  These awards are granted based on GPA and students exceeding the expectations of the school’s culture of excellence.

State and International Science and Engineering Fair:  AHS students Tucker Leavitt and Sam Kater were selected to attend the Colorado State Science Fair for their work in physics.  In addition, they were selected, along with two other students from the area, to represent the region at the International Science and Engineering Fair. 

 

Charter School Week:  AHS student Alicia Whiteman was one of three students selected from across Colorado to address attendees, politicians and the media during the Charter School Conference Week in Denver.

Standardized Testing:  AHS students took the NWEA tests three times during the year, demonstrating academic growth in all content areas tested.  NWEA results are used to assess longitudinal, individual growth.  Like all public schools, AHS awaits results from its CSAP testing to be released in August.

GRANT AWARDS AFFIRM ANIMAS HIGH SCHOOL’S VIABILITY AND SUCCESS

SmartBoard Grant from Morgridge Family Fund:  Animas High School received funding from the Morgridge Family Fund to purchase SmartBoards for its classrooms. 

Ballantine Family Fund supported Animas High School with a grant for critical remodel needs.

 

Colorado Department of Education Startup and Implementation Grant:  Having already secured the CDE Startup and Implementation Grant, Animas High was awarded additional funds to supplement the initial award.  These are restricted funds designated for startup costs and acquisitions only.

LPEA awarded John Fisher, AHS Humanities teacher, a grant for Animas High students to study Durango’s past and present, through the lens of sociology.  

COMMUNITY COLLABORATION

Power Lunches, held monthly at AHS, invite business and community leaders to discuss their work and to connect education with the real world. 

Durango Discovery Museum:  Animas High School and the Durango Discovery Museum signed a memorandum committing to collaboration between the two entities. 

Stillwater Foundation:  Animas High School and the Stillwater Foundation have created a partnership to provide musical educational options to AHS students.

Education Summit with 9R, AHS and Mountain Middle School:  In March, senior representatives from Durango School District 9R, Animas High School, and the proposed charter Mountain Middle School met to identify common education-related goals and to develop collaboration strategies. 

 

About Animas High School:

 

Animas High School is a small, free, public, charter school in Durango that offers a rigorous, personalized, college preparatory curriculum.  AHS delivers its curriculum through direct instruction and projects that give students the opportunity to apply their learning in relevant, real-world ways.  Its cohesive, inclusive school culture welcomes all students socially and challenges them academically.

AHS values:               

      ●  Rigorous academics, where all students are prepared for college success.

      ● A culture of excellence, where students are held to high expectations.

      ● Strong faculty-student relationships, where students are well known.     

      ● Engaging education, where students discover the relevance of their learning.