News Release - Two Colorado elementary schools celebrated for exceptional achievement

Jan. 29, 2021

Two Colorado elementary schools celebrated for exceptional achievement 

DENVER - Colorado Education Commissioner Katy Anthes today celebrated Paonia and Soaring Eagles elementary schools as 2020 National Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Distinguished Schools.

The award is given to high achieving Title I schools -- those in which 75% or more students are considered low income. Paonia and Soaring Eagles were chosen out of the state’s 750 Title I schools for excellence in serving their emerging bilingual student population and producing exceptional student performance and academic growth for two or more consecutive years. The award is based on results from assessments in 2019.

Paonia Elementary in the Delta County School District is a preschool through sixth grade school with about 55% of the students eligible for free and reduced lunch -- a sign of poverty. Soaring Eagles Elementary in the Harrison 2 School District is a preschool through fifth grade school with about 61% of students eligible for free and reduced lunch and 72% from minority groups.

Anthes presented the awards to the schools during virtual ceremonies today.

“We are honored to give this recognition to these schools that have demonstrated the success that comes from administrators, teachers, support staff and parents working together to do whatever it takes to help students achieve,” Anthes said. “Students at these schools have also worked exceptionally hard and their achievements are impressive.” 

The 2020 ESEA Distinguished Schools Program is sponsored by the National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators. 

Each state in the association annually selects two schools to receive the award based on student progress and other indicators of school performance. Both schools will receive an award of $10,000 to support Title I programs, which are designed to assist schools with high percentages of children from low-income families. 

The schools will also be recognized along with other ESEA Distinguished Schools from across the nation at the virtual National Association of ESEA State Program Administrators Conference in February. The attending staff from each recognized school will have an opportunity to participate in workshops, professional development and best-practices presentations. 

Visit the National ESEA Distinguished Schools webpage on the CDE website for more information about the program.