Florida Mesa Elementary

Florida Mesa Elementary Florida Mesa is a thriving school community that serves students PreK through 5th grade, supporting all students so they may reach their maximum potential.

Florida Mesa is a thriving school community that serves approximately 370 students preschool through fifth grade. The staff is highly committed to supporting all students reach their maximum potential. The academic programming provided to each learner is specifically tailored to individual student needs. The staff uses common formative assessments authentically to inform their instructional approa

ches. All students receive instruction in the general classroom setting and participate in differentiated literacy and math groups based on their particular learning strengths and needs. Students engage in personal goal setting and monitor their own progress in order to understand their own present levels compared with the grade level expectations. This allows students to take ownership in the learning process and is highly motivating to each student. Distinguishing Characteristics of Our School:
•Inquiry-based studies and personalized learning models
•Dedicated and dynamic staff who support all students
•Extracurricular programs after school including: orchestra, art clubs, nature clubs, robotics club, and Girls on the Run
•Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) School
•Supportive parents, Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) and School Accountability Committee (SAC)

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🚲☀️ A few fun memories from our last day of school- Bike Rodeo! Students had a blast riding through activities, practici...
05/22/2026

🚲☀️ A few fun memories from our last day of school- Bike Rodeo! Students had a blast riding through activities, practicing bike safety skills, and celebrating the end of an amazing school year with friends.

A huge thank you to Durango Devo, the Durango Fire & Rescue, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife for helping make this such a memorable event for our Mustangs. We appreciate the time, support, and fun you brought to our students!

We hope all of our Mustang families have a happy, safe, and adventure-filled summer! 🐎💙

☀️🏃‍♂️🎉 Yesterday, our Mustangs had an amazing time at Field Day! Students enjoyed relay races, face painting, soccer, a...
05/22/2026

☀️🏃‍♂️🎉 Yesterday, our Mustangs had an amazing time at Field Day! Students enjoyed relay races, face painting, soccer, and lots of other fun games and activities throughout the day.

Field Day is always a favorite tradition because it gives students the chance to encourage one another, work together, and make lasting memories as the school year comes to a close. We loved seeing so many smiles, cheers, and moments of Mustang pride throughout the day!

A big thank you to our staff, volunteers, and everyone who helped make the day such a success for our students.
And a very special thank you to Mr. Goring, who is retiring this year and has been the heart behind Field Day for 9 years. Many Mustangs have grown up making memories because of the time, energy, and care he poured into this tradition. His impact on our students and school community is something that will be felt for years to come, and Field Day won’t be quite the same without him. 🐎💙

05/21/2026

🎓🐎 Yesterday, we had the special opportunity to welcome back the Durango High School Class of 2026 seniors who once walked the halls of Florida Mesa as little Mustangs.

It’s hard to believe those young students are now confident, accomplished seniors getting ready to take on the world. Seeing them return reminded us how quickly time passes and how strong the Mustang community truly is.

We are so proud of all they have accomplished and excited for the adventures, opportunities, and futures ahead of them. Once a Mustang, always a Mustang. Congrats class of 2026 💙✨

🎓💙 Today, we celebrated our incredible 5th graders as they graduated from Florida Mesa and prepared to begin their next ...
05/19/2026

🎓💙 Today, we celebrated our incredible 5th graders as they graduated from Florida Mesa and prepared to begin their next chapter. It’s hard to believe the students who once walked through our doors as little Mustangs are now ready to take on middle school with confidence, strength, and kindness.

To our 5th graders: keep being curious, work hard, include others, and never be afraid to try something new. There will be challenges ahead, but remember that growth happens when you keep showing up, keep learning, and keep believing in yourself.

You have left your mark on Florida Mesa, and we are so proud of the leaders, friends, and role models you have become. Once a Mustang, always a Mustang. 🐎✨

🏜️✨ On Thursday, our 4th graders had the incredible opportunity to visit Mesa Verde National Park  and experience histor...
05/18/2026

🏜️✨ On Thursday, our 4th graders had the incredible opportunity to visit Mesa Verde National Park and experience history firsthand! After spending the year studying Colorado cultures, students were able to explore the ancient cliff dwellings and learn more about the Ancestral Pueblo people who once called this area home.

Seeing Mesa Verde in person brought classroom learning to life in such a meaningful way. Students explored the history, culture, architecture, and daily life of one of the most important historical sites in Colorado while taking in the beauty of the canyon landscapes and preserved dwellings.

This trip brought learning beyond the classroom walls and gave students a deeper appreciation for the history, culture, and people who shaped Colorado. We loved seeing our Mustangs so engaged, curious, and excited to connect their learning to the world around them. 🐎💙

🤗 It's Friday Feels! 🤗  This week, under cool skies and sweeping views of pinyon, sagebrush, and mountains, leaders, stu...
05/15/2026

🤗 It's Friday Feels! 🤗 This week, under cool skies and sweeping views of pinyon, sagebrush, and mountains, leaders, students, staff, and community partners gathered to break ground on the future Three Springs Elementary School (TSES) — a place where children will one day learn, grow, explore, and discover who they are.

Change can be unsettling. But this moment was also a reminder that our district continues to plant seeds for the future.

🏫 The new school, funded through the voter-approved 2024 Investing in Our Schools Bond, will open in fall 2028. It will eventually replace Florida Mesa Elementary School and is designed to connect students deeply to the outdoors and the growing Three Springs community.

Outdoor classroom porches. Flexible learning spaces. Trails, sky, and nature woven into the school day. A modern school built for future generations of Durango kids. As Superintendent Dr. Karen Cheser shared at the groundbreaking: “We are building something remarkable.”

That’s the feeling we will carry into this weekend: Hope. Even during difficult conversations and changing times, communities can still come together to build something beautiful for children. 🌱

Why build a school at Three Springs? Read a note from Superintendent Dr. Karen Cheser: https://www.durangoschools.org/apps/news/article/2199919

Read the full story on the groundbreaking event https://www.durangoschools.org/apps/news/article/2199403?categoryId=7036





On May 12, the Durango School District Board of Education held a Special Meeting/Work Session at Animas Valley Elementar...
05/13/2026

On May 12, the Durango School District Board of Education held a Special Meeting/Work Session at Animas Valley Elementary School. The Board agreed to postpone the decision to consolidate Sunnyside and expressed a need for more information and community feedback. They agreed to determine a timeline for decision making at the May 26 Regular Meeting.

Learn more about the feedback gathered up to this point in this story: https://ow.ly/lwoa50YYZ4g

05/12/2026

🍕🎉 Nothing like a little friendly teacher competition! 🎉🍕

Yesterday, our teachers competed in the Pizza Box Challenge for a chance to win their class an extra recess! This high-energy game had staff balancing pizza boxes on one hand while trying to knock opponents’ boxes down using strategy, quick reflexes, and plenty of teamwork.

There were lots of laughs, cheering, and fun from students and staff alike. Congratulations to Mrs. Maestas for winning her class an extra recess! 🐎💙

Address

216 Highway 172
Durango, CO
81303

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