Durango School District

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Durango School District Durango School District (DSD, formerly known as 9-R) is a high-performing, award-winning K-12 district in Southwest Colorado.

We focus on academic excellence, bold discovery, and future-ready learning. Ask about our Portrait of a Graduate! Our page is a space for constructive conversations related to our schools. We ask everyone to uphold the following guidelines to ensure this page remains respectful and focused:

FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS
Durango School District 9-R respects the First Amendment rights of all users. These guidelines are intended to allow constructive comments related to district matters while maintaining a safe and respectful environment. RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE
Comments must remain courteous and appropriate for all ages. Hate speech, personal attacks, obscene or vulgar language — including acronyms or abbreviations for swearing — threats of violence, advocating illegal activity, and discrimination based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnicity will not be tolerated. STAY ON TOPIC
This page is not a platform for unrelated political commentary, personal agendas, or debates not tied to the subject matter of the post. All comments must be related to the subject matter of the post. PROPER CHANNELS FOR FEEDBACK
If you wish to address the Board of Education, please use appropriate methods such as:
* Public comment during Regular Meetings
* Emailing the board directly at [email protected]
The comment section is not a replacement for those official channels. NO COMMENTS ON BOARD MEETING POSTS
All comments will be disabled during Facebook livestreams of Board meetings or on posts about upcoming Board meetings. Please use the official channels listed above to share feedback or concerns with the Board. MANAGING HARMFUL DISCUSSIONS
Posts with comments that violate this policy such as hate speech, personal attacks, threats, or harassment, may be removed at the district’s discretion. PRIVACY MATTERS
Do not share personal or private information such as phone numbers or email addresses. Such content will be removed to protect privacy. ACCOUNT AUTHENTICITY
Comments must come from real, identifiable accounts. Accounts may be considered "fake or anonymous" if they:
* Lack a profile picture or use a generic placeholder image.
* Have minimal or no visible activity, friends, or interactions.
* Use clearly fictitious names (e.g., "John Doe123" or "Account User").
* Engage in repetitive posting or spam-like behavior. Accounts that appear fake or anonymous may be blocked after review. PROHIBITED CONTENT
Spam, commercial promotions, links to external sites, documents or materials written by others, or solicitations, will be removed. HOLD HARMLESS
All comments are the responsibility of the commenter. The District doesn't endorse the comments or opinions of visitors to the site. By posting, you agree to hold Durango School District 9-R harmless from any liability. Thank you for helping us keep this space a positive, respectful environment for all.

📣 What’s New in Our Schools?Stay in the loop with the latest updates, stories, and happenings in Durango School District...
10/24/2026

📣 What’s New in Our Schools?
Stay in the loop with the latest updates, stories, and happenings in Durango School District!

📅 Check out this week’s Community Update (Oct. 23): https://t.e2ma.net/message/ed311i/mj98ulec

This week’s top stories:
🏛️ State of the District update Oct. 27
🗣️ 7th graders debate justice in Socratic seminar
🚫 Keep Red Zones clear during pickup/drop-off
🏗️ Three Springs Elementary progress continues
👻 DEF event raises $45k for classrooms

👉 Don’t miss out—subscribe today: https://ow.ly/AI0u5100GIQ

Let us keep you connected!

10/23/2026

Good news for our local schools! 🎟️✨ Durango Education Foundation (DEF) reached its full $45,000 fundraising goal at the 4th Annual Spirits With the Spectres event.

Thanks to 125 ticket holders, dedicated volunteers, board members, district staff, and our incredible community sponsors, this sell-out event was a roaring success.

Every dollar raised directly impacts our students and classrooms — funding DEF’s $160,000 classroom grants program, supporting over $100,000 in scholarships for graduating seniors, and honoring our educators through events like the Staff Appreciation Celebration.

Mark your calendars for next year’s event on October 16, 2027.

📷 Photos by volunteer photographer David Porter.

〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️〰️

🏡 Schools are at the heart of our community. Stay connected with Durango School District through our free weekly Community Update — featuring student successes, district news, upcoming events, and stories that matter to our community.

📬 Sign up for DSD’s Community Update newsletter: https://www.durangoschools.org/subscribe



⚖️ What can ancient laws teach us about justice, fairness, and respect today?  Seventh graders at Miller Middle School t...
10/22/2026

⚖️ What can ancient laws teach us about justice, fairness, and respect today? Seventh graders at Miller Middle School tackled that question in a student-led Socratic seminar, comparing Hammurabi’s Code with modern approaches to school discipline.

🗣️ For Social Studies Teacher Sarah Whitehurst, the lesson was about more than history. It was about the power of human-to-human connection. Through face-to-face discussion, students practiced listening, thinking critically, showing empathy, and respectfully disagreeing with their peers.

In a world increasingly shaped by technology and AI, Whitehurst believes these skills are more important than ever. 🌎

Read how Miller students are learning to make their voices heard while respecting the perspectives of others: https://ow.ly/6vJT5100kv2

📝School Storytellers: Thank you to MMS Social Studies Teacher Sarah Whitehurst, who shared this story tip.




🕰️ It's Throwback Thursday! 🕰️  This Durango High School Toltec page offers this quote: "We deal with pressures in a pos...
10/22/2026

🕰️ It's Throwback Thursday! 🕰️ This Durango High School Toltec page offers this quote: "We deal with pressures in a positive way and are always looking for a way to have fun, not stress."

OK, DHS alumni, any more words of wisdom for our current students? Guess the year, tag your friends, call a friend, and go do something fun. 😎

Join the Durango School District Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Karen Cheser for an evening that celebrates o...
10/19/2026

Join the Durango School District Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Karen Cheser for an evening that celebrates our schools and looks ahead to the future.

The State of the District: A Community Update & Celebration will be held Oct. 27, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Impact Career Innovation Center, 2410 Main Ave. This community event will offer transparency on test scores and district progress, highlight recent student successes, and outline the steps we’re taking to support academic growth and expand opportunities for all learners.

Attendees will hear directly from district leaders and staff about how we’re working to increase proficiency, strengthen programs, and give students more pathways to thrive. After a short presentation, there will be time for Q&A. Families and community members are also invited to explore interactive dashboards and talk with staff one-on-one about the data and our plans.

Spanish interpretation will be available. All are welcome. We look forward to celebrating with you!

The DSD Board of Education will meet for a Regular Session on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, 5:30 p.m. at the Impact Career Inn...
10/19/2026

The DSD Board of Education will meet for a Regular Session on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, 5:30 p.m. at the Impact Career Innovation Center (2410 Main Ave., on the Durango High School campus). The public is welcome.

🎤 Public comment will be taken. The sign-up form for virtual OR in-person Public Participation will open tonight at 5 p.m. Oct. 19, at this link: https://ow.ly/hyI650ZYevl

📹 This meeting will be livestreamed and recorded on the district's YouTube page beginning at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at this link: https://ow.ly/GMAW50ZYevf

📂 View the meeting agenda and presentations here: https://ow.ly/s28B50ZYevi

📣 What’s New in Our Schools?Stay in the loop with the latest updates, stories, and happenings in Durango School District...
10/17/2026

📣 What’s New in Our Schools?
Stay in the loop with the latest updates, stories, and happenings in Durango School District!

📅 Check out this week’s Community Update (Oct. 16): https://t.e2ma.net/message/m7zl1i/mj98ulec

This week’s top stories:
📅 No Classes: Conference Day Oct. 19
🥔 AVE Hosts First Garden Harvest Day
🏺 DHS Ceramics Students Craft Art Projects
🎟️ Bid on DEF Online Silent Auction
🏫 School Board Meets Oct. 20

👉 Don’t miss out—subscribe today: https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/1720193/1714944.4612864/?v=a

Let us keep you connected!

🥔🌻 Growing greener, one garden bed at a time! Students at Animas Valley Elementary School are putting sustainability int...
10/16/2026

🥔🌻 Growing greener, one garden bed at a time! Students at Animas Valley Elementary School are putting sustainability into action! With help from their student Green Team and special guest Jerry Zink, AVE transformed its school garden to conserve water, grow fresh food, and inspire young gardeners.

The school celebrated its first-ever Garden Harvest Day last month by bringing students, families, and community members together to harvest, cook, and enjoy the fruits (and veggies!) of their labor. From homegrown potatoes to freshly made kale chips, this was hands-on learning at its finest! 🌱

📸 See the photos and read the full story: https://ow.ly/jS1O50ZYwvh

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📝 School Storytellers: Thank you to AVE 3rd Grade Teacher Kathleen Smith, who shared this story tip and accompanying photos.

🏡 Schools are at the heart of our community. Stay connected with Durango School District through our free weekly Community Update — featuring student successes, district news, upcoming events, and stories that matter to our community. Sign up for DSD’s Community Update newsletter: https://ow.ly/xUIn50ZYwvf




Monday, Oct. 19, is Conference Day. There will be no classes, but schools will be open for scheduled parent-teacher conf...
10/16/2026

Monday, Oct. 19, is Conference Day. There will be no classes, but schools will be open for scheduled parent-teacher conferences. Classes will resume Tuesday, Oct. 20.

10/15/2026

Thank you, Durango High Noon Rotary, for supporting our students! ❤️

Address

281 Sawyer Drive, Suite 100
Durango, CO
81303

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+19702475411

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