St. Vrain Valley Schools has been named a 2026 District of Distinction by District Administration, receiving national recognition in the Culture, Vision & Strategic Planning category for our innovative approach to ensuring every student graduates prepared for success.
The award honors the district’s comprehensive graduation initiative, which combines the internally-developed GradTracker system with proactive intervention strategies that have produced remarkable results: a 96.6% overall graduation rate—the highest in the Denver Metro Area—and a dramatic reduction in dropout rates to just 0.4%,
“This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire St. Vrain community—educators, administrators, families, and students—who share an unwavering belief that every student can and will graduate with a strong competitive advantage,” said Superintendent Dr. Jackie Kapushion. “Our approach proves that maintaining high academic standards and providing comprehensive support work together to help students succeed.”
The initiative reached a significant milestone with the launch of GradTracker in 2023, representing a fundamental shift from reactive to proactive student support. GradTracker provides real-time monitoring of every high school student’s grades, attendance, and credit accumulation, enabling educators to intervene before students fall behind.
Perhaps most significant are the equity achievements the initiative has produced. The Hispanic graduation rate has increased from 55.9% in 2010 to 92.9% in 2025, a remarkable 37 percentage point gain that now places our Hispanic students with the highest graduation rate in the Denver Metro Area.
These results have been achieved while maintaining the highest graduation requirements in the region at 24.5 credits and increasing Advanced Placement participation to 63% overall, with Hispanic student AP participation growing from 38% to 53%.
The district’s approach includes multiple layers of support: JumpStart summer programming for incoming freshmen, pre-failure intervention systems with guided study halls and targeted tutoring, unit recovery models that allow students to retake only failed concepts rather than entire courses, and expanded eCredit recovery options. Weekly administrator-counselor partnerships and quarterly parent meetings ensure coordinated support for every student.
The District of Distinction award, presented by District Administration, recognizes pioneering initiatives that have made significant impact on student achievement and educational excellence. Award recipients are selected for programs that can inspire and be replicated by educators nationwide.
“We’re not done yet,” Dr. Kapushion noted. “Our mission is to ensure 100% of our students graduate ready for college, career, and life. This award validates our approach, and we’re committed to continuing to refine and improve our systems to serve every student.”
For more information about the Districts of Distinction program, visit District Administration.