Superintendent’s Update: Congratulations Class of 2026

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St. Vrain Valley Schools is grateful for the outstanding educators who inspire curiosity, build meaningful relationships, and empower students to reach their full potential. Our teachers are the heart of the St. Vrain Advantage, and we thank them for their dedication and lasting impact across our communities. View Full Video Library.

Superintendent’s Update

Our Graduates Are Proof of the Public School Advantage

Graduation is my favorite time of year, and this spring, as I have the privilege of celebrating my first graduation season as Superintendent of St. Vrain Valley Schools, I am overwhelmed with pride for the approximately 2,400 graduates who will walk across the stage to receive their diplomas. Standing alongside our Board of Education, our teachers and staff, families, and the business and community partners who have invested so deeply in these students, there is no moment in education more powerful than watching a graduate step into their future. The Class of 2026 has earned every bit of the celebration they are about to receive.

I have spent my entire career in public education because I believe that public schools are the greatest pathway to opportunity in America. In a time when public education faces no shortage of criticism and political headwinds, I want our community to know that what is happening inside St. Vrain Valley Schools should make everyone very proud. Our public schools are doing extraordinary work, and our graduates are living proof. They have been educated in a system that prioritizes opportunity through both rigorous academics and real-world relevance, tradition and innovation, and high expectations and genuine care for every child. This is the St. Vrain Advantage, and it is something we will continue to champion loudly and unapologetically.

St. Vrain Valley Schools has achieved a 96.8% on-time graduation rate, the highest in the Denver Metro Area, while maintaining among the most rigorous graduation requirements of any school district in the region and the lowest dropout rate. Our students are meeting and exceeding expectations that would challenge students anywhere in the country, and that combination of high completion and high standards reflects the commitment our teachers, counselors, and staff make to every student who walks through our doors.

This graduating class has shattered records in enrollment in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and concurrent enrollment college-level courses, earning thousands of college credits before receiving their high school diplomas. Those credits save families millions of dollars in future tuition costs and give our graduates a running start on their postsecondary journeys. Our seniors have also earned millions of dollars in scholarships, including some of the most prestigious awards in the state and nation. Daniels Scholars, National Merit honorees, and students accepted to highly competitive universities, military service academies, and sought-after apprenticeship and skilled trades programs are all represented in this graduating class.

From their earliest years in our high-quality preschool programs through their final days of high school, these graduates have had access to an educational experience that is unmatched. They have thrived in our instructional focus academies spanning Biomedical Sciences, Engineering and Aerospace, Leadership, STEM, Visual and Performing Arts, P-TEACH, P-TECH, and dozens of workforce pathways that connect classroom learning to careers in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, aerospace, and beyond. They have logged countless hours in internships and community service, and competed on athletic fields and performed on stages across the country. They have built world-championship robots, earned industry certifications, conducted original medical and scientific research, and in many cases, completed associate degrees before picking up their high school diplomas. Our world-class facilities like the Innovation Center and Career Elevation and Technology Center have given these students hands-on experience with emerging industries that most young people do not encounter until college.

At the heart of everything we do in St. Vrain is a commitment I hold deeply: that each and every student will be recognized for their unique talents and aspirations, and receive an exceptional educational experience so they graduate with a strong, competitive advantage. The Class of 2026 embodies that commitment. They are creative thinkers and problem solvers, who are collaborative, resilient, and prepared to contribute to their communities and to our country in meaningful ways. Whether they are heading to a four-year university, a community college, a technical program, the military, or directly into the workforce, they leave St. Vrain ready.

To our graduating seniors, I want you to know how incredibly proud I am of each of you. You are stepping into a world that needs your energy, empathy, brilliance, creativity, and your willingness to lead. The education you have received in St. Vrain Valley Schools has prepared you well, and the community that raised you will be cheering you on every step of the way. Congratulations, Class of 2026.

With pride,
Jackie Kapushion, Ed.D.
Superintendent, St. Vrain Valley Schools

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Soaring Heights PK-8 Students Bring Shoe Designs to Life with Crocs, Inc.

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Sixth grade students at Soaring Heights PK-8 recently combined creativity and business strategy through a classroom economics project in partnership with Crocs, Inc., designing custom shoes while exploring key principles of economics. As part of the experience, the winning design created by Olivia Sanders and Taylor Wharry was later manufactured and presented to the students and their teachers.

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Olivia Sanders and Taylor Wharry, sixth grade students at Soaring Heights, pose with their winning shoe design from Crocs.

Before the winning shoe design was chosen, students explored supply and demand, marketing, and pricing strategies. Working collaboratively in teams, they researched buyer trends and considered what kinds of designs would appeal to specific audiences. The students discussed how much their shoes should cost, what features would make their designs stand out from competitors, and how innovation can influence consumer interest.

The project challenged students to think beyond the classroom by combining creativity with real-world business concepts. Melissa Layton, Vice President of Global Communications at Crocs, said the company was impressed by the thoughtful way students approached the process, from identifying their target audience to collaborating on designs that stood out. “Being able to bring the winning design to life and sharing the final product with the students made the experience even more meaningful and fun, and we look forward to creating with them again in the future,” she shared.

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Max Mandel, Sr. Director Digital Insights And Innovation at Crocs, and Melissa Layton, Vice President of Global Communications visit the classroom to meet the students and present the winning shoes. 

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More Than Music: Erie Elementary Students Build Confidence and Connection Through Band

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Fourth and fifth grade students at Erie Elementary file into the music room with anticipation, eagerly pulling their instruments from their cases as they prepare for their final performance of the year. The sounds of trumpets, trombones, clarinets, flutes, and even a saxophone quickly fill the room as students warm-up. While a handful of students are returning for their second year in band, for many, this marks the very first time they have ever picked up an instrument.

Since starting the program in 2013, band director and music teacher Anna Schultz has watched the program continuously grow each year. She believes introducing students to music at a young age gives them an opportunity to discover new interests while building confidence and connection with their peers. “At this age, there are a lot of opportunities for clubs and physical activities, but not as many for music,” Schultz shared. “Starting at a younger age provides them with a community to be a part of, and a chance to find an instrument that they enjoy playing.”

At Erie Elementary, band has become more than just learning notes and rhythms. It has created a space where they can challenge themselves, collaborate with classmates, and build friendships as they prepare for performances throughout the year. Each student brings their own interests and inspirations to the program, creating a band community filled with different personalities and musical goals.

For Aaron Farnsworth, a fourth grade saxophone player, music has always been part of his life. Growing up surrounded by family members who play instruments, such as the flute and clarinet, inspired his interest in music. However it was seeing a character play the saxophone in the Super Mario Brothers video game that convinced him to give the instrument a try. “If another student asked me about band, I would tell them they should do it and it’s really cool,” he shared.

Fifth grade clarinet player Nora Mauck also found band to be a meaningful way to connect with others while further exploring her love of music. With previous experience playing the ukulele, she decided to join band and quickly discovered how much she enjoyed being part of the group. “Band is really fun, and you get to know a lot of people before middle school,” Nora shared. “My brother was in band and that’s where he met his best friend, and they’re still friends.”

As the school year comes to a close, the excitement filling the music room reflects more than just preparation for a performance. For Erie Elementary students, band has become a place to discover new talents, gain confidence, and create lasting friendships through music.

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