Each year, students from Frederick High School have the opportunity to participate in the Frederick Police Department’s summer youth police academy, a hands-on program designed to build meaningful connections between students and the officers who serve their community. The academy fosters lasting relationships between students and the school resource officers (SROs), who are officers assigned to work directly in the school environment, students interact with throughout the academic year and in the community.
The week-long program takes place during the first week of June at Frederick High School and is organized and led by the Frederick Police Department. The academy brings together Frederick’s school resource officers with instructors from across the department’s specialty units. Andy Fairbanks is the school resource officer at Frederick High School, and has led the program for seven years.
The academy’s hands-on approach immerses students in real-world scenarios. Students experience traffic stop simulations, witness K-9 demonstrations, and engage in training activities that showcase the diverse responsibilities of law enforcement. These experiences provide students with authentic insight into the challenges and rewards of police work while building connections with police officers that serve their community.
“While the academy is geared toward students who are interested in law enforcement, we also welcome those who are just curious to learn more about what we do,” Fairbanks explained. “It’s about giving students a full picture of policing, and just as importantly, it’s a way for us to continue building relationships with them outside the school year.”
What makes the program particularly impactful is its collaborative structure. While Frederick’s SROs coordinate the academy, officers from various specialty units contribute their expertise as instructors. This approach exposes students to different perspectives within the department and, as Fairbanks noted, helps “humanize the badge” by helping students get to know the people behind the uniform.
Frederick’s Youth Police Academy demonstrates the strong partnership between St. Vrain Valley Schools and local law enforcement. Through this collaboration, students gain valuable real-world experiences while building trust and understanding with the officers who support their school community. These connections continue to strengthen throughout the school year, creating a safer, more supportive environment for all students.
Summer school students at Longmont’s Eagle Crest Elementary are taking part in an all-school read-aloud of a story about a snake who rescues other animals, learning about space through a visit from Fiske’s traveling, inflatable planetarium, and competing in STEM building challenges.
Along with the fun activities, they’re working with teachers in small groups to learn the math and literacy skills they struggled with last school year, giving them extra time to get ready to move to the next grade.
Gangkar Rinchen used clay Wednesday to sculpt the superhero he wants to be: A guy with a cape who can jump from page to page in comic books, giving him the advantage he needs to take out the most dangerous villains.
The rising fifth grader at Longmont’s Flagstaff Academy made the figure during St. Vrain Valley’s Let’s Make a Superhero camp. Elementary and middle school students also filmed short movies, coded arcade-style video games and developed products to sell during STEM camps held this week at Longmont’s Timberline PK-8.
Rising seventh grader Owen Lere took on the role of both a lawyer and a witness as he and his team tried to convince a jury to award damages in a fictitious case of a boy who was burned during a school marshmallow melting experiment.
While his side didn’t prevail — the defense had a legal edge — the experience only increased his enthusiasm for learning about the legal system with a goal of becoming an actual lawyer.
Thank you for your strong partnership in supporting a successful school year for our students, teachers, and staff. In addition to the hundreds of students engaged in our Project Launch extended school year program, St. Vrain Valley Schools remains committed to providing students and families with high-quality learning resources to use at home.
Why Summer Learning Matters: Research shows that consistent engagement with learning during summer months helps maintain academic momentum. Students who continue educational activities over the break return to school better prepared and confident. Our Summer Learning Liftoff program is designed to support your child’s ongoing growth with engaging and enjoyable activities that reinforce key skills.
All K-12 students will bring home their iPads over summer break, providing access to the digital tools and resources used throughout the school year. These devices allow students to utilize curriculum options highlighted on St. Vrain’s Summer Learning Liftoff page, which offers grade-level activities designed to reinforce key concepts from the past year and preview learning for the year ahead. These resources are designed to help students stay engaged, curious, and prepared for a strong start in August.
Families can explore early summer activities now to review familiar material and build new skills. A reminder email will be sent in July, sharing Summer Learning Liftoff resources that focus on late summer activities in preparation for the new school year.
To support families, our Family Resources for iPad Support page includes how-to guides for using your student’s iPad, tips for healthy digital habits, affordable internet options, and more.
These activities are optional, and if you as a parent do not want your child to access the iPad throughout the summer, please contact your school building principal and you can drop off the iPad at the school.
We wish all our families a safe and enjoyable summer break and encourage you to take advantage of these resources to keep learning going and prepare for the year ahead.
We are pleased to announce that following a thorough and deliberate search process, the Board of Education has appointed Dr. Jackie Kapushion as the next Superintendent of St. Vrain Valley Schools, effective July 1, 2025.
Dr. Kapushion brings exceptional qualifications to this role, including 36 years of experience in public education, 10 years in St. Vrain Valley Schools, and eight years of distinguished service as our Deputy Superintendent. Her deep understanding of our district’s culture, unwavering commitment to student success, and proven leadership make her the best choice to advance St. Vrain Valley Schools into the future.
As we celebrate this appointment, we also take this opportunity to again express our profound gratitude to Dr. Don Haddad for his extraordinary leadership and lasting legacy. Under his guidance, St. Vrain Valley Schools has become a model of educational excellence, innovation, and community partnership. His visionary approach to succession planning has ensured a seamless transition that will allow us to continue building upon our strong foundation of success.
Dr. Kapushion’s vision for St. Vrain Valley Schools centers on what she calls “The St. Vrain Commitment” – ensuring that each and every student will be recognized for their unique talents and aspirations and receive an exceptional PreK-12 experience that prepares them to graduate with a strong competitive advantage. Her focus on maintaining our tradition of excellence while embracing innovation directly aligns with our district’s strategic priorities and community values.
Throughout our search process, we were deeply grateful for the thoughtful feedback provided by community members regarding priorities for our next superintendent, strengths to maintain, anticipated challenges, and new opportunities for our district. Your input was instrumental in guiding our decision and reinforcing our commitment to what is best for St. Vrain Valley Schools.
We are confident that under Dr. Kapushion’s leadership, our district will continue to thrive. Her collaborative approach, proven ability to build effective systems, and unwavering focus on student success have earned strong endorsements from educational leaders and community partners alike. As one reference shared, “Jackie holds her team to the highest standards. She’s the kind of leader who makes you want to be better.”
The strength of our school district has always been rooted in the partnership between our schools, families, and community. We thank you for your continued support and engagement as we work together to ensure every student in St. Vrain Valley Schools receives the exceptional education they deserve.
We look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead as Dr. Kapushion leads us in advancing our mission of student achievement and global success. Together, we will continue to demonstrate the true Public School Advantage.
Seniors across the St. Vrain Valley School District tossed their caps to the sky and looked toward the future at commencement ceremonies this weekend.
On Saturday, the district celebrated its graduates with ceremonies at Longmont, Silver Creek, Skyline, Niwot, Lyons, Mead, Erie and Frederick high schools.
St. Vrain Valley Schools continues to lead in developing a strong, future-ready education workforce through its P-TEACH program, which offers high school students the opportunity to explore teaching careers while earning college credit and gaining hands-on classroom experience.
This year, 55 high school graduates completed the P-TEACH program, collectively earning 441 college credits across 149 courses—representing more than $175,000 in potential tuition savings for students and families. More than 20 graduates are committed to pursuing postsecondary degrees in education. For the first time, students who completed at least five P-TEACH courses and 12 college credits will be recognized with graduation cords, with 14 students receiving this honor. Notably, four students earned more than 30 college credits before graduating high school.
Through built-in field experiences, P-TEACH students work alongside classroom teachers, gaining real-world insight into the teaching profession. These opportunities allow students to explore a range of focus areas, including elementary, early childhood, secondary, English Language Development (ELD), and special education, all while completing high school requirements and transferable college coursework. New this year, expanded course offerings in partnership with CU Denver included general education classes such as Universal Design for Learning, as well as education technology electives like Digital Teaching and Learning. These additions broadened pathways for students interested in secondary education and high-demand subject areas.
In addition to P-TEACH, several schools offer the Instructional Student Assistant (ISA) program, designed for juniors and seniors interested in gaining direct classroom experience where they support student learning as peer tutors while completing a CU Denver field experience course for college credit. Originally launched at Silver Creek High School, the program has expanded to Longmont High School and is being adopted in additional schools across the district.
ISA students are paired with mentor teachers and spend time in classrooms each week, typically two to three days, assisting with small group instruction, one-on-one student support, and classroom activities. They can also choose to enroll in a semester-long asynchronous college course, attend monthly professional development sessions at Silver Creek High or twice-monthly lunch sessions at Longmont High, and complete a summary project focused on student engagement strategies. Upon completion, students earn an industry-recognized tutoring certification. The ISA program provides another meaningful avenue for students to build leadership skills and contribute positively to their school communities, while also offering a glimpse into teaching as a potential career path, especially in high-demand subject areas like math and science.
St. Vrain’s continued investment in educator development is equipping students with the tools, experiences, and confidence to thrive, while addressing statewide workforce needs and advancing innovation in education.
On Wednesday, May 21, students enrolled in the Advanced Manufacturing Academy at St. Vrain Valley Schools’ Career Elevation and Technology Center (CETC) presented 10 handcrafted, metal American flags to current residents of the Veteran Community Project (VCP) in Longmont.
CETC students unveil the handcrafted, metal American flags created for local veterans
This event marks the beginning of a meaningful partnership between the CETC and VCP, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing housing and support services to veterans. Moving forward, students in the academy will create a custom flag for each new resident as they make the VCP community their home.
Austin Mcfarlin, a Niwot High School student, shared his personal connection to the project. “I really enjoyed learning more about the fine art side of manufacturing,” he said. “Additionally, it was important for me to be a part of this because my grandpa is a veteran, and so I feel like this is a great way to give back to those who served.”
A CETC student gifts the handcrafted, metal American flag he created to a local veteran
Brody Richards, a student at Erie High School, echoed that sentiment. “My favorite part of the whole project was helping to make gifts for veterans because it’s a great way to say ‘thank you’ for serving and protecting our country.”
The Advanced Manufacturing Academy prepares students for careers in fields like machining, welding, and engineering technology. Through real-world applications such as this partnership, students gain industry-relevant experience and learn the value of community engagement and service.
Members of the CETC and VCP community stand together with the handcrafted, metal American flags
The Veteran Community Project, which began in Kansas City and has expanded to locations like Longmont, provides transitional housing in the form of tiny homes and connects veterans with essential support services. With this new collaboration, each veteran welcomed into the Longmont community will receive a personalized symbol of appreciation, crafted with pride by the next generation of the St. Vrain Valley Community. As the partnership continues, students and veterans alike stand to benefit from a shared mission of service, respect and resilience.
Four remarkable journeys culminate in emotional ‘first look’ moments as Class of 2025 graduates reveal their academic regalia to the families who supported them through St. Vrain’s transformative educational experience. Click here to watch now.
Superintendent’s Update
Dear. St. Vrain Valley Community,
As I write my final Superintendent Update letter, I am filled with immense gratitude for the extraordinary journey we have shared together over the past 24 years, including 16 years as your superintendent. This milestone moment gives me an opportunity to reflect on our collective achievements and to look forward with great optimism to the continued success of our students, teachers, staff, and schools.
When I first joined St. Vrain in 2001 as the principal of Niwot High School, I could never have imagined the remarkable transformation our district would undergo. Together, we have built what I believe to be the finest public education system in the United States—a bold claim, but one I make with unwavering conviction and immense pride as I prepare to retire at the end of this school year.
The #StVrainStorm we’ve created together—that vortex of achievement, advancement, and infinite potential—continues to provide our students with a powerful competitive advantage as they enter an increasingly complex world. Our 2023-2024 on-time graduation rate reached an unprecedented 94.3%, the highest in the Denver Metro Area, and is poised to increase yet again for the 2024-2025 school year, while maintaining the most rigorous graduation requirements and the lowest dropout rate at 0.4%. These statistics are not merely numbers; they represent real students whose lives have been forever changed by the opportunities they’ve received in our schools.
I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how our students have thrived in our district’s innovative programs, including our instructional focus academies in Biomedical Sciences, Business, Energy, Engineering and Aerospace, Medical and BioScience, Leadership, STEM, Visual and Performing Arts, Pathways to Teaching (P-TEACH), Pathways in Technology Early College High School Associate Degree Program (P-TECH), and more. Our investments in world-class facilities such as the Innovation Center and Career Elevation and Technology Center have given our students unparalleled opportunities to develop skills in emerging industries such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and now, quantum computing.
This year’s graduating class exemplifies everything we’ve worked to achieve. They’ve shattered records for enrollment in rigorous Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and concurrent enrollment college-level courses. With the opportunity to earn approximately 34,500 college credits, they have saved their families an estimated $20 million in future tuition costs. Their achievements have been recognized through prestigious scholarships and acceptances to highly competitive universities, colleges, and military academies across the nation.
What I am most proud of, however, is the people who make up this extraordinary community. It is the students who inspire us with their brilliance and potential, the families who partner with us in their children’s education, the teachers and staff who dedicate their lives to the mission of public education, and the community leaders, business owners, and countless others who champion our schools.
None of our accomplishments would have been possible without your continued support and partnership. Together, we have:
Created high-quality preschool and full-day kindergarten programs in all elementary school communities 15 years prior to state fully funding them
Established a nationally recognized model for innovation and workforce development
Significantly raised student achievement across all measures
Grown our competitive robotics program to become the largest in the state with numerous state, national, and world championship titles
Expanded opportunities in athletics, visual and performing arts, and co-curricular programs—this includes growing our music programs to be in the top 15% nationally for the past five years, and for many years winning the highest number of athletic championships by percentage of students in Colorado
Implemented high-quality 1:1 technology access for all students
Extended the school day and year through Project Launch and our Achievement Acceleration Academy
Successfully secured approximately $75 million in competitive grants
Passed three bond initiatives and two mill levy overrides that have funded nine new schools and brought in billions of dollars of investment into our schools and community.
As I prepare for this transition, I remain steadfast in my belief that “out of our public school grows the greatness of a nation.” The path forward is filled with limitless potential—our financial foundation is strong, our academic achievements continue to soar, and most importantly, our community remains unified in its dedication to providing every child with the very best educational opportunities.
To our students, families, teachers, staff, and community members—thank you for making these years the greatest honor of my professional life. Your compassion, dedication, and innovative spirit will undoubtedly lead our district and our nation forward to greater heights.
With profound gratitude and optimism for the future, Don Haddad, Ed.D. Superintendent @SVVSDSupt
Featured Stories
Class of 2025
Meet Some of St. Vrain’s 2025 Outstanding Grads
Meet just a few of our approximately 2,300 outstanding graduates who will walk across a stage this week to receive their St. Vrain Valley Schools diploma. Congratulations to all students in the Class of 2025! Click here to read more.
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Class of 2025
St. Vrain 4.0+ Grads Around the World
We are preparing our students for their future by giving them a strong competitive advantage and cultivating a drive for learning and continued growth. See where our 4.0+ graduates are attending college in the fall. Click here to read more.
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#StVrainStorm
Global Citizens in the Making
St. Vrain’s four International Baccalaureate programs transform curious young minds into globally-prepared leaders. Read More in StVrainnovation Magazine.
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#StVrainStorm
This is What a Champion is Made Of
Character, teamwork, strength, resilience, leadership, commitment, passion, and creativity—to name a few. While we most often see these traits play out on our athletic courts and fields, every day across St. Vrain Valley Schools, our students are embodying champion mindsets in their classrooms, in after-school robotics practice, in extra-curricular leadership roles, on the stage, and in their communities. Read More in StVrainnovation Magazine.
St. Vrain Valley Schools is proud to celebrate the many accomplishments of our Class of 2025 and invites the entire community to join the celebrations virtually through the livestreams of our graduation ceremonies. Click here for more information.
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Filling Fast
Summer Camp Registration is Open
St. Vrain Valley Schools offers robust summer programming options to keep students engaged in their academic learning. Click here for more information.
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Registration Open
Register for 2025-2026 Transportation Services
If you are interested in having your child ride the bus for the 2025-2026 school year, please apply for transportation services as soon as possible. We make every effort to accommodate as many eligible riders as possible. Click here for more information.
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ComMunity Connection
Now Hiring: Join the #StVrainStorm
You will be joining a highly effective and supportive team of professionals who are having a significant impact in the lives of students and families within our community. Click here for open positions.
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Teacher Appreciation
For 25 years and beyond, these teachers have shaped lives, inspired futures, and built a legacy one student at a time. Watch their powerful reflections on what it means to teach and why they still do. Watch now. #TeacherAppreciationWeek #StVrainStorm
