It has been another extraordinary year in St. Vrain Valley Schools. One filled with many challenges due to the global coronavirus pandemic, but more importantly, it has been a year full of great resilience, outstanding student engagement, robust creativity, and compassionate community support. For our Class of 2021, it is an honor to recognize the unwavering drive, strength of character, and rigorous academic preparation that has propelled approximately 2,000 students to this important moment in their lives.
The obstacles of this past year will not overshadow the thirteen years of hard work that has built our graduates’ foundation for future success. Our students today are graduating in a time of significant change across the globe and they are the generation who will become the future leaders and innovators who will be prepared to solve our world’s greatest challenges.
Students in St. Vrain graduate with a strong competitive advantage for future success, advancing their skills through enrollment in high-quality instructional focus academics in Biomedical Sciences, Energy, Engineering and Aerospace, Medical and BioScience, Leadership, STEM, Visual and Performing Arts, and more. They have been connected to the best technology and learning resources through our 1:1 technology initiative and nationally recognized Learning Technology Plan, and they have been highly engaged in their school communities, extending learning beyond the school day through the arts, music, athletics, advanced career and technology programs, and other co-curricular activities. Through all of this, they have also become highly engaged citizens who remain focused on building stronger, healthier communities and advancing our society.
The Class of 2021 also enrolled in a record number of Advanced Placement exams, International Baccalaureate courses, and concurrent enrollment college courses, giving them the opportunity to start their postsecondary education with approximately 32,000 college credits on their transcripts, potentially saving their families over $8.1 million in tuition costs. Our graduating seniors have also received numerous recognitions for their academic achievements, talents, and innovative ideas, including Boettcher Scholarships, Daniels Scholarships, National Merit Scholarships, state athletic championships, All-State musicians, and thousands of college acceptance letters from institutions across the United States including many Ivy League schools, military academies, and other highly competitive colleges and universities. We are incredibly proud of what our students have accomplished in a time of increasing academic rigor and the highest expectations of leadership, community, and citizenship.
Public education is one of the most powerful systems for driving positive change in our society.
Across the United States, approximately 90 percent of our children attend a public school – and in the St. Vrain Valley, that percentage is even higher. With the future success of our community and nation dependent on the quality of our public schools, we have no greater responsibility than ensuring every child in our community receives a rigorous, engaging, and high-quality education. To this end, it is an honor to stand alongside our Board of Education, teachers, staff, parents, administrators, and other community partners to celebrate the Class of 2021 and recognize our students’ high levels of success.
Finally, I want to share my heartfelt gratitude to all of our seniors and wish you the very best in life. Our schools will forever be strengthened by your time in our community – you are truly a class of compassionate, dedicated, intelligent, and outstanding young adults who will boldly lead our country into the future.
Sincerely,
Don Haddad, Ed.D.
Superintendent, St. Vrain Valley Schools
