COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) – High school students working out of the St. Vrain Innovation Center built, coded and coordinated a light show with 300 drones above the Broadmoor Lake for some of the brightest space minds across the world.
“To see high school students be able to take hundreds of drones and actually make it look professional, this was kind of like an olympic opening ceremony,” said the CEO of a Colorado Springs-based company, Auria Space, Damian DiPippa.
Longs Peak Middle School hosted a special signing ceremony to celebrate more than 40 eighth grade students who had been accepted into high school focus programs. Modeled after high school athletic signing events, this all-school assembly took place on Wednesday, April 2 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., recognizing students’ hard work and dedication in preparing for advanced academic pathways.
Longs Peak students were accepted into specialized programs at three area high schools, including the Medical & Bioscience Academy (MBSA), TrojanTECH, and High School of Business at Longmont High School; FalconTECH at Skyline High School; and the Leadership Academy at Silver Creek High School.
The event featured performances by the school’s mariachi and percussion groups, as well as cheerleaders. Principals from each high school were in attendance to welcome their incoming students. During the ceremony, each student’s name was called, and they signed a commitment letter with their high school program, symbolizing their next step in academic achievement. The event concluded with a celebration activity, closing remarks, and a group photo. Parents were also in attendance to share in the milestone moment.
“This is the largest group of students we’ve had accepted into high school focus programs,” said Karin Blough, Principal of Longs Peak Middle School. “Our school has developed programs that align with advanced coursework at the high school level and prepare students for their next step. This event highlighted the importance of hard work, inspired younger students, and built excitement for the opportunities that await in high school.”
For the second consecutive year, St. Vrain Valley Schools has received the Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) from the Association of School Business Officials (ASBO) International for its fiscal year 2024–2025 budget. This award recognizes the district’s commitment to clear, transparent, and high-quality budget presentation.
The Meritorious Budget Award acknowledges St. Vrain’s dedication to crafting budget documents that clearly communicate financial information to all stakeholders. A panel of school financial professionals reviewed the district’s submission to ensure compliance with ASBO International’s MBA Criteria Checklist and other requirements.
Jim Rowan, CAE, SFO, the Executive Director of ASBO International, emphasized the importance of transparent budgeting: “Presenting a budget that is both accessible and accurate is crucial for school districts to clearly communicate and build trust with their communities.”
This achievement reflects the outstanding efforts of St. Vrain’s finance team, who worked diligently to align the budget document with ASBO International’s rigorous criteria. “I want to congratulate our outstanding budget team for earning the ASBO MBA Award for the second year in a row,” said Tony Whiteley, Chief Financial Officer of St. Vrain Valley Schools. “Their dedication, expertise, and excellence continue to set a high standard in K-12 budgeting, and represent a commitment to transparency and accountability to our students and community.”
For more information about the Meritorious Budget Award program, please visit ASBO International’s official website.
Boulder County students shared their perspectives on AI in education during a virtual summit Friday organized by the Colorado Education Initiative and the Colorado Department of Education to mark National AI Literacy Day.
The summit included panel discussions and learning sessions focused on AI in K-12 education. For the discussions led by students, three Niwot High students and a student from Boulder’s Fairview High shared their perspectives. St. Vrain Valley Learning Systems Strategist Jason Kelsall also spoke on a panel on “Navigating AI in Schools: Policy, Plagiarism and Best Practices.”
This year’s edition of ST.VRAINNOVATION magazine hit mailboxes last month and included augmented reality experiences to bring the incredible stories of our students, teachers, and staff to life. Check out the digital version of the magazine at: http://magazine.svvsd.org.
Dear St. Vrain Valley Community,
Thank you for your continued partnership and support as we celebrate another extraordinary season of student achievement and excellence throughout our district. I am deeply grateful for the dedication, creativity, and commitment demonstrated by our students, teachers, staff, and community members that continue to propel St. Vrain Valley Schools to unprecedented levels of success.
This spring has been marked by exceptional accomplishments in academics, athletics, and visual and performing arts, showcasing the vibrancy and strength of our educational community. The past few weeks have been filled with incredible achievements that highlight the competitive advantage our students receive through their education in St. Vrain. Our students continue to excel on the global stage, with our drone performance team being selected to showcase their talents at the 40th annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs – the largest aerospace conference in the world. This opportunity not only demonstrates the exceptional skills of our students but also reinforces St. Vrain’s position as a leader in innovative STEM education.
In robotics, we witnessed unprecedented success at this year’s State VEX Robotics competition, where St. Vrain teams dominated the field. At each state tournament, SVVSD teams emerged as tournament champions, with 21 of our teams qualifying to attend the WORLD competition – representing an impressive 21 of the 36 total teams from Colorado advancing to this prestigious event. Tournament champions included the Robotic Rowlets from Blue Mountain Elementary, Velocity from Altona Middle School, New News from Trail Ridge Middle School, Collision from Silver Creek High School, and Echo from Longmont High School. These achievements reflect the depth and quality of our STEM programming from elementary through high school.
Our students also continue to shine in academic competitions, with strong performances at the state mock trial tournament, including our Career Elevation and Technology Center (CETC) team being recognized with a professionalism award. Additionally, numerous students qualified for state competitions in Science Olympiad, MathCounts, and more, further demonstrating the academic rigor and excellence fostered throughout our district. In the healthcare pathway, our CETC future health professionals achieved state championships in multiple categories including EMT, Sports Medicine, Anatomage, and Health Career Photography. These accomplishments showcase the strength of our career-connected learning opportunities that prepare students for success in high-demand fields.
Our commitment to academic rigor continues to yield exceptional results. We have seen a significant increase in students taking concurrent enrollment college classes and Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) courses, giving our students a head start on their postsecondary education while saving families millions in future tuition costs. This spring, we are also looking forward to administering approximately 5,500 Advanced Placement (AP) exams, where students have the opportunity to earn valuable college credit through demonstrating mastery of college-level material. Additionally, we continue to see strong upward trends in our state and local assessments, further validating the effectiveness of our instructional practices and the hard work of our students and teachers. These outcomes reinforce St. Vrain’s position as a district with high academic standards and exceptional opportunities for all students.
The arts continue to flourish across St. Vrain, with spring musicals and productions delighting audiences at many schools. I was particularly proud to see the Niwot Orchestra take third place at a national competition in New York City. These artistic achievements complement our students’ academic and technical skills, creating well-rounded graduates prepared for future success. St. Vrain’s commitment to music education has earned national distinction as one of the top 15%, with the NAMM Foundation honoring the district with the Best Communities for Music Education award for four consecutive years.
As spring sports are in full swing and winter sports results are in, our student-athletes continue to demonstrate exceptional sportsmanship, teamwork, and competitive excellence across all athletic programs, including a strong final four showing by the Mead Girls Basketball team, state wrestling qualifiers from all nine programs, and state champions across multiple sports. Their dedication both on the field and in the classroom exemplifies the strong character and work ethic we value in St. Vrain.
I am also excited to share that we have broken ground on the new PK-8 school in Mead that was approved in the 2024 bond. We look forward to sharing more information with the community about this outstanding new facility and celebrating the groundbreaking on May 12. Please look for more information in the coming weeks. This new school represents our continued commitment to providing exceptional learning environments for our community.
Another celebration regarding our operations and fiscal strength in St. Vrain is that our Financial Services Budget Team has earned the prestigious Meritorious Budget Award (MBA) from the Association for School Business Officials (ASBO) for the second year in a row. This outstanding team dedicated to fiscal strength and transparency has won national awards in financial reporting and budgeting for the past 20 years.
Additionally, on April 11, we will celebrate each school’s Teacher of the Year at our annual Celebration of Excellence hosted by the St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation. This event provides an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary educators who inspire our students every day and whose expertise drives the continued advancement of our district.
These celebrations are just a sampling of the many achievements occurring daily across our schools. The exceptional accomplishments of our students, teachers, and staff continue to demonstrate the strong competitive advantage that a St. Vrain Valley Schools education provides. I am deeply grateful for our community’s unwavering support and partnership in advancing excellence across our system.
Thank you,
Don Haddad, Ed.D.
Superintendent
@SVVSDSupt
Advancing Excellence
Time remains an extremely precious resource—and in education, it is a critical foundation upon which we build the future.
Read More in StVrainnovation Magazine
Music Innovation
In St. Vrain, musical excellence meets cutting-edge technology, creating a unique pathway for innovation.
Read More in StVrainnovation Magazine
Elementaty experiences
Elementary students undergo significant transformation in 180 days, developing crucial skills for future success.
Read More in StVrainnovation Magazine
STEM Innovation
St. Vrain Valley Schools empower students with cutting-edge programs in aerospace, energy, and quantum tech, shaping future innovators.
Read More in StVrainnovation Magazine
a Strong competitive advantage
With the highest graduation rate in the Denver Metro Area, St. Vrain is advancing the future for all students.
Read More in StVrainnovation Magazine
Future Excellence
St. Vrain Valley Schools’ P-TECH programs empower students to earn an Associate degree while in high school, gaining real-world skills.
Read More in StVrainnovation Magazine
Save the date
Join us at the Boulder County Fairgrounds for our annual Districtwide Art Show, showcasing thousands of pieces of art from students across every school in St. Vrain.
Public Viewing Hours: Tuesday, April 15 through Saturday, April 19 – 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.,
Sunday, April 20: 9:00 am to 2:00 p.m.
Artists’ Night Open House: Thursday, April 17: 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Filling Fast
St. Vrain Valley Schools offers robust summer programming options to keep students engaged in their academic learning. Click here for more information.
Registration Opens Soon
As we prepare for the opening of Community Schools K-5 registration for the 2025-2026 school year, we want to share some updates to our registration process that will ensure a more seamless experience for families.
Click here for more information.
ComMunity Connection
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.
Be part of shaping our community’s educational future. Join us for an informative evening about the exciting new PK-8 school coming to Mead. This meeting is your opportunity to:
Representatives will be available from multiple departments including:
The new PK-8 school in Mead represents another significant step forward for our growing community and would not be possible without the community’s ongoing commitment to educational excellence. Through the support of the 2024 bond, St. Vrain Valley Schools will continue to provide outstanding learning environments where our students can thrive. The community’s investment today builds the foundation for tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and citizens. We are deeply grateful for everyone’s partnership in creating exceptional educational opportunities that are giving all students a strong competitive advantage for the future. Click here to learn more about the 2024 Bond.
Come ready to move, play, and connect through the power of music!
Join us for an evening of music, movement, and interactive fun! St. Vrain Valley Schools invites preschool and kindergarten families to engage in hands-on musical activities designed to inspire a connection with music, featuring the Aurora Symphony. Experience the joy of music immersion through movement as you listen to the orchestra and other sounds, while exploring creative ways to bring music into your home.
Event Details:
Skyline High School will celebrate a special moment in its baseball history as longtime coach Bill Stephens returns to throw out the ceremonial first pitch to his son, Greg Stephens, who is retiring this year after more than three decades of service in St. Vrain Valley Schools. The event will take place on Tuesday, March 25, at approximately 3:50 p.m. before Skyline’s home baseball game.
Bill Stephens, recently inducted into the Colorado Dugout Club Coaches Association Hall of Fame, dedicated 36 years to coaching and education in St. Vrain Valley Schools. As Skyline’s head baseball coach from 1982 to 2006, he amassed a 298-165 record, led the Falcons to seven conference titles, six district championships, and two state championship appearances, including a state title in 1986. Beyond coaching, Stephens served as Skyline’s Athletic Director from 1988 to 2006 and was recognized as the Colorado 4A Athletic Director of the Year in 2004.
Greg Stephens, a Skyline graduate (Class of 1991), has served in multiple roles within the district, including as a teacher, coach, and administrator. He was instrumental in launching FalconTECH, the first P-TECH school west of the Mississippi, and has been Assistant Principal at Skyline since 2010. As head coach, he led Skyline’s baseball team to a state runner-up finish in 2002.
“Skyline High School is thrilled to celebrate the incredible legacy of the Stephens family,” said Principal Anthony Barela. “As Coach Bill Stephens takes the mound to throw the first pitch to his son, Greg Stephens, we honor their decades of dedication, leadership, and passion for the game. It’s a proud moment in Skyline baseball history.”
The ceremonial pitch will be a tribute to the decades of dedication and impact both educators have had on Skyline High and St. Vrain Valley Schools. This event, spearheaded by Skyline’s current baseball coach, Travis Schlagel, is an opportunity for the community to honor two outstanding educators and coaches.
Dear St. Vrain Families,
Thank you for your continued partnership as we remain dedicated to delivering exceptional care and enriching learning experiences for your students. As we prepare for the opening of Community Schools K-5 registration for the 2025-2026 school year, we want to share some updates to our registration process that will ensure a more seamless experience for families.
Registration is a two-step process. Families are first required to register their child through RevTrak, the online platform Community Schools uses, at StVrain.RevTrak.net. After completing the registration, families must log into the system to individually select their anticipated days of care using the calendar feature. Due to limited availability, families are encouraged to register early and select their anticipated days of care immediately. Families can always deselect days at a later date.
In response to feedback regarding RevTrak slowing down during peak usage times, we’ve scheduled two opening registration days to manage system load effectively:
Please be assured, families register for Community Schools at their child’s school, and separating registration days by attendance area does not impact availability for families.
The RevTrak system works best from a desktop computer using either a Firefox or Chrome browser. It does not work well with mobile phones. Families will be asked to submit the following information upfront and should prepare accordingly:
For questions or registration support, please reach out to the onsite Community Schools manager at your child’s school or by calling our office at 303-702-7924. We look forward to our ongoing partnership as we prepare for a successful 2024-2025 school year.
Sincerely,
Susan Zimmerman
Community Schools Coordinator
St. Vrain Valley Schools
After months of rehearsals, students at Burlington Elementary took to the stage Friday, March 7, to perform “Madagascar: A Musical Adventure Jr.” before a packed gymnasium of classmates, teachers, and parents.
Since November, the main cast, supporting actors and crew have worked diligently to memorize lines, design costumes, and transform the gym into a theatrical setting. With support from staff members, volunteers, and parents, the production unfolded seamlessly.
As the lights flickered on, the gym buzzed with excitement. The four main characters—Marty the zebra, Alex the lion, Gloria the hippo and Melman the giraffe—took center stage, surrounded by an energetic ensemble of “zoosters.” These supporting cast members, dressed in animal costumes from head to toe, brought the show to life with vibrant and expressive musical numbers. Iconic characters such as Mort, King Julien and the mischievous penguins also made memorable appearances.
Directed by Burlington Elementary staff members Tyra Toepfer and Beth Legg, the production was a testament to the dedication of students, educators and families. “This is our 14th year doing this, and it’s such a fun and creative experience that brings everyone together. Watching the kids perform and seeing their confidence grow throughout the process is always the highlight of my year. It’s not just about the performance—it’s about the core memories made, the lessons learned, and the joy of creating something special as a team!” said Tyra Toepfer.
When reflecting on the event, Principal Erica Bowman said, “Tyra and her team provide an amazing opportunity for students to experience performing arts, and be a part of a production on stage and behind the stage. It’s awesome to see how hard our kids work and how excited they are to perform. From learning and practicing their lines at home and during their lunch and recess times, to singing their hearts out on stage, they showed incredible dedication, especially for elementary-age students. It’s inspiring to see their confidence grow and their excitement was palpable the closer we got to the performance.”
From the elaborate costumes to the spirited performances, “Madagascar: A Musical Adventure Jr.” showcased not only the students’ talent but also the power of teamwork and creativity. As the cast took their final bow, applause filled the gym—then, as “I Like to Move It” began to play, students erupted into an energetic dance, bringing the celebration to life. The production was more than just a show–it was a joyful display of community spirit and creativity that will leave lasting memories for all involved.
