Durango School District Home

We help them find their path to success
Portrait of a Graduate
  • 97%
    Graduation rate at Durango High School
  • 29
    Home languages spoken by students
  • 14
    CTE Career Pathways, plus middle school options
  • 11%
    CMAS test scores rank in top 11% of Colorado districts
Durango High School grads

About Us

Welcome to Durango School District (DSD). We strive to create a learning environment where all students own their learning, act on their learning, and impact their community. We provide learning opportunities where students develop their critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication skills. 
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Students examine seedling
Where we’re located
Durango School District map

District News

Bravo Award winner Steph Sherman

Bravo Award winner: Steph Sherman

Throughout each school year, DSD employees nominate their colleagues for Bravo Awards, an honor that recognizes faculty and staff who demonstrate Portrait of a Graduate attributes as they go above and beyond for students and the district.
Flood water hits the bottom of a railroad trestle in Durango

Flood Recovery: What DSD families need to know

As our community continues recovering from this week’s flooding, Durango School District (DSD) is focused on helping students return to familiar routines while recognizing that some families are still facing significant challenges.
Board of Education upcoming meeting

School Board Work Session is Nov. 10

The DSD Board of Education will meet for a Work Session on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 5:30 p.m. at Florida Mesa Elementary School (216 Highway 172). The public is welcome. The Board does not allow public comment at Work Sessions, and the meetings are not livestreamed.
All schools will reopen Nov. 5 graphic

All schools open Nov. 5; some bus routes affected

All DSD schools will be open tomorrow, Nov. 5 – including Animas Valley Elementary School. At 2:50 p.m. on Nov. 4, DSD was informed by La Plata County that the evacuation order around Animas Valley Elementary was lifted.
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In a grassy field, a circle of graduates toss their caps into the air.

Our Mission

The mission of Durango School District is to ensure each student develops the skills and attributes for lifelong learning and has the ability to compete and contribute in the global community, by guaranteeing equitable educational opportunities in a safe and healthy environment.
View DSD's Strategic Plan

What people say about us

Eduardo Gonzalez headshot

PARENT

“My kids have thrived in Durango schools because of the quality of instruction. The teachers in these schools do life-changing work.”

– Eduardo Gonzalez, parent of middle school student
Olivia Cruz, Headshot

TEACHER

“I get to work in a supportive environment with empathetic people who love what they do, and who genuinely care about student success.”

– Olivia Cruz, High School Science Teacher
Michaela Richardson headshot

STUDENT

“I have so many opportunities, and I have come to love school. Now I want to inspire others, and be on the Board to be that person that others can look up to.”

– Michaela Richardson, high school student and Student Board Member
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A portrait of a smiling adult

Superintendent's Message

Welcome to beautiful Durango and La Plata County! Our schools – and our community – are committed to ensuring all students reach proficiency in all content areas as well as have a high level of social-emotional well-being. Our primary objective in the Durango School District is to help every student achieve their life's purpose through Portrait of a Graduate. This is our district's "north star." It inspires students to find their Ikigai. This is a Japanese concept that incorporates four essential criteria: what you love (your passion), what the world needs (your mission), what you are good at (your vocation), and what you can get paid for (your profession). East meets West with this ancient philosophy in a modern mountain town.
Meet our district leaders

Universal Calendar

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Engineer Mountain in fall

Quality of Life

Durango is a beautiful place to live and work. It is located at 6,512 feet elevation in Southwest Colorado near the Four Corners region. Families who live here enjoy a historic steam train, ski resort, rivers, vibrant downtown, bike trails, sky-high “fourteener” mountains, and four distinct seasons with an average of 266 sunny days per year. We welcome new families and new staff members, and we offer excellent benefits and competitive salaries. 
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Teacher Elfreida Begay

Land Acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge that Durango School District is located on lands and territories taken from the Núuchiu (Ute) people. This land is also the ancestral home of or served as a site of trade, gathering, or healing for Apache, Pueblo, Diné, and other nations. We recognize and honor these peoples and nations as traditional stewards of this land and water and respect their enduring relationship with it.
Listen to the land acknowledgement in Diné Bizaad (Navajo language), spoken by Elfreida Begay

Accessibility Statement

Durango School District is committed to ensuring our digital platforms are accessible to everyone, aligning with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards and Colorado accessibility laws. If you encounter a barrier or need an alternative format, please contact us at [email protected] or (970) 247-5411.