SALIDA, CO – Superintendent Dr. David Blackburn attended the Colorado Department of Education awards presentation on May 16, 2025 honoring schools and districts across the state for their outstanding performance in the 2023 and 2024 school years.
Dr. Blackburn picked up the following awards for district schools:
Crest Academy was again recognized with the John Irwin Award for both 2023 and 2024 which recognizes schools that demonstrate excellent academic achievement on the school performance framework by “exceeding” expectations on the indicator related to academic achievement over three years receive this award.
Longfellow Elementary School was again recognized with the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award for both 2023 and 2024 which recognizes schools that demonstrate excellent student growth on the school performance framework by “exceeding” expectation on the indicator related to longitudinal academic growth over three years.
These awards highlight the dedication and hard work of our educators, students, and families. Salida Schools is honored to be recognized for our commitment to providing a high-quality education and supporting student success.
“We are incredibly proud of our students and staff for their hard work and dedication,” said Superintendent David Blackburn. “These awards are a testament to our community's commitment to education and our focus on helping every student thrive.”
State Board of Education Chair Rebecca McClellan, Vice Chair Yazmin Navarro, Board member Lisa Escárcega, Board member Kathy Gebhardt and Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova presented the awards to about 90 school and district representatives during the event at the Colorado State University Spur Campus in Denver.
“Behind every one of these awards is a story of hard work, heart, and hope,” McClellan said about this year’s school and district awards. “These schools and districts are shining examples of what’s possible when educators, students, and families come together with a shared purpose—to help every child thrive.”
“These awards celebrate schools and districts that are achieving results through creativity, determination, and a relentless focus on students,” Córdova said. “Their success reflects what can happen when educators stay committed to doing what works—and keep pushing forward.”
The event celebrated schools and districts across Colorado that received awards. View the complete list of award winners.
Salida Schools continues to strive for excellence and is dedicated to providing an equitable educational environment where all students and staff thrive.