Colorado Succeeds staff, board, business members, and partners have been on the road visiting this year’s winners of The Succeeds Prize – the most prestigious award and recognition for Colorado’s most forward-thinking educators. Site visits have not only served as an award celebration but have also been an opportunity for attendees to listen and learn from students, families, and community. Through the site visits, Colorado Succeeds and partners are getting an inside look at how winners are embracing agility to ensure their students are prepared for the future. Lessons learned will be critical in informing Colorado Succeeds’ policy agenda, practice work, and philanthropy initiatives going forward.
ACTION Zone at Aurora Public Schools Elevates Community Voice to Best Serve Students
Winner of The Succeeds Prize for Education Innovation, presented by Janus Henderson Investors, the ACTION Zone at APS is a hub of five schools that leverage partnerships between the school and other community resources. They integrate a focus on academics, health and social services, youth and community development and community engagement to improve student learning, strengthen families and build a healthier community.
On October 5, Colorado Succeeds and partners visited Crawford Elementary School for The Succeeds Prize site visit and community conversation. The event began with a pep rally then brought together educators, community partners, and government leaders for a conversation about the ACTION Zone’s approach to education, and what additional support they need to best serve students. Participants discussed the benefits of the community schools framework, how they authentically engage parents to meet student and community needs, and challenges that students continue to face as they return to in-person learning. The visit concluded with a tour of the Crawford campus led by two of their very own elementary students.
Warren Tech Leverages Deep Partnership with Industry to Inspire Students and Prepare them for the Future of Work
Winner of The Succeeds Prize for Technology-Enabled Learning, presented by Ball Corporation, Warren Tech is an innovative Career and Technical Education (CTE) center in Jeffco Public Schools. They offer problem and project-based learning environments that challenge juniors and seniors with college and career pathways across 37 career-centered programs. Their primary objective is to stretch students’ entrepreneurial and career potential by actively working with business and industry partnerships at local, state, and national levels.
On October 13, Colorado Succeeds and partners visited Warren Tech’s central campus and began with a celebratory gathering of educators and students, followed by a conversation with school leadership and students that gave background on their approach to career-connected learning and insights on the opportunities and challenges they experience in offering relevant and engaging courses aligned with high-demand industries. The visit concluded with an impressive tour of their facility, where students gain hands-on experience in their chosen fields.
Clear Creek School District Harnesses the Power of Community to Break Down Silos Between Education and Industry
Winner of The Succeeds Prize for Career-Connected Learning, presented by TTEC, Clear Creek School District serves 2,400 students spread out across 400 square miles through five schools. An exemplar school district participating in the Homegrown Talent Initiative, CCSD is connecting their growing local economy to the interests of students. They engaged the full community, from industry to government, to engage students in their education design, rooted in real world experiences and opportunities.
On October 14, Colorado Succeeds and partners visited Clear Creek High School and began with a celebratory gathering of educators and students, followed by a conversation with school and community leadership. The visit concluded with student-led tours of their school, highlighting examples of how they work collaboratively on real-world projects that deepen their competencies while improving their community.
Looking ahead, Colorado Succeeds and partners will have site visits to celebrate the three remaining winners of The Succeeds Prize 2021: Greeley-Evans School District 6, Mile High Early Learning, and Colorado Youth Congress. Stay tuned for more updates!
About The Succeeds Prize
The Succeeds Prize is the most prestigious awards and recognition event for Colorado’s educators honoring transformational impact being led across the state. It also serves as a year-long campaign to implement and scale successful innovations and best practices, so every student in Colorado can benefit. The Succeeds Prize is sponsored by the business community in partnership with Colorado Succeeds, 9NEWS/KUSA, and the business community.
