Community partnerships and tailored curriculum propel Ignacio School District to significant gains in graduation rates

The Ignacio School District has made remarkable strides in improving its high school graduation rates during the 2023-24 school year, with a notable 11.6% increase in its four-year graduation rate, according to a story published in the Durango Herald. 

The achievement was recognized by the Colorado Department of Education in a virtual news briefing last month that highlighted the district’s commitment to addressing student needs through strategic planning and community partnerships.

According to the newspaper, Ignacio’s high school graduation rate now stands 3.1% above the state’s average, which district officials believe is a clear reflection of the district’s focused efforts to support its diverse student body. Superintendent Chris deKay attributed much of the success to the district’s tailored academic approach and its strong relationships with local partners.

The article noted that the district’s student population is notably diverse, with roughly one-third of students identifying as white, one-third as Hispanic, and one-third as Native American. Recognizing this, Ignacio School District made diversity a key focus of its three-year strategic plan, which was developed in 2023. The plan was designed to address gaps in the district’s ability to support its varied student needs, with an emphasis on strengthening community partnerships and offering more personalized academic pathways.

In particular, the district has worked closely with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe to better support the Native American students in its schools. This partnership is being further solidified through ongoing efforts to establish a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the school district and the tribe, which will enhance collaboration on cultural and educational initiatives.

In the article, DeKay also pointed out the district’s efforts to move away from a “one-size-fits-all” educational model. By offering diverse academic pathways, the district has catered to the different post-graduation plans of its students, including those who wish to pursue careers in trades rather than attend four-year colleges. This shift has contributed to both improved graduation rates and a reduction in dropout rates.

These efforts have paid off, with the district reporting a nearly 1% reduction in its dropout rate, as well as improvements in academic performance on state assessments. The story notes the district’s approach to supporting diverse student needs is in line with statewide efforts to reduce dropout rates and increase graduation rates across Colorado. In fact, the state as a whole saw a 1.1% increase in its four-year graduation rate from 2023 to 2024, reaching a record high of 84.2%.

Colorado Commissioner of Education Susana Córdova, who praised Ignacio’s strategies during the briefing, noted that many of the district’s initiatives reflect the broader goals of the state Department of Education. According to the Herald, Córdova emphasized that while the rise in four-year graduation rates is a positive trend, the state’s ultimate aim is to ensure successful outcomes for all students, even if it takes longer than the traditional four-year timeline. As part of this focus, the state’s seven-year graduation rate has increased to 87.1%.