There is even more to celebrate this fall in Garfield Re-2. The Colorado Department of Education has given our district an Accredited rating on the 2025 Preliminary District Performance Framework. That means the hard work of our teachers, staff, and students is paying off. Our district score increased to 56.9 points, up from 51 in 2022, and 7 out of 10 schools achieved the second-highest rating on their School Performance Frameworks. 

This is good news, and it shows we are moving in the right direction. For example, high school English language arts scores grew by 4 percentage points, compared to a 1-point increase statewide. Elementary and middle school math scores rose by 4 points, double the statewide average increase. While achievement remains an important focus, the most notable progress is reflected in growth. One school increased its academic growth score by 18 points, an encouraging sign of progress and a foundation for continued improvement.

State ratings are not the end goal. They serve as mile markers along our journey. What matters most is how we take this momentum and turn it into even stronger support for every student in every classroom.

That is where the Unified Improvement Plan (UIP) comes in. In the past, UIPs often felt like compliance documents, something schools had to fill out and file away. We are changing that. In Garfield Re-2, the UIP is becoming our roadmap for continuous improvement.

Each school identifies priority challenges and builds action steps around them. For some schools, that means improving outcomes for English language learners. For others, it means strengthening how we serve students with special needs. Across the district, we focus on accelerating student growth in reading and math. We are using new resources like Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) and Eureka Math, and we are supporting teachers with professional development and coaching so these tools have the biggest impact possible.

Most importantly, we cannot and should not do this work alone. Our families and community partners are an essential part of this process. The UIP is not just a school document. It is a community commitment. I just completed a conversation about this plan with our District Accountability Committee (we’d love to see you at future meetings), and I invite you to participate in your school’s accountability committee, share your ideas, and help shape the improvement work. When parents, staff, and community members come together around shared goals, our students win.

Garfield Re-2 is on the right track, and I could not be prouder of the effort I see every day in our classrooms. We are Accredited again, but more than that, we are building a culture of growth, continuous improvement, and community partnership. Together, we will keep this momentum going.

Kirk Banghart is superintendent of Garfield Re-2 School District. He started in July 2025.