Future-Ready DSD: Planning together for the next generation

Future-Ready DSD: Planning for what’s ahead

DSD is planning for significant changes in enrollment, funding, facilities, and community needs. Future-Ready DSD brings the facts, planning work, current proposals, and opportunities for community input together in one place. Learn what’s shaping the future of our schools and how you can participate.

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Park Elementary Home

Habits of a Mindful Scholar
students riding bikes at bike rodeo

About Us

We are a diverse crew of mindful learners who contribute to making the world a better place. We engage in productive problem solving by being inclusive and kind, taking responsibility for our own actions, persevering through adversity, and embracing curiosity and wonder.
Indigenous Girl at Park Elementary
Where we’re located
Durango School District map
students listen to book reading

Mission

The mission of Park Elementary School is to lead and engage students to reach their potential in a global society by providing a positive, nurturing and challenging environment where children children succeed cognitively, socially, and emotionally through shared responsibility of school, family and community. 

School & District News

Future-Ready DSD: Planning together for the next generation

Future-Ready DSD: Planning for what’s ahead

DSD is planning for significant changes in enrollment, funding, facilities, and community needs. Future-Ready DSD brings the facts, planning work, current proposals, and opportunities for community input together in one place. Learn what’s shaping the future of our schools and how you can participate.
Thumbnail of Future-Ready DSD website page

Future-Ready DSD: Help shape the future of our schools

Change is already happening in public education. The question is: How will we respond to it together? Declining enrollment and birth rates, inadequate funding, rising housing costs, aging facilities, and evolving educational needs are reshaping school districts across the country — including Durango School District.
DSD Board of Education: Upcoming meeting

School Board Work Session is Sept. 8

The DSD Board of Education will meet for a Work Session on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 5:30 p.m. at Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School (11274 Highway 140, Hermosa). The public is welcome. The Board does not allow public comment at Work Sessions, and the meetings are not livestreamed.
Exterior of Sunnyside Elementary School on a sunny day

Sunnyside consolidation recommendation: What you need to know

DSD has recommended consolidating Sunnyside Elementary with the new Three Springs Elementary School when it opens in fall 2028. The district's Sunnyside Elementary Recommendation webpage brings the recommendation, timeline, supporting information, community feedback, and Board decision process together in one place. The Board of Education is expected to consider the recommendation on Sept. 22.
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Principal Marie Voss-Patterson

Principal's Message

 At The Park, we cultivate a culture of high expectations where every student is challenged daily to stretch their potential and achieve continuous growth. Deeply rooted in the EL Education model, our approach centers on three key dimensions of student achievement: mastery of knowledge and skills; character development; and high-quality, meaningful work.
 
We believe that learning extends far beyond the four walls of the classroom. By connecting our students with authentic audiences, we make their educational journey purpose-driven and impactful. We hold our entire community to rigorous standards while honoring the reality that students learn differently and at varying paces. Through intentional character-building and challenging academics, we foster a respectful, supportive, and trusting environment where the worth and diversity of every individual are genuinely affirmed.
 
Marie Voss-Patterson
Principal
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Events

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Engineer Mountain

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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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.