CELEBRATING GENERATION LEARNERS of a
Dear Westminster Public Schools Community,
When our high school graduates walked across the stage this spring, we called them, with great pride, a Generation of Learners. The class of 2022 was the first group of WPS students to spend all their years in public education in our Competency Based System (CBS). Simply put, it’s an education philosophy that requires students to prove that they fully understand a topic before they move to the next level.
Our approach to learning and our decision to return students to the classroom as early as was safely possible during the Covid-19 pandemic have clearly paid o . Newly released information from the Colorado Department of Education shows that while many school districts lost ground during the pandemic, WPS defied the odds and showed an increase in our District Performance Framework.
IS A TRUE SUCCESS STORY.
In August, our Board of Education proudly rea rmed its support for CBS, the 10th time our board members have unanimously passed resolutions highlighting the benefits of an education system that puts the focus on individualized learning.
It has been an extraordinary time for our community and I feel so honored to continue to serve as Superintendent. We have accomplished so much since I arrived in this district 27 years ago as an elementary school principal.
As you read more about our district, I hope you take pride in knowing that our success is your success. Westminster Public Schools relies on a strong, caring community that believes in the power of public education to prepare all students for the Day after Graduation.
Kindest regards,
Dr. Pamela Swanson, Superintendent of Schools
WPS
HIGHEST PAID TEACHERS + STAFF IN METRO AREA
We attract and retain quality sta to support our students and incentivize teachers to continue with their professional development. Teachers tell us they wouldn’t work anywhere else.
TH ANK YOU VOTERS!
without you, this wouldn’t be possible
ORCHARD PARK ACADEMY
Making good on a promise to spend taxpayer dollars wisely, Orchard Park Academy opened on time and on budget in August of 2021. The home of the Pumas is a point of pride for the entire community and a major investment in the southeast part of the district.
SAFE SECURE BUILDINGS AND RENOVATIONS
Every school building in the district has received significant HVAC and safety upgrades with major renovations at Harris Park, Sunset Ridge, John E. Flynn A Marzano Academy, CSLA, Tennyson Knolls, Sherrelwood, and Metropolitan Arts Academy.
ICAP DISTRICT OF THE YEAR
The Colorado Department of Education honored WPS for its Individual Career Academic Plan (ICAP) and its e orts to help students focus on career choices and college preparation through our Future Center.
S ITE I MPR O VEME NT S TO IN C LUDE : • N ew Addi t io n S ec u re d Ve s t ibul e • Sa fet y Imp ro v e m e n t s • H VA C U p g rad e • E ect ri c al S e r vi ce U p g rad e • LED L g h t in g & C on t rols U p g rad e • F re Alarm U p g rad e • N et wor k/D a t a U p g rad e • Si te Imp ro v e m e n t s EARLY
CHILDHOOD CENTER
Show What You
FOCUS ON EARLY LEARNING
Know
and graduate ready for the real world About Personalized Learning in Your Child’s School
For more than a decade the Board of Education has supported full-day kindergarten for all students. We have also expanded our Early Learning and Pre-School facilities to ensure that children are prepared for kindergarten and beyond.
DISTRICTWIDE COMPETENCY BASED SYSTEM
Our personalized approach to learning requires each child to demonstrate understanding of a topic before advancing to the next learning level. CBS allows some students to move forward quickly while others take more time to fully understand a topic.
ACADEMIC IMPROVEMENT
Once a Turnaround District on “Academic Watch,” WPS is an education success story. During a period of flat achievement across the state of Colorado, WPS has shown steadily improving academic scores and graduation rates. WPS serves as an example of how to achieve better outcomes for all students.
ATHLETIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL K-8 STUDENTS
The Westy Juniors and Futures Program provides recreational opportunities for all students regardless of skill level allowing them to participate in team sports at a young age and transition to Westminster High School athletics.
LEVEL 3 LEVEL 2 MATH Math is strength area Luz is getting extra help in Literacy LEVEL 2 SCIENCE LEVEL 2 SOCIAL STUDIES
Did you know? Your child’s school uses a Competency Based System (CBS) to help teachers customize the way your child learns, according to his or her strengths and challenges. CBS enables all students to: • Learn at a customized pace—progressing quickly in strength areas, and receiving extra help from teachers in areas of challenge • Master knowledge and skills—demonstrating skills before moving on to the next • Real-time student information at any time, parents and teachers can go online to see where a student is excelling and where they need additional time and extra help in order to grow Luz is 9 years old, and in a traditional school she’d be in fourth grade. Since Luz is great at math, she is already working in Math Level 5, which is above-average. Literacy is a challenge area, so Luz is getting extra help from teachers as she works in Literacy Level 3. She’s right on track in Science and Social Studies. AGE 9 TRADITIONAL GRADE LEVEL: 4th Grade The average performance level for Luz is 4 Meet Luz LITERACY LEVEL 1 LEVEL 1 LEVEL 1 LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 4 LEVEL 4 LEVEL 3 LEVEL 3 LEVEL 4 LEVEL 5
From Daycare to Diplomas! VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: MYWPS.ORG/LOOKINGBACK
IN-PERSON LEARNING
After the outbreak of Covid-19, we made sure our students returned to the classroom as quickly and safely as possible, bringing nationwide attention and praise to school leaders. We served more than 800,000 meals to families impacted by the pandemic.
TWO NEW BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS
In partnership with local organizations WPS opened Boys & Girls Clubs at Hidden Lake High School and CSLA ensuring students have positive, safe places to go when not in school.
FIRST HIGH RELIABILITY LEVEL 5 SCHOOL IN THE NATION
John E. Flynn A Marzano Academy is the first school in the country to be certified as a highly reliable school at all five levels. The district is working to have all of our schools pass this rigorous certification process.
CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PREPARATION
CTE classes are rigorous project-based courses that incorporate current industry challenges, trends and skills. Hands-on instruction with a focus on industry-relevant knowledge that prepares students for college and career opportunities after high school.
MARZANO NETWORK HIGH RELIABILITY SCHOOLS HRS Level 5 Certi ed
LOOKING AHEAD...
RANUM REIMAGINED
We have begun an extensive renovation project at Ranum Middle School which will transform the historic building into a state-of-the-art multi-purpose campus o ering expanded Career Technical Education (CTE) programs for students.
DANIEL C. VALLEZ FAMILY EDUCATION CENTER
WPS will soon open a new community resource center in the area of 71st and Pecos. Named after WPS educator Daniel C. Vallez, the center will serve WPS students and their families by providing access to essential learning material, language support and health care services.
2014 WHS earns Project Lead the Way certification in biomed sciences & engineering
2016 WPS accredited by Cognia after rigorous review process
2016 WPS invited to White House Summit on Fairer, Fewer Testing
2017 WPS director named School Counselor Advocate of the Year
2018 C olorado School Board of the Year
2018 Westminster Chamber names WPS Large Business of the Year
2019 S uperintendent named Metro North ‘Woman of the Year’
2019 WPS named District of Distinction
2020 Colorado Superintendent of the Year
2020 | 2021 Meritorious Budget Award
2021 Opened Robert J. Landgraf Center for Teaching Excellence
2021 C hief Education O cer named to 100 Visionaries in Education
2022 WPS D irector named CALET Outstanding Technology Administrator
Westminster Public Schools | 6933 Raleigh St. | 303-428-3511 | mywps.org
