• Category 1

    Selected in 2024

  • Grades: pre k - 8
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 1,450
    Student Enrollment: 248
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0.4%
    White/Caucasian: 82.3%
    Hispanic: 10.5%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0.5%
    Native American: 0.8%
    Other: 5.5%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:21
    % Reduced Lunch: 58%
    % ELL Learners: 4%
    Founded: 2021
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Sam Cox
  • CONTACT:
    846 Grand Avenue
    Paonia, CO 81428
    970-527-4882
    sam.cox@deltaschools.com
Paonia K-8
Paonia, CO
"Our culture is an all-in mentality, where every staff member understands their role in contributing to our school’s shared goals."
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Our Paonia K-8 community is honored to be recognized as an ESEA Distinguished School for the second time (2020 and 2024)! In addition to this recognition, since 2010 Paonia K-8 has been designated a School of Distinction every year by the Delta County School District, received the Colorado Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award eight times, recognized as a Colorado John Irwin Award School of Excellence three times, awarded the Colorado Succeeds Prize for Transformational Impact in 2018, and recognized as a Colorado Governor’s Bright Spot Award for Science in 2023.

These accomplishments reflect our commitment to fostering a high-achieving educational environment. Our success is measured not only by student achievement, but also the growth climate and environment which we create for our students and staff. The camaraderie, support systems, and teamwork within our entire school community exemplifies our firm belief that we are all here to support each other and all our students.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
Measurable change at Paonia K8 began in 2010 with a philosophy of continuous improvement built on student growth and high expectations. The foundation of this success lies in our unwavering commitment to high expectations for all students across all content areas and that every student can, and should, learn and grow. By believing in the potential of every student, we prioritize adaptability, making intentional, data-informed adjustments to meet the evolving needs of our learners.

We believe that growth must be measurable, so we carefully select and utilize tools that allow us to monitor student progress. Our focus on growth extends to all grades and all content areas. We have found that when we focus on growth, achievement largely takes care of itself. Our school’s success is not marked by sweeping changes but by a steadfast commitment to high expectations, collaborative efforts, and responsive, data-informed practices that continually adapt to support the growth of our students.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
ESEA funding has been instrumental in supporting our success by providing targeted resources to enhance teaching and learning. Over the years, these funds have been used to hire instructional coaches and interventionists supporting students and teachers. Coaches analyze data for teachers, participate in collaborative teams, and work alongside administration to ensure all students are growing. Interventionists provide targeted, small-group interventions to help those who need extra support meet grade-level standards. Therefore every student receives the individualized attention and alternative teaching strategies necessary to succeed. This support has lifted our students so they can access all the learning happening in the classroom. When looking at data, we start with many students who need intensive support in the early years, and by the time they reach upper elementary and middle school, they are able to access the curriculum without much additional support.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
Professional development at Paonia K-8 is strategically designed to leverage teachers' collective expertise and collaborative spirit. It focuses on data-driven improvement and shared growth. While teachers take the initiative to enhance their skills individually, the overarching school professional development centers on collaborative problem-solving and targeted improvement based on identified areas of need.

Our approach to Professional Development is there is not one program that will significantly impact student growth and achievement. Instead it is the accumulation of skills over time that develops teachers that are flexible in their ability to present students with the most effective learning environment. Teachers develop instruction from state standards and weave techniques and resources acquired over time from professional learning providers such as Core Knowledge, Stephanie Harvey, Lucy Calkins, SIPPS, Language Live, Neuroteach, Science of Reading, and many more.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
Since 2010 the cultural foundation at Paonia K-8 has been built on a steadfast commitment to student growth and high expectations for all, creating a unique environment where success is not dependent on drastic shifts but rather on small, purposeful adjustments to meet the evolving needs of students and staff. A defining characteristic of our culture is an all-in mentality, where every staff member understands their role in contributing to our school’s shared goals. The consistent expectation across the school is that all students will grow in grade-level standards by the end of the year. This belief drives instructional practices and ensures a unified focus on student growth and success. Rather than undergo major cultural shifts, we continually refine our practices through targeted, data-driven adjustments.

The enduring culture of high expectations and collective responsibility has sustained success and ensured that Paonia K-8 remains a beacon of student growth and achievement.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Our school is the heart of a small, rural community with deep ties to school traditions. Families are a cornerstone on which our success is built, based on strong partnerships between supporters, staff, and students. Volunteers play an integral role in school life, with community members consistently present, working alongside students. Volunteers provide personalized attention that enhances student growth and fosters meaningful relationships, instilling a sense of care and connection within the school community. Teachers seek out partnerships with the community to support programming in outdoor education, the arts, and mental health support. Our school gives back to the community through projects such as highway clean-up, town beautification, and senior citizen support. In essence, the deep-rooted partnership with the community strengthens Paonia K-8’s ability to deliver on its mission of high expectations for all while nurturing a culture of support, collaboration, and excellence.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2024

  • Grades: pre k - 8
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 1,450
    Student Enrollment: 248
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0.4%
    White/Caucasian: 82.3%
    Hispanic: 10.5%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0.5%
    Native American: 0.8%
    Other: 5.5%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:21
    % Reduced Lunch: 58%
    % ELL Learners: 4%
    Founded: 2021
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Sam Cox
  • CONTACT:
    846 Grand Avenue
    Paonia, CO 81428
    970-527-4882
    sam.cox@deltaschools.com