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Innovative plan at Adams 14 school gets green light

STATE BOARD BACKS CENTRAL ELEMENTARY BUT DEMANDS RESULTS

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado Staff

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The Colorado State Board of Education approved by a wide majority (8 votes in favor and one against) the request from Adams 14 School District for Central Elementary School to maintain its innovation status. This decision allows the school to continue implementing the “community school” model, aimed at strengthening family engagement, improving academic performance, and offering integrated social programs within the school environment.

Central Elementary, located in Commerce City, currently serves 421 students from kindergarten through sixth grade. It is a predominantly Latino community. 96% of students belong to ethnic minorities, 60% are multilingual learners, and 16% have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). These figures reflect a complex and challenging reality, where educational interventions must consider both academic and social factors.

Monitored Improvement Plan

Since receiving innovation status in 2022, the school has operated as a community hub, offering English classes for parents, family problem-solving teams, and diabetes prevention programs in partnership with local universities. The district reports improvements in attendance, student engagement, and a significant reduction in disciplinary incidents. “The approach strengthened our relationship with families and created a stable environment for our students,” said Superintendent Karla Loría.

The principal of Central Elementary, along with her teaching team, was also praised by state leadership for their sustained commitment. The approved plan includes at least four annual monitoring visits to the school, as well as biannual reports to the local education board. Central Elementary must present concrete results by fall 2026, one year earlier than initially planned, which will allow for an evaluation of the viability of extending or modifying the current model.

Unanswered Questions

Despite the majority vote, not all voices were in full agreement. Some in the education community argue that while innovation has led to qualitative improvements—such as better school climate—there is still a need to demonstrate substantial academic progress, particularly in reading and math. “Are we seeing real progress or just better perception?” asked a retired teacher and grandfather of three Central students.

There is also concern about the long-term sustainability of the model, especially in a context of limited budgets. The success of the recent school bond and increased property taxes are signs of community support, but they don’t guarantee future financial stability.

An Opportunity, Not a Blank Check

The approval of innovation status represents a renewed opportunity for Central Elementary and the leadership of Adams 14—a district historically under scrutiny for poor academic performance. But it is also a call for more rigorous accountability.Since 2017, Adams 14 has been under continuous monitoring by the Colorado Department of Education. In 2018, the district was formally placed under state intervention, and in 2019, control was handed over to an external management entity, MGT Consulting.

Innovative plan at Adams 14 school gets green light

Tensions and disagreements led to the termination of that contract in 2022 and legal disputes followed. Although the district regained partial local control in 2023, it remains under strict state oversight. The district’s future hinges on sustained improvement, with even the possibility of dissolution on the table if academic outcomes fail to improve.

Innovative plan at Adams 14 school gets green light

As one parent at the hearing said, “We want schools that listen to families, but also schools that teach well.” The future of this school—and in many ways, of a district seeking to rebuild trust—rests in finding that balance between community, innovation, and measurable results.