Four remarkable journeys culminate in emotional ‘first look’ moments as Class of 2025 graduates reveal their academic regalia to the families who supported them through St. Vrain’s transformative educational experience. Click here to watch now.
Dear. St. Vrain Valley Community,
As I write my final Superintendent Update letter, I am filled with immense gratitude for the extraordinary journey we have shared together over the past 24 years, including 16 years as your superintendent. This milestone moment gives me an opportunity to reflect on our collective achievements and to look forward with great optimism to the continued success of our students, teachers, staff, and schools.
When I first joined St. Vrain in 2001 as the principal of Niwot High School, I could never have imagined the remarkable transformation our district would undergo. Together, we have built what I believe to be the finest public education system in the United States—a bold claim, but one I make with unwavering conviction and immense pride as I prepare to retire at the end of this school year.
The #StVrainStorm we’ve created together—that vortex of achievement, advancement, and infinite potential—continues to provide our students with a powerful competitive advantage as they enter an increasingly complex world. Our 2023-2024 on-time graduation rate reached an unprecedented 94.3%, the highest in the Denver Metro Area, and is poised to increase yet again for the 2024-2025 school year, while maintaining the most rigorous graduation requirements and the lowest dropout rate at 0.4%. These statistics are not merely numbers; they represent real students whose lives have been forever changed by the opportunities they’ve received in our schools.
I’ve had the privilege of witnessing firsthand how our students have thrived in our district’s innovative programs, including our instructional focus academies in Biomedical Sciences, Business, Energy, Engineering and Aerospace, Medical and BioScience, Leadership, STEM, Visual and Performing Arts, Pathways to Teaching (P-TEACH), Pathways in Technology Early College High School Associate Degree Program (P-TECH), and more. Our investments in world-class facilities such as the Innovation Center and Career Elevation and Technology Center have given our students unparalleled opportunities to develop skills in emerging industries such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and now, quantum computing.
This year’s graduating class exemplifies everything we’ve worked to achieve. They’ve shattered records for enrollment in rigorous Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and concurrent enrollment college-level courses. With the opportunity to earn approximately 34,500 college credits, they have saved their families an estimated $20 million in future tuition costs. Their achievements have been recognized through prestigious scholarships and acceptances to highly competitive universities, colleges, and military academies across the nation.
What I am most proud of, however, is the people who make up this extraordinary community. It is the students who inspire us with their brilliance and potential, the families who partner with us in their children’s education, the teachers and staff who dedicate their lives to the mission of public education, and the community leaders, business owners, and countless others who champion our schools.
None of our accomplishments would have been possible without your continued support and partnership. Together, we have:
- Created high-quality preschool and full-day kindergarten programs in all elementary school communities 15 years prior to state fully funding them
- Established a nationally recognized model for innovation and workforce development
- Significantly raised student achievement across all measures
- Grown our competitive robotics program to become the largest in the state with numerous state, national, and world championship titles
- Expanded opportunities in athletics, visual and performing arts, and co-curricular programs—this includes growing our music programs to be in the top 15% nationally for the past five years, and for many years winning the highest number of athletic championships by percentage of students in Colorado
- Implemented high-quality 1:1 technology access for all students
- Extended the school day and year through Project Launch and our Achievement Acceleration Academy
- Successfully secured approximately $75 million in competitive grants
- Passed three bond initiatives and two mill levy overrides that have funded nine new schools and brought in billions of dollars of investment into our schools and community.
As I prepare for this transition, I remain steadfast in my belief that “out of our public school grows the greatness of a nation.” The path forward is filled with limitless potential—our financial foundation is strong, our academic achievements continue to soar, and most importantly, our community remains unified in its dedication to providing every child with the very best educational opportunities.
To our students, families, teachers, staff, and community members—thank you for making these years the greatest honor of my professional life. Your compassion, dedication, and innovative spirit will undoubtedly lead our district and our nation forward to greater heights.
With profound gratitude and optimism for the future,
Don Haddad, Ed.D.
Class of 2025
Meet Some of St. Vrain’s 2025 Outstanding Grads
Meet just a few of our approximately 2,300 outstanding graduates who will walk across a stage this week to receive their St. Vrain Valley Schools diploma. Congratulations to all students in the Class of 2025!
Click here to read more.
Class of 2025
St. Vrain 4.0+ Grads Around the World
We are preparing our students for their future by giving them a strong competitive advantage and cultivating a drive for learning and continued growth. See where our 4.0+ graduates are attending college in the fall.
Click here to read more.
Global Citizens in the Making
St. Vrain’s four International Baccalaureate programs transform curious young minds into globally-prepared leaders.
Read More in StVrainnovation Magazine.
This is What a Champion is Made Of
Character, teamwork, strength, resilience, leadership, commitment, passion, and creativity—to name a few. While we most often see these traits play out on our athletic courts and fields, every day across St. Vrain Valley Schools, our students are embodying champion mindsets in their classrooms, in after-school robotics practice, in extra-curricular leadership roles, on the stage, and in their communities.
Read More in StVrainnovation Magazine.
In the News
- Gov. Polis visits Longmont to highlight $75M state quantum push
- Colorado students wow at opening ceremony of 40th Space Symposium
- Erie High School Ranks Third in NASA’s 31st Human Exploration Rover Challenge, Wins Most Improved Award
- St. Vrain Valley Schools Celebrates Class of 2025 P-TEACH Achievements, Expands Opportunities for Future Educators
- St. Vrain Valley graduating seniors ready for next steps
- St. Vrain Valley Schools Earns National Recognition for Budget Excellence
- The St. Vrain Education Foundation Recognized Two Outstanding Educators in St. Vrain: the 2025 District Educator of the Year, Hannah McDonald, and the 2025 Education Champion Award Winner, Dr. Jackie Kapushion
- CETC Students Manufacture Metal Flags for Veterans, Launch Meaningful Partnership
- Future Sustainability Leaders: Soaring Heights PK-8 Students Kick Off Zero-Waste Initiative
- Boulder County students speak at Colorado AI Summit
- St. Vrain Valley Schools Receives National Recognition for Strong Commitment and Access to Music Education, Five Years in a Row
- St. Vrain Valley School District robotics teams headed to world championships
- Innovation Grant Helps Visually Impaired Students Build Community and Reach New Heights
- Longmont High School’s Ashley Beaudoin Honored with CU Boulder’s Best Should Teach Award
- Timberline PK-8 Students Reach for the Moon during the Ad Astra Academy at CU Boulder
- Longs Peak Middle School Celebrated Eighth Grade Students Accepted into High School Focus Programs
- Erie student tops 40 Colorado fifth graders to win Arbor Day poster contest
Important Reminders, Events, and Opportunities
Save the date
2025 Graduation Livestreams
St. Vrain Valley Schools is proud to celebrate the many accomplishments of our Class of 2025 and invites the entire community to join the celebrations virtually through the livestreams of our graduation ceremonies. Click here for more information.
Summer Camp Registration is Open
St. Vrain Valley Schools offers robust summer programming options to keep students engaged in their academic learning. Click here for more information.
Register for 2025-2026 Transportation Services
If you are interested in having your child ride the bus for the 2025-2026 school year, please apply for transportation services as soon as possible. We make every effort to accommodate as many eligible riders as possible.
Click here for more information.
Now Hiring: Join the #StVrainStorm
You will be joining a highly effective and supportive team of professionals who are having a significant impact in the lives of students and families within our community.
Click here for open positions.