Students, parents excited and hopeful about new year in Adams 14 schools

BY YESENIA ROBLES CHALKBEAT COLORADO

Getting ahead of most school districts in the state, Adams 14 students started a new school year nervous, excited, and curious about possible changes the district might roll out.

Adams 14 is expected to be making changes as part of its turnaround as the rst district in the state ordered into reorganization after many years of low ratings in state performance measures. Most parents and students were unaware of the turnaround changes, and some were curious about what to expect.

Most students at the high school on Aug. 7 didn’t know about the school’s plans to create career academies in health sciences and human services; architecture, construction, engineering and design; business, hospitality and tourism; and digital information and technology. e district has said ninth graders would eventually pick one of the four academies, or paths, that can give them certi cations along with their high school diplomas.

Some students don’t expect much to change. However, many already had their schedules in hand as they walked into school — an important improvement over some past years when students reported waiting days in the audi- torium to get a schedule.

At Monaco Elementary, parents walked their little ones, carrying stu ed backpacks, boxes of tissues, and other supplies, to wait for their teachers to take them into their rst day of classes.

Monaco is receiving students this year from former Hanson Elementary which the district closed due to declining enrollment and to make more room for the alternative high school. Parents of Hanson students said their kids were nervous, but fortunately found former teachers and classmates among the friendly faces at their new school.

“ ey’re very excited now that they found out a lot of their friends moved with them,” said parent Tabitha Amaya. Her rst and third graders were still getting used to the new school building, but besides praising the lunch and recess periods of the day, were excited to have a science class this year. “ at’s the highlight.”

For Amaya, one concern remains: how she’ll manage to get her kids to school on ursdays. e district