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Public
Schools in Pagosa Springs
All residents of Pagosa Springs are fortunate to have quality
educational opportunities available to them. The public school
system, Archuleta School District 50 Joint, operates one elementary
school (grade K-4), one intermediate school (grades 5 & 6), one
junior high school (grades 7 & 8), and one high school (grades
9-12). They provide a hot lunch and breakfast program every day.
The campuses are "closed" and students must either bring a lunch
or purchase a lunch either from the main menu or items from a
snack bar. Read about the schools below, or visit
the School District website.
 Pagosa
Springs High School
Pagosa Springs High School moved to its new state-of-the-art facility
in the fall of 1998 near the sports complex. The high school operates
on a block schedule, with each student taking 4 courses a semester
and each course meeting 95 minutes a day on Monday through Thursday.
On Friday each class meets for 70 minutes and school is dismissed
at 1:30 p.m. The teachers then utilize the afternoon for planning
purposes. With this intense concentration, a normal year's course
is completed in one semester. The student then takes four new
courses the second semester, thus completing eight courses a year.
In addition to the excellent academic offerings for students at
the high school, a wide range of extracurricular activities are
available as well. Pagosa Springs is a 3A school, and is consistently
competitive in a number of team sports. The 2000-2001 girls' and
boys' basketball teams won league, district, and regional championships.
After also winning the league, district, and regional titles,
the volleyball team advanced to the state tournament for the sixth
consecutive year. The wrestling team also sent three wrestlers
to the state tournament. The boys' and girls' cross-country team
had a strong showing at the state meet. The football team finished
the season with a winning record. The soccer team and the golf
team also boasted successful seasons. The baseball team is the
defending league champion and promises, along with the track team,
to improve on a strong showing last spring. Pagosa Springs Cheerleaders
continue to represent themselves as one of the best squads in
the region. The girls' soccer team had an outstanding season last
year and is on their way to another winning season.
The Future Business Leaders of America organization is always
a top finisher in the state competition and is recognized as a
Gold Seal winner. Students at Pagosa Springs High School also
participate and distinguish themselves in drama, band, and choir.
The district is committed to educating the whole student.
Visit
the high school's website
The Archuleta County High School
Focusing on 14- to 19-year old students, the Archuleta County
High School provides an education opportunity for teenagers struggling
with grades, attendance or discipline. The public schools have
more than 1,700 students, and although it is generally agreed
that our public schools are excellent, some students need more
attention and communications than others. Four days a week, students
of the Archuleta County High Schools gather at the Archuleta County
Education Center. They attend four 90-minute classes per day.
In a typical day, students will study math, English, and cooperative
learning before lunch. Then come physical education, science or
social studies, followed by a clean-up of the building.
The school focuses on teamwork, offering teenagers valuable experience
that will be sought-after by employers when they enter the work
force. For one project, students cooperated with the Chamber of
Commerce to build a rock wall around the Pagosa Springs Welcome
sign. The school was started as a drop-out recovery program in
1997, and since then, attendance has risen steadily. Created with
the cooperation of the Pagosa Springs High School Administration,
students are accepted with their approval, and according to applications.
The school is partially funded on a per-student basis through
a contract with Archuleta County School District 50 Joint, and
is supplemented by grants and donations. Students are required
to be in attendance 90 percent of the time, and must pass 80 percent
of classes. Graduation and GED success rates are high, and are
improving every year.
Visit
the school's website
 Pagosa
Springs Junior High School
The new Junior High School has many needed features such
as larger classrooms, technology and Internet links in each room,
complete science labs, and a modern library which contains books
and other learning materials specifically selected for the students
of this age and ability, a bigger gym, a wrestling room, and a
weight room. The well-balanced program includes challenging course
work in English, math, science (life and earth), social studies
(geography and American History), reading, physical education,
and technology education.
The teachers provide meaningful learning and expect quality work
from their students. The students can expect helpful and friendly
teachers in each classroom who work with parents and students
to improve learning. In addition to the required classes, a variety
of fine arts classes and science and technology-related electives
are offered. The eighth graders must choose two electives and
the seventh graders may take one elective.
Many extracurricular activities are open to all students. The
philosophy is to provide teams at a level where students can compete
successfully and all students participate in every game, provided
they are in good standing in school.
Pagosa
Springs Intermediate School
The opening of the new Pagosa Springs High School made way for
the establishment of Pagosa Springs Intermediate School in the
old junior high school building. This school consists of grades
5 and 6. The fifth grade classes operate as traditional self-contained
classrooms. Sixth grade classes are departmentalized by subject
area. Students will have special classes in art, physical education,
music and band. A gifted and talented program is a part of the school.
The school has a computer lab in addition to computers in the
regular classrooms.
Pagosa Springs Elementary School
The Elementary School sits on prime property overlooking the Town
of Pagosa Springs. The view of the San Juan Range from the school
is enviable. Pagosa Springs Elementary has 24 classrooms in kindergarten
through fourth grade. Each student enjoys instruction in art,
music, and physical education. When appropriate, a student's educational
needs may be met through special education, Title l reading or
math, or the Pagosa Enrichment Program (P.E.P.).
 Speech
and language services and occupational and physical therapy are
available to students who qualify. A full-time counselor supports
students, parents and staff members. At Pagosa Springs Elementary
School, the professional staff and community volunteers work together
with students and parents to promote excellence.
Back to Main
Schools Information Page
Visit
the Archuleta School District web site
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