Schools across CCSD recognized for their excellence
The Colorado Department of Education has once again recognized excellence across the Cherry Creek School District, honoring a new group of schools for outstanding academic achievement and student growth during the 2025–26 school year. Each school will receive a banner celebrating its accomplishment and long‑term commitment to student success.
John Irwin School of Excellence Award
This year, seventeen Cherry Creek schools earned the John Irwin School of Excellence Award, a distinction created in 2008 to honor schools that consistently demonstrate exceptional academic achievement.
Congratulations to:
- Altitude Elementary
- Black Forest Hills Elementary
- Campus Middle School
- Challenge School
- Cherry Creek Academy
- Cherry Creek High School
- Cherry Hills Village Elementary
- Cottonwood Creek Elementary
- Creekside Elementary
- Dry Creek Elementary
- Greenwood Elementary
- Heritage Elementary
- Homestead Elementary
- Rolling Hills Elementary
- Walnut Hills Community Elementary
- West Middle School
- Willow Creek Elementary
The John Irwin Award is given to schools that “exceed” expectations on the academic achievement indicator of the state’s School Performance Framework over a rolling three‑year period.
Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award
In addition, five Cherry Creek schools received the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award, established in 2002 to recognize schools that demonstrate exceptional longitudinal academic growth.
Congratulations to:
- Altitude Elementary
- Belleview Elementary
- Peakview Elementary
- Trails West Elementary
- Walnut Hills Community Elementary
This award is presented to schools that “exceed” expectations on the academic growth indicator of the School Performance Framework over three years.