A letter drafted to the Editorial Page of the Durango Herald:
I wanted to take a quick second to let the community know how excited I am to be involved with the new Animas High School. AHS, a free public school of choice will be opening in the fall of 2009. Our school is based on the High Tech High School which has successfully served San Diego students since 2000. What excites me most about this project is the opportunity to collaborate with all the great people, educators, businesses and resources found throughout Durango, La Plata county and Southwest Colorado. I want to thank everyone who has helped make my transition to Durango a smooth and welcomed one. It is an exciting time for the young adults in our lives. Along with Animas, there exist many fabulous options for high school students. Wherever students decide to attend high school, the fact is that they now have more options available to them than ever before! Public, private, parochial or charter; isn’t it terrific that we can reach out and find the best spot for every individual? I have enjoyed the chance to meet local superintendents, administrators, board and staff members affiliated with the different districts, youth programs and educational venues. It is inspiring to see the commitment and dedication that these educators, public officials, student mentors and families have for the youth of our community. Together we can continue to give every student a solid foundation for success in the 21st century and help guide our young adults towards an amazing future. Thank you for welcoming me as your neighbor and I look forward to meeting those parents, friends, teachers and coaches who’ve I’ve not connected with yet. The future appears incredibly bright and together we can support our children as they strive to accomplish amazing things.
Respectfully,
Michael Ackerman
Head of School
