Animas High School is being created to address the diverse educational needs of our community’s young people. The school is developing a personalized, project-based learning environment where all students are well known and challenged to meet high expectations. Students and families who share a desire for academic rigor are encouraged to join us. We look forward to collaborative and cooperative relationships with school districts and educators in Southwest Colorado.
As our August opening approaches, we wish to correct some misimpressions. In a May 8th letter to parents, Principal Diane Lashinsky stated that Durango High School was unable to create a master schedule for next fall, implying that AHS was causing this delay by not releasing names of enrolled students. In fact, on April 14, AHS had already provided 9-R with its total number of 9th grade enrollees residing within 9-R boundaries. AHS cannot release specific names without violating the privacy of its students and is not responsible for Durango High’s delay in developing a master schedule.
Further, inaccuracies in recent Durango Herald articles have linked our new school to an anticipated enrollment drop of 200 DHS students and 9-R staff reductions. With a total enrollment of 100 students, including districts other than 9-R, AHS clearly could not cause such a drop. Rumors like these are unhealthy for everyone.
We anticipate a continued, cooperative relationship with 9-R and other districts. We seek partnerships with local organizations interested in furthering the education of all our youth, not only to prepare them for college, but hopefully to pave the way for them to return as college graduates to pursue careers here in our region. The purpose of Animas High is to build community, not to divide it.
