Colorado John Irwin Schools of Excellence Award
2023*, 2019, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010
The John Irwin awards are given to schools that demonstrate exceptional academic achievement over time. These schools received an Exceeds Expectations rating on the Academic Achievement indicator of the School Performance Frameworks reflecting exceptional performance in Math, English Language Arts, and Science.
Colorado Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award
2023*, 2019, 2018
The Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards are given to schools that demonstrate exceptional student growth. On the school performance framework that is used by the state to evaluate schools, these schools "exceed" expectations on the indicator related to longitudinal academic growth and "meet or exceed" expectations on the indicator related to academic growth gaps.
*awards in 2020 & 2021 not determined due the COVID-19 pandemic
Green Ribbon School
2016
The U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools honors America’s public and private elementary, middle and high schools for their efforts toward improving student health and achievement and reducing their environmental impact. A Green Ribbon Schools award will represent a healthy and sustainable school, recognized by parents, students, staff and governments at federal, state and local levels as an exemplary model of achievement in sustainability, health andenvironmental education. Green Ribbon Schools sets a standard of excellence for all schools to become energy efficient and healthy learning spaces that provide environmental education. National studies and existing green schools programs indicate that the benefits of the Green Ribbon Schools program will include increased energy cost savings, improved student and staff health and productivity, enhanced critical thinking skills, improved student performance, reduced behavioral problems and increased student engagement, particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.
Technology
Heritage Elementary has made a passionate commitment to technology and21st century skills for our students. Heritage is one of a hand full of schools in the nation to provide a device for every student in our school. This is referred to as 1-to-1 or 1-to- the world because it allows our students access to a world of resources and opportunities. Students in second grade through sixth grade are provided with Chromebooks, students in kindergarten and first grade are provided iPads. Fifth and sixth grade classrooms are equipped SMART projectors to aid in instruction. We also utilize Google Expedition as a tool to bring the world of to our students. In addition, our staff participates in staff development focused specifically on technology to maximize the use of these tools to best reach their students.
National Wildlife Federation
Green Flag Award-
To win the Green Flag, Heritage’s students and faculty tackled a host of sustainability initiatives that began with forming an Eco-Action team; auditing facility energy efficiency, waste disposal and other environmental impact areas; and instituting environmental-themed curricula. These steps raised environmental and natural awareness, cut waste, increased student engagement and saved money for the school.
Certified Wildlife Habitat
The Schoolyard Habitats® is designed to highlight the significant contributions of schools and organizations to the great accomplishment of creating a Schoolyard Habitat - a place of learning and nature exploration for students and a haven for wildlife.