Animas Valley Elementary School

A School Family model grounded in relationships and social-emotional growth defines the educational approach at Animas Valley Elementary School, a pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade campus within Durango School District 9-R. Located just north of Durango in a valley setting, the school utilizes structures like coaching self-regulation and democratic class meetings to promote learning and perseverance. The faculty includes Thinking Strategies Institute-trained and Orton-Gillingham-trained teachers who guide students through Workshop model classrooms with flexible grouping. The institution’s vision focuses on developing tools and mindsets that encourage learners to seek understanding of the world, fostering confidence, compassion, and diversity. Students leave with the ability to apply, transfer, and reflect on concepts, driven by a culture that values asking questions and discovering solutions. Families accessing the 2026-27 Back to School Hub find essential details on enrollment, supply lists, transportation, and bell schedules.