That reorganization was more than a bureaucratic reshuffling. It was the beginning of a new chapter for dozens of one-room schoolhouses scattered across our county. These little schools, many of which still stand as private homes today, served generations of families and helped shape the character of our region.
The story behind that “R” stretches back to the 1940s, when Colorado lawmakers sought to modernize education across the state. Many rural districts – often serving only elementary grades – lacked access to high schools, updated curriculum, or even the postwar technologies that were becoming common in larger towns. In 1959, Durango’s urban school district officially merged with 12 rural districts under a voter-approved plan known as “Plan B.” The student population grew overnight, and a new seven-member school board was formed, including voices from the outlying communities.
Durango School District was born from this reorganization. The “9-R” name served us well for decades; but today, it no longer reflects who we are – or where we’re headed.
We’ve grown into a modern, innovative, future-focused district. Our schools are nationally recognized. All our sports teams were represented at state this year. Our classrooms are filled with STEM projects, robotics programs, outdoor learning labs, and career pathways that prepare students for the real world. The new name Durango School District – or DSD for short – better reflects our mission and helps reduce confusion in our community.
That confusion is real. Many local families are surprised to learn that charter schools like Mountain Middle School, and Animas High School are not part of our public school district. While these schools are tuition-free and receive state funding, they operate independently and are governed by separate boards. They don’t share our curriculum, our accountability standards, or our oversight.
Public schools in Durango School District are different. We are guided by an elected school board, follow Colorado Academic Standards, and are accountable to all taxpayers in our region. We serve every student who walks through our doors – no lottery, wait list or interview required.
Our name change reflects our modern identity and helps clarify that we are the only public school district serving Durango and the surrounding region. This is a natural time to refresh our name and reinforce our identity. Last November, our community generously supported the 2024 Investing in Our Schools Bond, which is already making an impact across our campuses with maintenance work this summer. One exciting project on the horizon is a brand-new elementary school in the growing Three Springs neighborhood, set to open in the summer of 2028. It will be a shining example of the innovative direction our district is heading, and we know the community will be proud of it.
As we grow, we remain rooted in the values of the region we serve. Durango may be the hub, but DSD spans more than 1,100 square miles: from the wide hay fields of Sunnyside to the windswept vistas of Breen, to the red cliffs of the Animas Valley. We honor the unique character of our outlying communities and welcome commuter families from nearby towns to open enroll in select schools.
This isn’t a break from our past – it’s a continuation of it. We’re proud of our 144-year history. That’s why, over the coming year, we’ll be telling the stories of the small schoolhouses that built the foundation for public education in La Plata County. These profiles will appear in our weekly Community Update e-newsletter. You can subscribe at https://tinyurl.com/ycyts26n.
Even as we look to the future, we believe it’s important to remember where we came from. We are a district with deep roots, big dreams, and a shared commitment to serving every student – whether they live downtown or 40 miles out on a country road. From small-town start to world-class heart, we are… Durango School District (DSD).
Share your schoolhouse story
Do you have a photo, memory, or insight about one of La Plata County’s historic schoolhouses? We’d love to hear from you as we preserve and celebrate our district’s legacy. Email your story to: [email protected].