Almost four years ago, my daughter transitioned from a homeschool student to a fully enrolled ninth-grade student at our local mountain town high school. I was inspired by the principal's assertion that our school had the potential to be the top-performing school in our district. The following week, he and I met to discuss a plan to be sure that every student in both the middle and high school had access to direct coaching in the areas of productivity and accountability.

Three years later, we collaborate with the counseling office to target student athletes and performers to support them in maintaining eligibility. Counselors access student reports, which indicate missing assignments or diminishing grades. Students choose to visit during study hall to review their goals, organize their packs, and calendars. They identify their assignments, check emails, and clarify and verify course expectations. They make a plan and share it with their parents.

Last September, the principal published our school's performance indicators. He said:

This week, the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) released the School Performance Frameworks (SPF) for all public schools across the state. The SPF functions as a school’s report card, measuring academic achievement, academic growth, and postsecondary and workforce readiness.

I’m proud to share that for the 2024–2025 school year, Nederland Middle-Senior High School earned its highest rating ever since the current SPF system was introduced in 2019. We earned 78.4% of the possible points—an exceptional outcome that reflects the hard work, dedication, and commitment of our entire staff.

Highlights from the SPF:

Exceeds rating in academic achievement on the PSAT/SAT English Language Arts

Exceeds rating in academic growth on the PSAT/SAT in both English Language Arts and Mathematics

While we celebrate this progress, the SPF also highlights areas for continued focus—most notably, academic growth and achievement among students eligible for free or reduced lunch.

The pillars that create The Function Club built skills and created measurable growth for an entire school. Imagine what The Function Club can do for your family.