Nearly 80 percent of schools in Pueblo County School District 70 are performing at the highest level established by the state.

That's according to the recently released Colorado Department of Education's preliminary ratings and performance frameworks for 2018, which show that 18 of 23 D70 schools have attained the level of Performance, the highest of four tiers.

The district also retained its Accredited status � the second highest rating � with a 58.8 percent out of 100. This is an improvement from 2017's percentile mark of 55.9 percent.

The district and school performance frameworks are intended to serve as a snapshot of the level of academic achievement, growth and post-secondary/workforce readiness attained by a district and school.

The presentation of the CDE's findings by D70's Assistant Superintendent Ginger Andenucio during Tuesday's regular board of education was greeted with much joy.

Along with Almond Joy candy bars, which Andenucio passed out as a sweet reminder of the district's continued success and growth.

"Last year, 66 percent of our schools received a Performance rating," Andenucio said. "This year, 18 out of 23 schools received a performance rating, or 78 percent.

"We are ecstatic to see the increase in the number of schools receiving a Performance rating. For all our schools, we are grateful and appreciative for all the hard work by our students and staff members. We are also appreciative of the ongoing support from parents and our communities and the leadership of our board of education. Our goal is to always continue to work hard to increase student achievement."

Andenucio also told the board that the district's seven-year graduation rate for all students is nearly 90 percent. Either maintaining or moving up into the Performance tier this year are Skyview Middle School, Desert Sage Elementary School, Beulah Middle School, Cedar Ridge Elementary School, North Mesa Elementary School, Pleasant View Middle School, Prairie Winds Elementary School, Pueblo County High School, Pueblo West High School, Swallows Charter Academy High School, Swallows Charter Academy, The Connect Charter School, Rye High School, Rye Elementary School, Craver Middle School, Sierra Vista Elementary School, Vineland Elementary School and Vineland Middle School.

Those D70 schools not at the Performance level are rated Improvement, the second-highest level.

The stellar ratings and performance framework showing follows the release of results from the CDE's statewide assessments that reveal that while D70 students are not performing to the expectations established by the state, the test scores continue to improve, especially in math. And overall, the D70 test marks are, for the most part, either at or above those of the rest of the state's students.

"Test scores in District 70 continue to improve, and many people deserve credit for this," said Superintendent Ed Smith. "Our board members have made it clear to us that student learning and safety are the highest priorities for our schools. Therefore, our teachers, administrators, support staff, parents and students have been very focused on student achievement.

"The results are evident. The support District 70 has received in recent years to update facilities has contributed greatly to these scores as well. Voter support and confidence, and the commitment of our staff, have paid off. Sustaining student academic growth is critical, and we count on everyone�s help to get that done."

Ted Ortiviz, a D70 board member, praised Smith, Andenucio and the leadership team for their role in the district's continued growth, noting that such achievements are a result of a policy "that puts kids first."

jpompia@chieftain.com