SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

Thank You!

As we come together to begin a new school year, I want to start by expressing my deepest gratitude to each of you—our students, staff, and community members—for your unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence. Thanks to your efforts, The Colorado Springs School District 11 isn’t just improving—we’re soaring.

Over 33% of our schools were on the state watchlist two years ago. Today, that number is nearing 10%, and we are on our way to ZERO schools on the list, with the goal of 100% of our schools at Performance status. This incredible progress is a testament to the dedication of our students, the tireless efforts of our staff, and the unwavering support of our community. But we’re not stopping there. Our collective strength will drive us toward this ambitious goal.

At the heart of our success lies a fundamental truth: the key to student achievement is access to high-quality instruction. That’s why we’re doubling down on our investment in our educators—the true champions of our classrooms. We’re not just talking about competitive salaries; we’re creating a culture of continuous growth through peer-to-peer coaching, innovative support systems, and policies designed to protect the integrity of the learning environment by removing distractions and empowering student agency. By safeguarding our classrooms, we’re igniting the potential in every student.

Michael Gaal, Superintendent