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Sand Creek Zone

The Sand Creek Zone

 

meet the team

 

 

     The Sand Creek Zone is located at the southern end of District 49. Our zone includes Evans Elementary, Horizon Middle, Remington Elementary, Sand Creek High School, Springs Ranch Elementary and Stetson Elementary. The Sand Creek Zone is made up of 5 Title 1 schools, receiving federal funding to support academic achievement and growth. We also offer a Dual Language Immersion opportunity at Stetson elementary, beginning with Kindergarten and 1st grade, that is only available in District 49. Many of our schools truly embody the Community School model, utilizing our community partners, resources and volunteers to bring a well-rounded education to our students and families.  Josten's Renaissance is a cornerstone of the Sand Creek Zone; we believe that building relationships is critical to high-achieving schools and that students and staff must feel connected to their work in order to succeed. We are dedicated to student success, service to our community, dedication to our people and constant innovation and growth. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

in the zone new logo

Recognize a Sand Creek Employee that is "In the Zone". This is a special recognition that acknowledges a Sand Creek Zone employee who has done an outstanding job, made an extraordinary effort, went above and beyond their role or presented an overly caring or welcoming attitude.

Those selected as "In the Zone" through this nomination will receive zone wide recognition for their exceptional efforts. Nominations do not guarantee an award winning spot for that month.

Nominate your Sand Creek Zone employee here.


 

framework
The Sand Creek Zone holds instruction in high regard. We believe all teachers should provide great instruction, every day. Our instructional framework came from a collaboration of all zone instructional coaches as well as feedback from our administration team. This framework is visible in each classroom in the Sand Creek Zone and guides our observations and evaluations of what good instruction looks like. 

 

Instructional Framework: The Sand Creek Zone is committed to building collective efficacy by intentionally fostering a student-centered culture with clear instructional expectations focused on student success.

Culture: positive relationships, clear routines, explicit expectations with accountability, engagement, and recognition

Instruction: Data-driven decisions, viable curriculum, intentional, collaborative planning, explicit core instruction and intervention, language-rich environment

Success: Student growth and achievement is vital, clarity of learning intention and success criteria, effective use of instructional time, timely feedback, growth mindset, and peer collaboration

We offer many certifications and certificates that students can earn prior to graduating high school with a focus on Business, Manufacturing, Computer Science, Engineering, Graphic Design, Personal Training, and Health & Exercise Science pathways for students to explore. We are excited to be adding Criminal Justice starting in the Winter of 2024. We offer a wide variety of college courses at Sand Creek High School, supporting the most CE students in the district with many of them earning 1-2 years of free college courses prior to graduation. We also have brought on AVID at the high school level to move our students from the middle to higher-achieving courses, mindsets and growth.

 


 

flier
The Sand Creek Zone leads the way in Community and Family Engagement. We have 5 Family Engagement Liaisons for our Title 1 schools; these liaisons provide resources, plan events and connect with our families to add value to the work of our schools. We host the only food and clothing pantry, the Community Resource Center, at Horizon Middle School, which is open to all families in D49. We provide many opportunities for Adult and Family Education with our Parent Academies, resource fairs, and Sand Creek Zone partner meetings. We know the value of partnering with our families and community and strive to enhance and maintain those partnerships.  

 


 

Sand Creek High School

7005 North Carefree Circle
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80922
 
 

Horizon Middle School

1750 Piros Drive
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80915
 
 

Evans Elementary School

1675 Winnebago Road
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80915
 
 

Remington Elementary School

2825 Pony Tracks Drive
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80922
 
 

Springs Ranch Elementary School

4350 Centerville Drive
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80922
 
 

Stetson Elementary School

4910 Jedediah Smith Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80922
 
 

Email: dustin.horras@d49.org

Phone: 719.495.1167

Dustin Horras

Dustin Horras serves as the Sand Creek Zone Superintendent.  The Sand Creek Zone encompasses six schools in the southeastern boundary of District 49.  
 
Horras is beginning his 28th year in District 49, all serving within the Sand Creek Zone.  His teaching career began at Evans Elementary School, teaching 4th grade.  After two years teaching 4th grade, Horras spent seven years as the physical education teacher at Evans.  Following nine years teaching at EES, he spent one year as the Dean of Students at Sand Creek High School.  Dustin returned to Evans and spent three years as the Assistant Principal before taking over as principal for the next four years.  After one year working with all schools in the Sand Creek Zone as Zone Specialist, Horras returned to a principal position at Horizon Middle School where he spent the previous nine years.  Beginning with the 2023-24 school year, Dustin has transitioned into the role of Sand Creek Zone Superintendent.

As Zone Superintendent, Horras takes great pride in the Sand Creek Zone schools, the students and staff.  He believes in a strong culture based on what is best for students that includes staff that are devoted to supporting each student's social, emotional, and academic development.  Going above and beyond in meeting the needs of all students and providing an outstanding education in an engaging and caring school environment is essential to success across the Sand Creek Zone. 
 
Sand Creek Zone schools deeply value and encourage parents and the community as partners in the development and education of all students while working together to create a learning environment that supports individual students in fulfilling their potential as learners. 

Dustin looks forward to continuing to serve the Sand Creek community as Zone Superintendent.  Please feel free to reach out at dustin.horras@d49.org.

Sand Creek Zone Updates

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