Future-Ready DSD: Planning together for the next generation

Future-Ready DSD: Planning for what’s ahead

DSD is planning for significant changes in enrollment, funding, facilities, and community needs. Future-Ready DSD brings the facts, planning work, current proposals, and opportunities for community input together in one place. Learn what’s shaping the future of our schools and how you can participate.

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Escalante Middle School Home

We are crew,
not passengers.
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About Us

Escalante Middle School is for 6th-8th grade students and is located on the south end of Durango, Colorado – just beneath the beautiful Purple Cliffs along the Animas River. Escalante is an EL Learning (formerly Expeditionary Learning) school. This means we believe that learning is active, challenging, meaningful, public, and collaborative. 
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Where we’re located
Durango School District map
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Mission

Our mission is to empower students to apply the habits of work, learning, and scholarship to become productive and caring citizens. Reading, writing, mathematics, geography, science, and history are all taught using the team approach. We meet students' individual learning needs by challenging our instruction to address each student's learning style, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. We use online and computer-based instruction, individualizing reading programs, and student learning groups based on similar academic abilities. 

School & District News

Future-Ready DSD: Planning together for the next generation

Future-Ready DSD: Planning for what’s ahead

DSD is planning for significant changes in enrollment, funding, facilities, and community needs. Future-Ready DSD brings the facts, planning work, current proposals, and opportunities for community input together in one place. Learn what’s shaping the future of our schools and how you can participate.
No school Sept. 21 - Professional Development Day for educators and staff

No school for students on Sept. 21

Monday, Sept. 21, is a Professional Development Day for faculty and staff, and there will be no school for students. Classes will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Board of Education Upcoming Meeting

School Board Regular Meeting is Tuesday

The DSD Board of Education will hold a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 5:30 p.m. at the Impact Career Innovation Center (2410 Main Ave., on the DHS campus). The public is welcome.
YouTube thumbnail showing a college fair in a high school cafeteria

DHS hosts Regional College Fair, plans Highly Selective College Fair on Sept. 29

On Sept. 15, DHS hosted over 20 colleges and universities for the Colorado Council Regional College Fair, giving students a head start on exploring programs, costs, and admissions goals. The postsecondary momentum continues on Tuesday, Sept. 29, with a premier institution fair and application workshop at the Fort Lewis College Ballroom.
Infinite Campus Portal screenshot

Is your emergency contact info up to date? (Here's how to check)

Make sure your family doesn't miss critical alerts! Read our quick step-by-step guide to learn where to update your cell phone and email details directly, how to set your text and call preferences for snow days, and when to contact your school’s front office for assistance.
Yellow and black electric walkie stacker forklift with elevated vertical mast and extended forks on a plain white background.

Public online auction of surplus equipment

Looking for quality commercial equipment at auction pricing? DSD is offering several surplus items through a public online auction, including three Carrier WeatherMaster 10-ton cooling units and an Apollolift Full Electric Walkie Stacker forklift with a 2,200-pound lifting capacity.
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Matt Smith, Principal, Escalante Middle School

Principal's Message

Welcome, Eagle students and families! At Escalante Middle School, we focus on building a culture of respect, responsibility, courage, and kindness — where students and staff are committed to quality work and citizenship. We strive to provide our students with hands-on experiences, both inside and outside of the classroom, so that our students can see the connections between what they are learning in the classroom and the real world. 

Matt Smith
Principal

Events

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Engineer Mountain

Quality of Life

Durango is a beautiful place to live and work. It is located at 6,512 feet elevation in Southwest Colorado near the Four Corners region. Families who live here enjoy a historic steam train, ski resort, rivers, vibrant downtown, bike trails, sky-high “fourteener” mountains, and four distinct seasons with an average of 266 sunny days per year. We welcome new families and new staff members, and we offer excellent benefits and competitive salaries. 
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Accessibility Statement

Durango School District is committed to ensuring our digital platforms are accessible to everyone, aligning with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards and Colorado accessibility laws. If you encounter a barrier or need an alternative format, please contact us at [email protected] or (970) 247-5411.