Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School is one of two Colorado schools to recently be recognized for its quality and success in creating a Professional Learning Community (PLC) by Solution Tree.

Professional Learning Communities at WorkTM are schools and districts in which educators recognize the key to improved learning for students is the on-going, job-embedded learning for the adults who serve those students. The three elements of PLCs include:

1. Learning as the fundamental purpose of the school.
2. Establishing a collaborative culture combined with job-embedded professional development.
3. Basing the school’s effectiveness on results, not intentions.

Kinard Principal Joe Cuddemi said, “We are humbled and honored to be recognized as a National Model of a Professional Learning Community at Work.  Our work is regenerating a collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement and sustaining high performance for adult and student learning.”

PLC schools are listed on AllThingsPLC.info website so that implementation strategies can be shared with other educators.

Kinard is a top performing PSD middle school in student achievement on Colorado standardized tests.  In the fine arts, Kinard has continued to earn a superior rating from the state, and students have award-winning artwork displayed locally. For six years, the school has been presented with the “John Irwin School of Excellence Award” from the Colorado Department of Education for outstanding academic achievement. As an Energy Star Award school, Kinard has been designated “Most Energy Efficient School” in the state of Colorado and was recognized by the governor’s office with the “Colorado Environmental Leadership Award” for its student leadership in composting and recycling.