Zones are an important and sometimes misunderstood component of the board directed innovation philosophy of District 49. Student populations across our district's large geographic area have different educational needs, learning styles, political values and social structures. To meet the needs of our students and families across the district, a one size fits all approach doesn't make sense.
 
Zones allow our three different geographic regions and non-traditional learning community to have flexibility in executing our strategic plan. Educational philosophies, areas of study that are emphasized, and how financial resources are allocated are all different between our autonomous zones. 
 
It's local. It's school by school. It's making District 49 the best district to learn, work and lead.

The POWER Zone is comprised of six unique and excellent schools across the northwest portion of District 49: Vista Ridge High School, Skyview Middle School, Inspiration View Elementary School, Ridgeview Elementary School, ALLIES, and Odyssey Elementary School. Although each POWER Zone school is unique, we are guided by a shared vision, mission, and values.

POWER Zone values apply to students, staff, and families and they include prioritizing:  family, service, trust, relationships, purposeful innovation, and continuous growth.

POWER Zone leaders, teachers, and support staff function to ensure a safe and collaborative culture, effective teaching in every classroom, and a guaranteed and viable curriculum.  Research-based resources are utilized in our work.  The Capturing Kids' Heart process provides an inspiring relational framework that is used across our six campuses.  Marzano's High Reliability Schools framework and the New Art & Science of Teaching instructional framework provide processes, elements, and strategies that promise a strong focus on teaching and learning and an excellent educational experience for every student.

     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. 

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.

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.