The Colorado Department of Education awarded Fraser Valley Elementary on April 28 with two high honors, the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award and the John Irwin School of Excellence Award, for the second year in a row, according to a recent press release from the school.

The Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award is presented to schools that demonstrate exceptional student growth over time. Fraser Valley Elementary earned a rating indicating it exceeded expectations on the School Performance Framework’s academic growth indicator for longitudinal academic growth across all grade levels, according to the release.

The John Irwin School of Excellence Award recognizes schools that demonstrate outstanding academic achievement. Fraser Valley Elementary received an “Exceeds Expectations” rating on the academic achievement indicator, demonstrating growth and exceptional performance in math, English language arts, and science.

“These recognitions for a second year in a row speak volumes about the dedication and collaboration within our school community,” Dr. James Chamberlin, principal of Fraser Valley Elementary, said in the release. “We are proud to continue building a culture where students thrive and succeed.”

2,800 schools were eligible for the awards, and 36 received these honors two years in a row, putting Fraser Valley Elementary in the top 1.5% of schools in the state, Chamberlain added.

A full list of awards can be found at the Colorado Department of Education’s 2026 awards page.