Dear Longmont Community:
Have you seen the recent publication from St. Vrain called ST. VRAINNOVATION? You may have received one in the mail or noticed someone reading a copy at your local coffee shop. It celebrates the impact of public education in our community and focuses on how schools use quality educators, innovation and partnerships to shape tomorrow’s leaders.
At Altona Middle School, we provide those same opportunities and showcase our success. Recent CMAS scores demonstrate Altona’s commitment to excellence, with 94.8 percent of students meeting or exceeding expectations in Algebra and 100 percent meeting or exceeding expectations in Geometry. Overall, our school scored an average of 33 points higher than the state in all ELA and math tests.
Last year, nearly 300 students participated in Altona’s new computer science program, featuring coding courses in Scratch, AgentCubes and C++. With encouragement from our dedicated staff, a group of students entered the Verizon App Challenge and won ‘Best in Nation’ for their development of a grammar app. Soon after, our students collaborated with MIT professionals to refine their app and move the project forward.
With funds received from the competition and district support, Altona is finalizing the development of its IDEALab, a makerspace where students can innovate, design and collaborate. This new space is equipped with a 3D printer, an electronics/soldering lab and other innovative tools. The IDEALab is positioned to be a gateway, connecting students to real-world applications and extending learning opportunities within the community.
Altona’s success relies heavily on the continued support of our devoted families and community. I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the ongoing success of public schools in the St. Vrain Valley.
Sincerely,
Jeremy LaCrosse, Principal
Altona Middle School