Executive Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Shawn Colleary, scolleary@cherrycreekschools.org
Office number: 720-554-5010
The Office of Curriculum and Instruction supports the Cherry Creek School District Goals to:
- Improve overall student achievement
- Administer and promote educational opportunities for all students
World Class Curriculum
Cherry Creek School District is committed to providing a "world class" curriculum for all students. Emphasis is placed on ensuring that every student will be prepared for college or other post secondary options.
Cherry Creek Standards, which are based on the Colorado State Standards, describe what students are expected to know and be able to do. The curriculum provides a program of instruction based on and designed to enable students to meet or exceed the Board-adopted standards for student performance. In order to meet the needs of all students, a variety of educational programs and instructional practices are offered. In addition, the curriculum is well-articulated district wide while at the same time flexible enough for individualized instruction.
Elementary School K-5
The development of literacy and numeracy skills is the primary focus in elementary school. The curriculum also stresses fundamental skills and concept development in science and social studies. Elementary students enhance their education through the arts, physical education, technology and use of media resources.
Middle School 6-8
Middle school builds on the academic fundamentals of the elementary grades, ensuring a strong foundation for student achievement in high school and postsecondary education. Students must master a broad and thorough knowledge base in reading, writing, mathematics, science, history and geography. Students also may participate in enhanced core curriculum programs, including the arts, media skills, world languages, computers, applied technology, physical education, health and consumer and family studies.
High School 9-12
The high-school curriculum ensures students are prepared for college and careers. All students are encouraged to take the academic core classes as defined by ACT and SAT. ACT defines the specific courses listed below as comprising the academic core. SAT defines the core as the 20+ credits below plus a world language.
4 or more years:
3 or more years:
- Mathematics
- Social Studies
- Natural Sciences
2 or more years:
- Physical Education/Health
Advanced and rigorous curriculum is offered in all high schools through International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement and Honors course work.
World Class Instruction
The Cherry Creek School District’s Mission — “To inspire every student to think, to learn, to achieve, to care” — is a compelling charge. To fulfill that mission we must ensure that all teachers have the knowledge and skill to teach the current and future student population, who will be living and working in a global economy. That calls for world-class instruction focused on preparing students for today and beyond. As a district, we are committed to giving all teachers the tools they need to work effectively with every student so that each child can reach his/her potential.
This Framework for World Class Instruction provides the foundation for instructional excellence. It outlines the most essential components of teaching and learning while giving teachers the flexibility to exercise their professional judgment to meet the needs of individual students.
The Cherry Creek Instructional Framework is a cycle with four key components: plan, teach, monitor, and adjust. While these components overlap to a degree, the framework outlines the key ideas within each one separately and links them to specific aspects of the Cherry Creek Teacher Observation Record.
The Cherry Creek School District’s Instructional Framework is grounded in the principles of classroom practice, climate and organization that research has demonstrated are the most effective methods in increasing student achievement.