The Center School is nestled at 7,500 feet in the beautiful San Luis Valley, surrounded by high mountain peaks, with camping, hiking, rafting, and rock climbing in the summer and skiing in the winter. The area boasts such attractions as the Great Sand Dunes, hot springs, and the oldest town in Colorado. The Center Schools population is 88% Hispanic, 10% Anglo, and 2% Native American. The children suffer from the second highest free and reduced lunch rate of any school in the state of Colorado with 91% meeting the federal guidelines of poverty. Over a third of secondary students are attempting to become first generation high school graduates, and 90% will be first generation college graduates. Despite the challenges these students face Center has been recognized for as a Center of Educational Excellence by the Colorado Department of Education. Working under the mission "to promote through education and modeling the physical, emotional, intellectual and social well being of the school and community to enable all to reach their fullest potential," the school operates on the assumption that all students can succeed given the appropriate skills, tools, and motivation. An innovative and energetic group of school staff develop and implement programming aimed at youth asset development that includes peer mentoring, peer mediation, bullying prevention, ATOD (alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs) prevention, teen pregnancy prevention, academic development and tutoring, parenting education, post-secondary prep, and emotional and physical health and wellness. The school is committed to providing programming that is based in best practices. These programs not only empower youth and families to pursue personal goals, but revitalize a community historically riddled by poverty, teen pregnancy, and substance use.

Center Schools

Health & Wellness Programming Volunteer & Donor Site: