May 6, 2025

 

Buckhorn Creek Elementary School has been awarded the Full EL Education School Credential, a nationally recognized distinction that honors schools demonstrating exceptional and equitable outcomes across academics, character development, and high-quality student work. 

The credential, valid through 2030, places Buckhorn Creek among an elite group of schools that embody EL Education’s vision for transformational public education.

This honor follows a comprehensive evaluation that included a rigorous application process and an intensive on-site review. Buckhorn Creek impressed the EL Education credentialing team with its deep culture of excellence, inclusive instructional practices, and visible student ownership of learning.

“Since our school opened seven years ago, we have completely reimagined what school, and instruction would look like here,” said Buckhorn Creek Elementary Principal Dr. Daniel Simons. “We’ve spent a lot of time helping teachers develop the skills that they needed to truly understand what rigorous instruction would look like, and then help them build their tools so they could engage kids in that meaningful learning.”

This prestigious recognition is awarded to schools that exemplify excellence and equity in student achievement across three core dimensions: Mastery of Knowledge and Skills, Character, and High-Quality Student Work. This credential signifies a school's deep implementation of EL Education's Core Practices, which serve as a blueprint for transforming instruction, assessment, leadership, curriculum, and school culture.​

About EL Education

EL Education is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming public education through its comprehensive model that integrates rigorous academics with character development and high-quality work. Founded in 1992 as Expeditionary Learning, the EL Education organization partners with schools and districts to create engaging learning environments that foster student achievement and personal growth.

EL Education's approach is grounded in ten design principles, including The Primacy of Self-Discovery, Empathy and Caring, and Service and Compassion, which collectively aim to cultivate students who are active contributors to a better world. The organization's curriculum and professional development resources are designed to support educators in implementing these principles effectively.

District Leadership Applauds School-Wide Impact

Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services Michele Woodson praised Buckhorn Creek for its sustained commitment to excellence and its role as a model for public education.

“Following the EL Education team’s visit, it is clear that the dedication, innovation, and excellence demonstrated by Buckhorn Creek deserve the highest recognition,” said Woodson. “Ron Berger, a national leader in EL Education, was particularly moved by the school’s deeply rooted culture and the high-quality student work proudly displayed throughout the building—a reflection of the vibrant, meaningful learning taking place inside.”

Woodson also spoke to the unique strength of the school’s community.

“Parents described a school where inclusion is not just a value, but a lived reality. Students proudly spoke about the encouragement they receive daily from ‘the best teachers to help us achieve hard things.’ That kind of mindset speaks volumes about the transformative impact of this school,” Woodson added.

The evaluation team was so impressed that they have already recommended Buckhorn Creek as a model site for other schools and EL teams across the country to visit and learn from—a rare and prestigious distinction.

Culture of Crew, Excellence, and Belonging

At the heart of Buckhorn Creek’s approach is the school-wide practice of “Crew”, a daily structure that fosters trust, character development, and student voice. 

 

Simons said the Crew mindset is a part of the EL model, and something the entire school community is vested in. He likened the Crew mindset to that of a rowing crew.

 
“We’re all rowing in the same direction and we’ve got to support one another, and that’s something we’ve really embraced in this building,” said Simons. “It doesn’t matter your role in this building, how are you helping the person next to you get to the end destination.” 

 

Teachers infuse character instruction into academic content, creating classrooms where perseverance, kindness, and collaboration are taught and lived.

 

“Crew helps us be a better version of ourselves,” shared a 5th-grade student during the credentialing process. 

Survey results echo this sentiment, with over 90% of students reporting that they feel accepted and supported within their learning communities.

 

“Simply put, this school and Crew feels like home,” said Priscilla Johnson, an instructional facilitator at Buckhorn Creek Elementary. “There is always someone willing to lend a helping hand, and everybody jumps in for Crew. When someone is falling behind and needs to be lifted up, they are always supported by someone - it could be a student, a staff member, a community partner, or a friend.” 

 

Rigorous Learning Meets Reflection and Inclusion

The school’s instructional model promotes deep engagement, data-driven decision-making, and collaborative planning. Teachers and students routinely examine the student’s work, going over their data together. Simons said his teachers are always pivoting, looking for ways to adjust lessons to meet the needs of all learners—ensuring that academic excellence is accessible to every child.

 

“Our teachers are elated that we earned this credential, but they’re already thinking about how do we take this a step deeper? We have about 30 days of school left, and they’re digging into our assessment and feedback, making shifts on how to make their instruction even better.” 

 

Students are also active participants in their own growth, using rubrics and feedback routines to revise, reflect, and refine their work.

 

Celebrating Excellence and Looking Forward

Student achievement is visible and celebrated across the building, from Legacy Projects to classroom anchor charts that reflect deep thinking and pride. Buckhorn Creek’s commitment to quality has created a culture where “your work is not just for you—it’s for everyone,” as one student put it.

 

Now, as a credentialed school, Buckhorn Creek will join the EL Education national network of exemplary schools, with opportunities to attend leadership institutes, host seminars, and continue its path of innovation and excellence.

 

“This credential is not an endpoint—it’s a springboard,” said Simon. ‘The work of education is never done. We’re focused on launching our students into the world so that they can make an impact.”

 

Simon said it’s important that the school, staff, and community take the time to stop, pause, and celebrate their accomplishments. To celebrate they took a few minutes off of instruction and held a school wide bubble party out on the school’s grounds. 

 

For more information about EL Education and its Credentialed Schools, visit www.ELeducation.org/credential.