Cañon City and its school district was recently cited in a Gates Family Foundation case study about transformational rural communities.

One out of every seven Colorado students attends public school in a rural district — in small communities where connections between local education, economic development, health, and the environment are undeniable. Rural areas of the state were hit hard by the Great Recession, and recovery in these places has been slower. Access to high-quality education can be a game changer, allowing local residents and systems to demonstrate resilience in the face of evolving economic and social challenges.

CASE STUDY: SUPPORTING RURAL COMMUNITIES’ ASPIRATIONS FOR STUDENTS BY BUILDING ON LOCAL ASSETS