Telluride Elementary School develops the unique potential of the whole child through challenging experiences that build self-esteem and
skills for lifelong learning.
Telluride Elementary was built in 1895 to serve the growing population of Telluride. In May 1895, the present school site was purchased for $3,200 by the Board of Education. Construction of an eight room building began, utilizing bricks made at a local brickyard. Shortly before the opening of school, the building collapsed! Within a year, the Fall of 1896, the school was ready for occupancy, rebuilt at the cost of $24,000 using imported bricks. During the first school year, the School District employed six teachers at a salary of $80 per month each, and the principal, James McComb, was paid $125 a month. Six years later, in 1902, the belfry and bell were added, along with a four-room addition at the cost of $17,000. The school continued to serve the Telluride Community until its condemnation and sale in 1967.
In 1984, the School District re-acquired the property for use as a Kindergarten through fifth grade facility. In 1987, a $2.6 million renovation was completed. Every effort was made to preserve the historic integrity of the building. Original materials were used to enhance the school's Victorian flavor. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In the fall of 1998, voters passed a bond election to build a two-story addition with a gym, stage, and three classrooms. Completion of the annex was in the fall of 2000.
As more students entered Telluride schools, voters generously continued to support the growth of Telluride's schools by passing a bond election in the fall of 2003 to expand by building thirteen new classrooms including a satellite library and technology lab as well as an auditorium seating six hundred. Completion of the addtion became the Telluride Intermediate School and Palm Theatre in the summer of 2004. The Telluride Elementary School was reorganized to house Kindergarten through third grade.
The student population increase created the need for additional teachers at each grade level.
Telluride Elementary School currently serves PK-2, with 15 classrooms, 207 students, and 32 staff. We offer Dual Immersion Spanish/English classrooms in PreKindergarten, Kindergarten, and in 1st and 2nd grades. In addition to the core subjects of Literacy, Math, Science, and Social Studies, our students participate in PE, Art, Music, Library, and Technology classes. We also offer classes in English as a Second Language, Character Education, and Mindfulness. Student support programs include Special Education, Title 1, and Enrichment opportunities. Our students also have a wide range of after school activities to join, such as karate, dance, outdoor learning, and Spanish.
The Telluride Early Childhood Center (TECC), serving PreK students, hosts 28 students with 6 staff and is housed in the elementary annex.
In the fall of 2016, due to increased enrollment and lack of space, the 3rd grade moved to the Telluride Intermediate School and TES is now a PreK-2 primary education building.