The Colorado Department of Education announced its 2014 district and school performance results.
The state recognized 27 of its 178 districts with the Accredited with Distinction award.
In the KVNF listening area the Ouray, Telluride, Ridgway, and Hinsdale county school districts were given this honor.
Additionally, eight schools in the Mesa County Valley School District received awards.
In Delta County, the North Fork Community Montessori School, the Delta Academy of Applied Learning, and Paonia Elementary got the Governor’s Distinguished Improvement award.
KVNF’s Laura Palmisano spoke to Sam Cox, the principal of Paonia Elementary, about the honor.
In the interview, Cox discussed the school's performance and methods of instruction. He also talked about how Paonia Elementary is handling increased academic competition, declining enrollment and budget cuts.