Distrust, and Displacement in D51
Story By: Harumy Torres , Foodie Editor
Photos By: Megan Pierce
In May 2025, Scenic Elementary one of Grand Junction’s long-standing schools will shut its doors for good, displacing hundreds of students and more than 70 staff members. The closure is part of a district-wide consolidation plan tied to declining enrollment and poor infrastructure ratings. But for the Scenic community, the numbers don’t tell the full story.
While declining enrollment is a concern across the valley, Laura Rodriguez offers a different perspective. A Stanford University graduate with a degree in psychology and an emphasis in child development,She began working at El Centro De La Familia in January 2024.The center on Patterson currently runs eight classes, with two more set to open next year. Pre-K classrooms typically host 14 students with two to three instructors, while the largest classrooms accommodate up to 20 children.
“We haven’t seen a decrease in enrollment at all,” Rodriguez said. “In fact, we’ve [ El Centro De La Familia] had to keep adding classrooms to meet the growing demand from families.” El Centro now operates four facilities in Grand Junction and has expanded its services in recent years. As demand continues to grow, the center is actively seeking additional space.
Meanwhile, Scenic Elementary has been marked for closure. A recent facilities report assigned it an “F” rating in both building condition and educational adequacy. Compiled by a third-party engineering firm, the report became a key justification for the school board’s decision. Yet the closure comes despite Scenic receiving consistent high-growth awards and experiencing a 13% enrollment increase this year alone.
“This is the highest-performing school in the district,” said Dan Worth, a fifth-grade teacher who has taught at Scenic for 26 years. Scenic is ranked among the top elementary schools in Grand Junction and in the 10% of all elementary schools in Colorado based on test scores, with math and reading proficiency in the top 5% .
Worth is one of over 70 educators whose careers were thrown into limbo following the school board’s decision last November. While he has accepted a new position, many others are still searching. According to district data shared in recent work sessions, about one-third of displaced teachers remained unplaced as of March.
While teachers pack up their classrooms, the emotional toll on students is growing. One Scenic teacher, who requested anonymity, described how younger children have had to walk past their parents protesting outside. The sight has been distressing for many, and as teachers begin boxing up supplies, some students have become fearful that the school might shut down without warning. Despite reassurances, the physical cues of an ending school year boxes, empty shelves, tearful goodbyes are creating a lingering sense of instability.
Adding to the confusion, many families believe their teachers will follow them to whichever school they’re reassigned to but that’s not the case. With staffing decisions still in flux, there is no guarantee students will see familiar faces at their new schools. For children who have built trust and connection with their teachers, that realization is beginning to set in and it hurts.
Educators also worry the closure will have long-term impacts on students’ academic and social development. Many have attended Scenic since kindergarten and built deep bonds with classmates and teachers. Being relocated to unfamiliar environments may erode the consistency that once supported their growth.
The district says relocated students will be absorbed by neighboring schools, many of which already operate at 80% capacity. Superintendent Dr. Brian Hill has stated that the district aims to keep class sizes below 25-26 students, with many classes under 20, though this can vary depending on grade level and enrollment .
Despite these assurances, some parents remain concerned about the potential for increased class sizes, with fears that they could reach 30 students per class . The district has not provided detailed information on how it will manage class sizes in the receiving schools, contributing to the uncertainty and concern among families.
“We’re not solving overcrowding,” said Worth. “We’re just relocating it and putting it on schools that are already full.”
Frustrated by the lack of transparency, choice, and long-term planning, a group of Scenic parents has submitted a charter school application, backed by a national education nonprofit. Their goal is to preserve Scenic’s academic culture under a new name and outside district oversight.
Somerset Academy Scenic View is a proposed charter school being established in Grand Junction, following Scenic Elementary’s closure. The founding committee, originally five members, began the process in December. Their aim is to continue Scenic’s legacy of individualized learning and academic excellence.
The committee has partnered with Somerset Academy, a nationally recognized charter network with schools in Florida, Texas, Arizona, and Nevada. This would be Somerset’s first school in Colorado. It plans to maintain small class sizes and personalized education plans key elements of Scenic’s success.
The effort has not been without challenges. With tight deadlines, the committee hired an educational service provider (ESP) to manage HR, finance, and operations. The plan is to repurpose the existing Scenic Elementary building for the new school, creating a turnkey transition.
“There are two ways to approve a charter school,” said Brian Austin, one of the founding committee members. “One is through the district and the other is through the state.” Austin, whose children a fourth grader and a first grader currently attend Scenic, said he wants them to continue learning in a high-performing environment that values personal connection.
As of April 29, District 51 has scheduled a public meeting at R-5 High School on May 20 from 4–5 p.m. to gather input on the proposed charter. A formal capacity interview with the Somerset team is set for June 4. For displaced Scenic teachers, the charter could be a lifeline though funding levels and salary parity remain uncertain.
The district has not committed to giving educators extra time to set up new classrooms before the fall, further straining morale.
“Everything in a school should revolve around the connection between teachers and kids,” said Worth. “But right now, it doesn’t feel like that’s what matters most.”
As the school year draws to a close, Scenic Elementary is not going out quietly. Hallways once filled with artwork and student projects now echo with uncertainty. Teachers and parents are still holding out hope if not for a reversal, then for a rebirth.
“We’re expected to hand in our keys on May 22,” said Worth. “But no one has told us when—or if—we’ll get time to prepare our new classrooms. That’s not empathy. That’s erasure.”
For some, the transition to Somerset Academy Scenic View could represent a second chance. For others, it’s a painful reminder of how even a thriving public school can be torn apart by shifting policies. While the district looks ahead to broader consolidation, the Scenic community is left trying to preserve what made their school exceptional: tight-knit relationships, a culture of care, and a commitment to every child’s growth.
Scenic may be closing, but the values it fostered aren’t so easily boxed up and moved out. Whether through a charter school, future advocacy, or the memories carried by students and teachers, Scenic’s legacy is far from over.
#StayScenicStrong
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