Montezuma-Cortez RE-1 School District students return to class Aug. 10 for the 2026-27 school year under a series of academic, staffing, safety and postsecondary preparation changes the district highlighted as a way to continue setting students up for success.
The first day of school is set for Aug. 10 across all campuses, with M-CHS sophomores, juniors and seniors starting on Aug. 11. On Aug. 10, only freshmen and Link crew leaders are required to attend the school day at M-CHS. The school day on the 10th will allow freshmen to become familiar with the campus, meet teachers, practice their schedules and more prior to the official start of school.
All high school students will kick off the first day of school together on Aug. 11 with a schoolwide welcome assembly, according to information to the district.
Elementary schools will implement the New Education System Instructional Model from Houston Independent School District this year. This model was described as a structured approach based on the framework of “I do, we do, you do.”
“This approach ensures students receive clear instruction, guided practice and opportunities to demonstrate independent understanding,” the district said.
M-CHS will welcome students with expanded concurrent enrollment options, a new Outdoor Education program, a College and Career Center and other supports created with the goal of better preparing students for college, careers and life outside of the walls of M-CHS, high school Principal Jennifer Boniface told The Journal.
The high school is also expanding its in-person concurrent enrollment offerings, increasing the number of college courses taught so students can earn college credits prior to graduating. A new Outdoor Education program will give students hands-on learning “that connect classroom instruction with the outdoors” while promoting leadership, teamwork and environmental stewardship. The goal is to continue expanding the program in the coming years, Boniface said.
Office spaces have been reorganized to create a College and Career Center that will serve as a place for students to explore careers and postsecondary options. Students will be able to meet with and learn from business leaders, military recruiters, college representatives, members of the community and more, allowing for increased opportunities for internships, job shadowing, college applications, scholarship assistance and career planning.
Additionally, M-CHS students will participate in a daily advisory session that is focused on Individual Career and Academic Planning, growing character, supporting the student’s academics and building relationships. Boniface said that once a week, students will join an advisory club they have selected to explore their personal interests, build connections and grow engagement while in school.
The high school library has also been transformed into a Student Support Center that will offer academic support, technology resources, tutoring and more.
The district added that it is increasing staffing with additional learning coaches and paraprofessional assistants. All staff received pay raises, including a starting teacher salary of $50,000 approved by voters through the recent mill levy.
In collaboration with the Cortez Police Department, the district is expanding school resource officer presence. The Memorandum of Understanding for this change was approved at the most recent Montezuma-Cortez school board meeting.
A full-time school resource officer will serve the high school and support Kemper Elementary, while a second school resource officer will serve the middle school and support Mesa Elementary. The district continues working with the Montezuma County Sheriff’s Office for deputy coverage at Lewis-Arriola and Pleasant View campuses.
Regular attendance remains a priority, and the district shared that it will transition from a quarter grading system to a six-week grading system that will allow for more timely communication with families on academic progress, attendance, behavior and interventions.
Free meals for all students continue under the Healthy School Meals for All program, with more scratch-cooking options and locally sourced food through a Local Food Program grant.
Back-to-School Night will be held at Kemper Elementary, Mesa Elementary and Lewis-Arriola Elementary on Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Beech Street Preschool’s will take place on Aug. 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Back-to-School Night at M-CHS is set for Aug. 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Families can meet teachers, counselors, administrators, coaches, club sponsors and partner programs while also touring the school, adjusting course selections and learning more about what is offered at the high school.
The middle school’s Back-to-School Night will be held after school has already started and will be held 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 13.
Sports physicals for the 2026-27 season cost $35 and are available at the School-Based Health Clinic, 418 S. Sligo St., and Walk-In Care Clinic, 1413 N. Mildred Road, the district said. Panther Stadium remains closed for school use from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday during the school year, with public access at the Second Street entrance before 7 a.m. and after 4 p.m.
Parents and guardians can download the free Montezuma-Cortez RE-1 app, which is available on Google Play and the Apple Store, for school news.
bduran@the-journal.com
