(COLORADO) — The Common Sense Institute (CSI) is shedding light on school climate, student behavior, and academic performance across Colorado’s 21 largest school districts.
Three Southern Colorado districts, including Harrison District 2, were mentioned in the study over an array of potential problems, such as behavioral incidents. According to the study, Harrison 2 had the highest behavioral incident rate at 389 per 1,000 students. The average was 137.
D2 said while the study highlights data, it may not reflect D2 in the most favorable light and “does not tell the full story of how the district approaches student behavior and support.”
D2 is deeply committed to addressing the complex challenges our students bring with them to school. Our focus is not simply on counting referrals but on what happens after a referral is made. In D2, referrals are often the starting point for meaningful intervention — not punishment. They lead to restorative practices, family conferences, connections to our Student Success Centers, and referrals to both in-school and community mental health services.
Unlike in other environments where referrals may be solely punitive, in D2 they are most often a gateway to connection with a caring adult and needed support. It’s also important to note that many of the behaviors leading to referrals are not dangerous or extreme, as might be implied in the report.
District 2 Harrison Schools
The school district reported D2 ranks in the middle range for violent incidents across districts.
“We are working diligently to respond to behavior with a restorative and instructive lens. Last school year, half of all behavior incidents were resolved using restorative practices,” said D2. “Our students are noticing this shift. In our 2024-25 School Culture Survey, 89% of students in grades 3–5 and 80% in grades 6–12 reported feeling safe at school. Additionally, 89% of younger students and 83% of secondary students said their teachers respond appropriately when behavior issues arise in the classroom. At D2, we believe every behavior is an opportunity for growth, reflection, and connection — and we are investing in systems that help students succeed both in and out of the classroom.”
Another Colorado Springs area district, D11, landed in the second spot with a rate of 335 incidents per 1,000 students.
Pueblo City District 60 was also found to have one of the highest chronic absenteeism rates, with a 43% They also ranked at the top spot for marijuana violations, D11 landed in second place.
Findings in the study showed that districts with higher rates of behavioral incidents and chronic absences tend to perform worse on standardized tests.
“The findings are clear: school safety isn’t just about immediate well-being—it’s also a leading indicator of academic performance,” said Cole Anderson, CSI Deputy Director of Policy & Research and co-author of the report. “A disruptive environment impacts every student, and if we want to close achievement gaps, we have to take school culture seriously.”
FOX21 News has reached out to D11 and Pueblo School District 60, and will update this article with comments.
