Needham Elementary Home

Inspiring students to be life-long learners.
girl looking at garden bed

About Us

We are the Needham Wildcats, and proud to be a walk-able, bike-able and friendly neighborhood school! We have two preschool classrooms and three classrooms for each of the grades kindergarten through fifth.
2 girls in STEM class
Where we’re located
Durango School District map
school building

Mission

Needham Elementary School is a community committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment that fosters mutual respect and academic excellence. We challenge students to make creative, meaningful, and reflective contributions, and to succeed with integrity. Our students are inspired to be life-long learners and to become at home in the world. 

School & District News

Future-Ready DSD: Planning together for the next generation

Future-Ready DSD: Planning for what’s ahead

DSD is planning for significant changes in enrollment, funding, facilities, and community needs. Future-Ready DSD brings the facts, planning work, current proposals, and opportunities for community input together in one place. Learn what’s shaping the future of our schools and how you can participate.
No school Sept. 21 - Professional Development Day for educators and staff

No school for students on Sept. 21

Monday, Sept. 21, is a Professional Development Day for faculty and staff, and there will be no school for students. Classes will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Board of Education Upcoming Meeting

School Board Regular Meeting is Tuesday

The DSD Board of Education will hold a Regular Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 5:30 p.m. at the Impact Career Innovation Center (2410 Main Ave., on the DHS campus). The public is welcome.
Infinite Campus Portal screenshot

Is your emergency contact info up to date? (Here's how to check)

Make sure your family doesn't miss critical alerts! Read our quick step-by-step guide to learn where to update your cell phone and email details directly, how to set your text and call preferences for snow days, and when to contact your school’s front office for assistance.
Yellow and black electric walkie stacker forklift with elevated vertical mast and extended forks on a plain white background.

Public online auction of surplus equipment

Looking for quality commercial equipment at auction pricing? DSD is offering several surplus items through a public online auction, including three Carrier WeatherMaster 10-ton cooling units and an Apollolift Full Electric Walkie Stacker forklift with a 2,200-pound lifting capacity.
Principal Alderton holding award

Principal's Message

Needham Elementary School is a community committed to providing a safe and nurturing environment that fosters mutual respect and academic excellence. We challenge students to make creative, meaningful, and reflective contributions, and to succeed with integrity. Our students are inspired to be life-long learners and to become at home in the world. 

Events

Engineer Mountain

Quality of Life

Durango is a beautiful place to live and work. It is located at 6,512 feet elevation in Southwest Colorado near the Four Corners region. Families who live here enjoy a historic steam train, ski resort, rivers, vibrant downtown, bike trails, sky-high “fourteener” mountains, and four distinct seasons with an average of 266 sunny days per year. We welcome new families and new staff members, and we offer excellent benefits and competitive salaries. 

Accessibility Statement

Durango School District is committed to ensuring our digital platforms are accessible to everyone, aligning with WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards and Colorado accessibility laws. If you encounter a barrier or need an alternative format, please contact us at [email protected] or (970) 247-5411.