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

Top half of a clock that reads 2:12

Mondays are Early Release days

Mondays are Early Release days for all students. School ends one hour earlier. Please check your school's bell schedule on the Durango School District (DSD) Back to School Hub webpage for the Monday release time.
Durango School District Summer Bridge Summer Learning Program

Final Summer Bridge check-in ends Sept. 4

The final check-in for Summer Bridge is happening now. Students have until Friday, Sept. 4, to turn in their completed literacy and math books to their school's front office and be entered for the big end-of-summer raffle.
A teacher and a high school student converse at a table

Welcome back to a new school year

"I'm having all the feels today," said Aaron Schiff, special education teacher for Durango Big Picture High School (DBPHS). Same! That was true for all of us — families, students, and staff across our district — as we gathered together again on an exciting first day of school on Aug. 25.
Back to School Hub webpage: All the info you need to prepare for fall

Get ready for the upcoming school year: Visit DSD's Back to School Hub

School starts Tuesday, Aug. 25, and our 2026-27 Back to School Hub compiles all the essential information families need to get ready for the new school year. You’ll find details on enrollment, school start dates, supply lists, transportation options, bell schedules, and more.
No phones, no watches. Stay present. Stay connected.

DSD cell phone and smart watch policy

DSD's cell phone policy requires that cell phones and smart watches be put away during the school day or during classes, depending on grade level.
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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

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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. 
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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.