Who We Are:

• Traut Core Knowledge School (TCKS) is an “option” elementary school of choice established within Poudre School District (PSD) by Board of Education decision in April 1993.  Two other schools, Lab School for Creative Learning and the Harris Bilingual School, were approved by the same Board of Education action.
• TCKS is a full three-track school, with a total capacity of 455 students in grades K-5.  TCKS also hosts an Early Childhood program.     

Our Vision and Mission: 

• Our vision is educational excellence in knowledge, skills, and character with strong parent-teacher-student partnerships.
• Our mission is to provide excellence and fairness in education for elementary school children.  Excellence in education means raising academic standards and achieving success for all students.  Fairness in education means providing equal opportunity to learn for all students.

Our Strategy:

To achieve our vision and mission, our parents, teachers, and students work together to promote these “five pillars,” built upon a foundation of choice, to define what TCKS stands for:

1. Core Knowledge Curriculum- A content-rich curriculum built upon the Core Knowledge Sequence.  We believe that both skills and knowledge are important, and that the best way to teach the necessary skills of reading, writing, and thinking is in the context of a rich, interesting, knowledge-based curriculum.  The knowledge is not an end in itself, but rather a means to the end goal of an excellent grasp of information and the ability to use that information thoughtfully.
2. Parent Partnership- At TCKS, our parents are fully involved in all aspects of the school, to the point of full partnership in the decision-making and operation of the school.  We believe that every child’s first and most important teachers are his or her parents, and that our school exists to supplement and support the learning that is started in the home.  Parent partnership attracts parent involvement, and TCKS has among the highest level of parent volunteer hours in the district. Also, parent participation correlates strongly with program success, as measured by student achievement.
3. Character Education- We believe that learning to act in a respectful and responsible way is crucial, and we have identified twelve character traits that we incorporate into our classroom instruction.  These are:  Respect, Responsibility, Citizenship, Self-control, Honesty, Patience, Kindness, Humility, Integrity, Perseverance, Cooperation, and an Appreciation of Individual Strengths and Cultural Backgrounds.  We teach these qualities as they fit naturally in the literature of the total curriculum being studied throughout the school day.
4. Student Responsibility for Learning-  Our students are key partners in our education goals, and will obtain the desired success as they recognize and accept their responsibility for their own learning.  There is a cost for our students to attend TCKS, and that is the requirement to behave, and to work—both in the classroom during work times as well as at home in completing their homework assignments.
5. Mature Literacy- Because reading is the most important skill for elementary students to learn, the development of literacy is a primary focus of our school.  Literacy skills begin with teaching our students to read (primary literacy) using a phonics first approach, and advancing to reading to learn and for enjoyment (“mature literacy”) through the use of excellent contemporary and classical literature.

Name:  Traut Core Knowledge School

School Colors:  Red, White and Blue

School Mascot: Wolverine

School Motto:  Never Give Up