Pascual LeDoux Academy: First Tools Endorsed School

Denver Public Schools opened Pascual LeDoux Academy in Southwest Denver in 2013 to expand public access to preschool for 3 and 4-year-olds. The early education center now serves several hundred English and Spanish-speaking preschool children from communities across Denver, the district where Tools was first piloted more than thirty years ago.

All in on Tools

Pascual LeDoux Academy, which describes its classrooms as “happy places to learn to and grow,” proudly implements Tools of the Mind as its schoolwide curriculum and has embraced Tools in-person coaching model.

“Through the implementation of this curriculum, we have fostered a nurturing, safe environment for children, built strong relationships with parents and community partners, and provided exciting and challenging opportunities for all students. I truly believe in Tools of the Mind because it supports all of our students as they learn to self-regulate and develop their executive functioning and I absolutely love the joy for learning that it has created in our students and teachers!”
- Pascual LeDoux Academy Principal Sara Snyder-Poole in a letter to Academy families

Teachers and staff at the school are encouraged to go beyond required Tools training and participate in optional Tools Endorsement and Certification processes, which garner Tools educators recognition for mastery of Tools teaching. The number of Endorsed and Tools-certified teachers at Pascual LeDoux, combined with the school’s commitment to the Tools coaching model and its active use of student data to improve teaching practice has been striking. In recognition of the Academy’s efforts and success, Tools has identified it as a Center of Excellence and the first Tools Endorsed School.

A community celebration

The designation was celebrated with an event at the school that included families, school and district staff, and community members. Honored guests included Tools Co-founder Elena Bodrova and the sister of Pascual LeDoux, the school’s namesake, who dedicated his life to teaching and inspiring students in Denver Public Schools.

Congratulations to Pascual LeDoux Academy for becoming the very first Tools Endorsed School!

Watch Denver Public Schools’ video about Pascual LeDoux Academy and the Tools Endorsed School event below.