Meet the Principal

A Message From Our Principal

 

Welchester Families,

 

Welcome to a wonderful new school year at Welchester Elementary! Whether you are a returning family or joining our community for the very first time, I am absolutely thrilled to welcome you to the start of an incredible journey together. 

 

This community holds an incredibly special place in my heart. I have dedicated the past 20 years of my career to serving the students and families of Jeffco Public Schools, and I am incredibly proud that 12 of those years have been spent right here at Welchester. My journey in education has allowed me to see the magic of learning from almost every angle—having served as a classroom teacher, math and reading interventionist, instructional coach, dean of students, assistant principal, and principal. Every single one of these roles shaped my deep belief in supporting the learning and growth of the whole child.

 

What Makes Welchester a Hidden Gem

Welchester is a true gem in the Golden articulation area. What sets us apart is our beautifully diverse community and the deep level of academic differentiation we offer to meet every single student exactly where they are. 

 

As the only Title I school in Golden, we are uniquely positioned to leverage additional federal funding to directly benefit our families. These funds allow us to offer robust academic intervention resources, exciting field trips, and vibrant community events—all at a low cost or completely free. It also allows us to provide an incredible array of extracurricular activities; during the 2025–2026 school year alone, we were able to provide over 25 before- and after-school clubs!

 

Furthermore, we are proud to maintain small class sizes, ranging from just 16 to 23 students, ensuring your child receives the personalized attention they deserve.

 

Academic Excellence & Our Vibrant Community

 

Our intentional approach is paying off in huge ways. Our math and ELA growth scores continue to soar. If you look at the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) website, you will see that Welchester is continually rated as a "Performance" school—the highest plan type a school can receive in the state!

 

We believe our academic success is amplified by the rich, multicultural environment our students experience every day. Our student body proudly reflects the following demographics:

• White: ~52–54%
• Hispanic: ~34%
• African American: ~5%
• Multiracial: ~4–5%
• Asian / Pacific Islander: ~1–2%
• Native American: ~1%

 

Driven by Our Values

Everything we do is anchored by our 5 Core Values, which tie directly to our daily mission for every single child: Learn. Grow. Belong.

• Student-Driven: Our kids are at the center of every decision we make.
• Collaboration: We work together—staff, students, and families—because we are stronger as a team.
• Adaptability: We embrace growth, meet challenges head-on, and evolve to meet the needs of our learners.
• Compassion: We lead with kindness, empathy, and understanding for one another.
• Fun: We believe that joy and laughter are essential ingredients to a thriving school environment!

 

Education is a true partnership. Your involvement, communication, and support are vital to our students' success, and I look forward to working alongside you this year. Please keep an eye out for upcoming communications regarding classroom assignments and back-to-school events.

Thank you for trusting us with your children. Let’s make this an unforgettable year!

 

Warmly,

 

Jennine Tarpley

Principal, Welchester Elementary School

Jeffco Public Schools