The greater Colorado Springs area is home to 17 public school districts, including many that consistently rank high on state performance and accountability measures. Colorado’s system of open enrollment allows residents to register their children outside their immediate district, space permitting, allowing Coloradans to find the school that best fits their child’s needs. Choice open enrollment periods vary by school district, with deadlines falling as early as January or February. Here are the districts most immediately surrounding Colorado Springs at a glance.
Cheyenne Mountain District 12
Location
Southwest Colorado Springs, including Broadmoor, Broadmoor Bluffs, Skyway
Overview
» 5 Elementary schools, 1 Middle school, 1 High school, 1 Preschool, 1 Charter school
» Total enrollment (2017-2018): 5,084
State Ranking and Accolades
» No. 1 in the state, rated Accredited with Distinction
» D-12 charter Vanguard School ranked 7th and Cheyenne Mountain High School 18th in Best High Schools in Colorado by U.S. News & World Report.
» Dr. Walt Cooper was selected as Colorado Superintendent of the Year for 2018 by the Colorado Association of School Executives.
» John Irwin Schools of Excellence Awards 2017: Broadmoor Elementary, Cheyenne Mountain Elementary, Cheyenne Mountain High, Cheyenne Mountain Junior High, Gold Camp Elementary, Vanguard School Elementary, Vanguard School High
» Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards (2017): Broadmoor Elementary, Cheyenne Mountain Elementary, Gold Camp Elementary
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Academy District 20
Location
Northern Colorado Springs, including Briargate, Black Forest, Gleneagle, Peregrine, U.S. Air Force Academy
Overview
» 22 Elementary schools, 8 Middle schools, 7 High schools, 5 Preschool, Summer school, Enrichment and Charter schools
» Total enrollment (2017-2018): 25,444
State Ranking and Accolades
» Ranked 9th out of 184 school districts in preliminary state accreditation rankings for 2018, earning the highest-level Accredited with Distinction.
» D-20 charter The Classical Academy (TCA) ranked 16th and Pine Creek High School 19th in Best High Schools in Colorado by U.S. News & World Report.
» John Irwin Schools of Excellence Awards 2017: 2 Academy International Elementary, Chinook Trail Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, TCA College Pathways, TCA High School, Woodmen-Roberts Elementary
» Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards (2017): Mountain View Elementary, Woodmen-Roberts Elementary
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Colorado Springs District 11
Location
Central Colorado Springs, including Academy Boulevard corridor, Downtown, Old Colorado City, Ivywild, Westside
Overview
» 33 Elementary schools, 9 Middle schools, 4 High schools, Preschools in most elementary schools, 6 Charter schools, 9 Alternative learning schools and programs
» Total enrollment (2017-2018): 26,751
State Ranking and Accolades
» 146th, rated Accredited
» John Irwin Schools of Excellence Awards 2017: Academy for Advanced and Creative Learning, Chipeta Elementary
» Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards (2017): Buena Vista Elementary, CIVA Charter Academy
» Center of Excellence Awards (2017): Carver Elementary, Edison Elementary, Henry Elementary
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Falcon District 49
Location
Eastern Colorado Springs, including Banning Lewis Ranch, Falcon and Powers Boulevard corridor south of Woodmen Road
Overview
» 11 Elementary schools, 3 Middle schools, 3 High schools, 8 Charter schools, 2 Alternative schools, 1 College Prep school
» Total enrollment (2017-2018): 21,078
State Ranking and Accolades
» 157th, rated Accredited
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Fountain-Fort Carson District 8
Location
Fountain and Fort Carson Army Base
Overview
» 8 Elementary schools, 2 Middle schools, 1 High school, 1 Preschool, 1 Learning center
» Total enrollment (2017-2018): 7,982
State Ranking and Accolades
» 95th, rated Accredited
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Lewis-Palmer District 38
Location
Monument, Woodmoor, Palmer Lake, northern Black Forest
Overview
» 5 Elementary schools, 2 Middle schools, 2 High schools, 1 Charter school (Pre-K-8), 1 Home-school enrichment academy, 1 Online (7-12)
» Total enrollment (2017-2018): 6,461
State Ranking and Accolades
» 10th, earning Accredited with Distinction
» John Irwin Schools of Excellence Awards 2017: Lewis Palmer High, Prairie Winds Elementary, Ray E. Kilmer Elementary
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Harrison District 2
Location
Southeast Springs, including S. Academy Boulevard-Hancock Expressway corridors
Overview
» 13 Elementary schools, 1 K-8 Community school, 3 Middle schools, 2 High schools, 5 Charter schools, 2 Academies: Home-School Enrichment and Career and Technical
» Total enrollment (2017-2018): 11,441
State Ranking and Accolades
» 97th, rated Accredited
» D-2 James Irwin Charter High School ranked No. 33 in Colorado Best High Schools by U.S. News & World Report.
» Center of Excellence Awards (2017): Fox Meadow Middle, Oak Creek Elementary, Sand Creek Elementary
» Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards (2017): Giberson Elementary
» John Irwin Schools of Excellence Awards 2017: Soaring Eagles Elementary
» National Blue Ribbon School: Wildflower Elementary
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Manitou Springs District 14
Location
Manitou Springs, Green Mountain Falls
Overview
» 2 Elementary schools, 1 Middle school, 1 High school
» Total enrollment (2017-2018): 1,361
State Ranking and Accolades
» 24th, rated Accredited with Distinction
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Widefield District 3
Location
Southeast of Colorado Springs, Security-Widefield
Overview
» 7 Elementary schools, 3 Junior highs, 3 High schools, including one alternative, 1 K-8 school » 1 Charter school, 2 Preschools
» Total enrollment (2017-2018): 9,258
State Ranking and Accolades
» 89th, rated Accredited
» Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards (2017): James Madison Charter Academy, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, Sproul Junior High
Learn More
Notes
- State Rankings based on preliminary numbers for 2018 Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Performance Framework Results, based on results of annual assessments in English, math and science; academic growth; and indicators of college- or career-readiness, such as graduation and dropout rates, average SAT scores and college matriculation.
- The John Irwin Awards of Excellence are given by CDE to schools that demonstrate exceptional academic achievement over time, earning. Exceeds Expectations ratings for performance in Math, English Language Arts and Science.
- The Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards are given by CDE to schools that demonstrate exceptional student growth.
- Colorado Center of Excellence Awards are given by CDE to recognize public schools that enroll a student population with at least 75 percent at-risk pupils and that demonstrate the highest rates of student longitudinal growth.
- The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program of the U.S. Department of Education recognizes public and private schools based on their overall academic excellence or their progress in closing achievement gaps among student subgroups.
