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’s a glance at the districts most immediately surrounding Colorado Springs.
Academy District 20
Location
Northern Colorado Springs, including Briargate, Black Forest, Gleneagle, Peregrine, U.S. Air Force Academy
Overview
» 22 Elementary schools, 7 Middle schools, 6 High schools, 2 Charter schools, 2 Online/hybrid programs, 1 Home school academy and 1 Preschool
» Total enrollment 2020-21: 25,711
State Ranking and Accolades(1)
» No. 9 out of 184 school districts in state accreditation rankings for 2019, earning the highest-level Accredited with Distinction
» No. 2 Best School Districts in Colorado Springs, No. 10 in Colorado by Niche.com
» The Classical Academy (TCA) ranked No. 3, Pine Creek No. 5, Air Academy No. 8, and Discovery Canyon No. 10 Best High Schools in Colorado Springs; TCA No. 27 and Pine Creek No. 52 in Colorado by U.S. News and World Report.
» John Irwin Schools of Excellence Awards 2019:(2) Academy International Elementary, Chinook Trail Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, TCA College Pathways, Woodmen-Roberts Elementary, Challenger Middle, Discovery Canyon Campus Middle, Foothills Elementary, Ranch Creek Elementary, TCA High, TCA Middle, Timberview Middle
» Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards 2019:(3) Discovery Canyon Campus Middle, Pioneer Elementary, Rockrimmon Elementary
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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 2020-21: 5,243
State Ranking and Accolades
» No. 3 out of 184 state school districts, rated the highest-level Accredited with Distinction
» No. 1 Best School Districts in Colorado and Colorado Springs by Niche.com
» Vanguard School ranked No. 1 and Cheyenne Mountain High School No. 22 in Best High Schools in Colorado Springs; Vangaurd No. 4 and Cheyenne Mountain High No. 25 in Colorado by U.S. News & World Report
» John Irwin Schools of Excellence Awards 2019: Broadmoor Elementary, Cheyenne Mountain Elementary, Cheyenne Mountain High, Cheyenne Mountain Junior High, Gold Camp Elementary, Vanguard School Middle, Vanguard School High
» Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards 2019: Broadmoor Elementary, Pinon Valley 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, 5 Alternative learning schools and programs
» Total enrollment 2020-21: 26,135
State Ranking and Accolades
» 159th, rated Accredited
» No. 2 Most Diverse School Districts Colorado and Colorado Springs by Niche.com. Palmer
» Coronado No. 16, Palmer No. 17 and Doherty No. 19 Best High Schools in Colorado Springs; Coronado No. 121 and Palmer No. 125 in Colorado by U.S. News & World Report
» John Irwin Schools of Excellence Awards 2019: Academy for Advanced and Creative Learning, Chipeta Elementary
» Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards 2019: Bristol Elementary, Buena Vista Elementary, CIVA Charter Academy, Columbia Elementary, Penrose Elementary
» Center of Excellence Awards 2019:(4) Edison 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
» 12 Elementary schools, 3 Middle schools, 3 High schools, 10 Charter schools, 2 Alternative schools, 1 College Prep school
» Total enrollment 2020-21: 23,984
State Ranking and Accolades
» Fastest growing district in Colorado
» No. 154, rated Accredited with Improvement Plan
» Sand Creek No. 30, Falcon No. 31 Best High Schools in Colorado Springs by U.S. News & World Report
» John Irwin Schools of Excellence Awards 2019: Pikes Peak Early College
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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 Alternative Learning center
» Total enrollment 2020-21: 8,227
State Ranking and Accolades
» No. 86, rated Accredited
» No. 4 Best School Districts in Colorado Springs by Niche.com
» Fountain-Fort Carson No. 18 Best High Schools in Colorado Springs and No. 129 in Colorado by U.S. News & World Report
» Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards 2019: Abrams Elementary, Weikel Elementary
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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, Online (K-12), Preschool
» Total enrollment 2020-21: 6,494
State Ranking and Accolades
» No. 11, rated Accredited with Distinction
» No. 2 Best School Districts in Colorado Springs, No. 9 in Colorado by Niche.com
» Palmer Ridge No. 4, Lewis-Palmer No. 6 Best High Schools in Colorado Springs, Palmer Ridge No. 29 and Lewis-Palmer No. 59 in Colorado by U.S. News & World Report
» John Irwin Schools of Excellence Awards 2019: Lewis Palmer Elementary, Prairie Winds Elementary
» Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards 2019: Prairie Crossing 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 Home-School Enrichment or Career and Technical
» Total enrollment 2020-21: 11,177
» Every qualifying graduate receives free tuition to Pikes Peak Community College through the Dakota Promise Scholarship.
State Ranking and Accolades
» No.99, rated Accredited
» Atlas Preparatory No. 7, Harrison No. 13, James Irwin Charter No. 9 Best High Schools in Colorado Springs; Atlas Prep. No. 60, James Irwin Charter No. 69 and Harrison No. 94 in Colorado by U.S. News & World Report
» Center of Excellence Awards 2019: Atlas Preparatory High, Atlas Preparatory Middle
» Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards 2019: Sand Creek International Elementary
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Manitou Springs District 14
Location
Manitou Springs, including Cascade, Green Mountain Falls, Cedar Heights
Overview
» 2 Elementary schools, 1 Middle school, 1 High school
» Total enrollment 2020-21: 1,345
State Ranking and Accolades
» No. 26, rated Accredited
» No. 5 Best School District in Colorado Springs by Niche.com
» Manitou Springs No. 15 Best High Schools in Colorado Springs and No. 108 in Colorado by U.S. News & World Report
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Widefield District 3
Location
Southeast of Colorado Springs, Security-Widefield
Overview
» 8 Elementary schools, 3 Junior highs, 3 High schools, including one alternative, 1 Pre-K-8 school, 1 Charter school, 2 Preschools
» Total enrollment 2020-21: 9,169
State Ranking and Accolades
» No. 124, rated Accredited
» No. 3 Most Diverse School Districts in Colorado by Niche.com
» Mesa Ridge No. 24, Widefield No. 26 Best High Schools in Colorado Springs by U.S. News & World Report
» Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards 2019: Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary
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Notes
1. State Rankings based on preliminary numbers for 2019 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.
2. 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.
3. The Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Awards are given by CDE to schools that demonstrate exceptional student growth.
4. Colorado Center of Excellence Awards are given by CDE to recognize public schools that enroll a student population with at least 75% at-risk pupils and that demonstrate the highest rates of student longitudinal growth.
