Q: What does the district do to ensure accountability?
A: In Colorado, it is a statutory requirement for every school district to have a District Advisory Committee (DAC), and every school to have a School Advisory Council (SAC). The DAC supports the work of School Advisory Councils, but also makes recommendations on accountability to the Board of Education. Membership in the DAC is comprised of a member from each school's School Advisory Council, along with at least one teacher, one school administrator and one business person. The purpose of the SAC is to provide opportunities for parents, staff, and community members to be involved in the planning and evaluation of the school’s instructional program, along with being a representative voice for the community. For more information, contact the School/Community Partnerships Office at 303-387-0129.

Q: What Advanced Placement courses are available in the district’s high schools?
A: Advanced Placement courses are available at all Douglas County high schools. For a list of specific course offerings, call your student’s high school.

Q: Does Douglas County have an International Baccalaureate program?
A: At present, Douglas County High School is the only school that offers an IB program. Students from other high schools can register for and attend IB classes at Douglas County High School. For more information, please call 303-387-1109.

ThunderRidge High School is undergoing an authorization process to offer an International Baccalaureate program and is expected to have the program in place for the 2009-2010 school year.

Q: Do all schools have sports teams?
A: All high schools offer a variety of competitive sports teams, as well as extracurricular programs. To find out a list of sports available at a particular school, you can call the school directly. School phone numbers can be found online at www.dcsdk12.org.

Q: Can I access the athletic registration paperwork online as well as from my school? (i.e.: sports physical forms etc.)
A: Yes. Departments>Learning Services>Athletics and Activities.

Q: How do I access high school sport schedules after business hours?
A: Visit www.highschoolsports.net for high school sports schedules.

Q: How do I contact the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA)?
A: Phone 303-344-5050; Internet Address: www.chsaa.org

Q: Does the district have behavior expectations for students who participate in sports?
A: Yes. A student and parent activities and athletics handbook is available and encompasses sporting behavior, training rules, fees, administrative procedures and much more. The handbook includes a pledge form for students to sign that requires them to understand the responsibilities and privileges of representing their high school in competitive events. There is also a list of 10 things students would like Douglas County spectators to know and practice. For an online copy of the handbook, go to www.dcsdk12.org. Select Departments>Learning Services>Athletics and Activities. To receive a printed copy, call the Athletics and Activities Office at 303-387-0095.

Q: What is a four-track, year-round calendar and how does it work?
A: Students are placed on one of four tracks: A, B, C or D. All siblings are placed on the same track. Each track is in session for nine weeks and off for three weeks so that at any one point in time, one track is not in session. The four tracks rotate throughout the school year. Teachers track in and out with their students.

Q: Why does Douglas County use a four-track, year-round calendar?
A: Since 1986, Douglas County has used a four-track calendar to effectively manage rapid growth without sacrificing high standards of excellence. The use of this calendar has allowed the school district to bond for the building of new schools without exceeding the limits on bonding capacity and the ability of taxpayers to support the growth. The year-round model is only used at the elementary level, and is now used in more than 20 buildings across the district. At this time, due to operational costs and community preference, the district is exploring a new prototypical design that would limit the need for more schools moving onto a year-round calendar in the future.

Q: Who decides if a school should be on a four-track calendar?
A: It is a collaborative decision between the principal and the school district’s Executive Director of Support Services, based on enrollment projections and capacity.

Q: Why aren’t middle schools and high schools on four-track schedules?
A: The 45/15 year-round schedule is difficult to implement at the middle school level and nearly impossible at the high school level due to the number of courses and electives offered. In the past, however, several Douglas County middle schools have operated on the year-round schedule due to capacity demands.

Q: How are families assigned to tracks?
A: Track assignments are based on space availability, with consideration given to the first choice of the family. All children in a family are kept on the same track. Decisions regarding track assignments are made by each individual school.

Q: Do families who have children in high school or middle school get preferential track assignments to match the conventional calendar?
A: No, everyone in this process has an equal chance. The calendars also change from year to year so that the track that matches well this year may not match in future years.

Q: What are my options if the four-track schedule does not work for my family?
A: There are many choices for parents in our area if you are willing to transport your child to a different school. (see Open Enrollment FAQs) Both Littleton and Cherry Creek schools are soliciting students for their schools between Arapahoe Road and County Line Road. Littleton Public Schools has initiated transporting students from select Highlands Ranch locations. No tuition is required since Colorado allows open enrollment across district lines. In addition, there are several charter schools that operate on a traditional calendar. (see Charter School FAQs)

Q: Will tracks be assigned by neighborhood?
A: No, tracks are assigned based on space availability in conjunction with parent requests.

Q: Can I request a track change?
A: Yes. Requests are dated upon receipt and accommodated as space becomes available up to the start of the school year.

Q: Can I find school calendars online?
A: Yes. From the front page of the district’s website, select District Information > Calendars and Maps.

Q: Which schools have conventional calendars and which have year-round calendars?
A: From the front page of the district website, select an option form the Our Schools navigation menu. You will have the option of choosing schools by calendar type.

Q: Our family is planning a trip next summer. When will next year’s calendar be available?
A: The district strives to make the following school year calendar available before fall break of the current school year. For additional information, you can contact the Learning Services Department, where calendars are generated, at 303-387-0088.

Q: What is a charter school?
A: A charter school is a public school operated by a group of parents, teachers and/or community members as a semi-autonomous school of choice within a school district. All charters are approved by the local Board of Education. The charter spells out the school goals, standards, education design, governance and operations. The degree of autonomy to be exercised by the charter school on such issues as personnel, curriculum and facilities is negotiated between the charter applicants and the local school district and reflected in the charter.

Q: Do I have to pay tuition at a charter school?
A: No. Charter schools are publicly funded, just like the district’s neighborhood schools.

Q: Can my child return to my neighborhood school at any time?
A: No. Students who wish to return to their neighborhood school must apply for open enrollment. (see Open Enrollment FAQ)

Q: How can I find out which schools offer before- and after-school, kindergarten enrichment, intersession and/or school break programs?
A: For a list of schools that provide programs, go to www.dcsdk12.org, select Departments > Business Services> School Age Childcare.

Q: Are these licensed programs?
A: Yes, we are licensed under Division of Child Care. We are required to comply with “Rules Regulating School-Age Child Care Centers.”

Q: How can I access information about tuition prices, hours of operation, activities provided, space available and other questions specific to an individual program?
A: Contact the childcare director at that site. Contact information is available on the district’s website as explained above.

Q: Why do some schools have programs and others do not?
A: This decision is made at the building level and is determined by space available, community need and available resources.

Q: Do parents have to pay for this service or is this a subsidized program?
A: Our programs are self-funded. Parent payments are our sole source of revenue, and programs are responsible for all operating expenses such as payroll, supplies, fees, transportation costs (field trips) and building rental and utilities.

Q: What are the eligibility requirements for participation in these programs?
A: Children must be five years of age, be enrolled at the school that is providing the services and comply with behavioral expectations. Parents must complete all enrollment and emergency information, communicate child’s physical, emotional and/or cognitive needs with the childcare director prior to first day of attendance, and comply with policies and procedures as indicated in the parent handbook.

Q: My child has special needs. May I access the program?
A: Yes. We operate in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. We provide reasonable accommodations, modifications and services in accordance with the needs of the child’s disability. Parents must communicate their child’s needs with the childcare director prior to first day of attendance so accommodations and support systems can be put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of all children.

Q: Does someone other than childcare director supervise these programs?
A: Yes. The building principal oversees the program at his/her school and the district’s childcare coordinator organizes and oversees all of the childcare programs. You can reach the childcare coordinator by calling 303-387-0201.

Q: Who do I contact for a year-end tax statement of childcare expenses?
A: Please contact the childcare director at the program your child attended.

Q: What curriculum is used in your schools?
A: Approved curriculum for math and literacy at the elementary level is posted on the district website at www.dcsdk12.org. Select Parent/sStudents> Curriculum & Instruction. For more details, or for further information regarding secondary-level curriculum, contact the appropriate school.

Q: Where can I find information on district standards?
A: Douglas County School District standards can be found online at www.dcsdk12.org by selecting Learnng Services>Curriculum>Standards and Checkpoints. 

Q: What is the ethnic breakdown of students in Douglas County schools?
A: Respecting human diversity is a core value of the Douglas County School District. The Multicultural Alliance, a broad-based committee that includes community members, works to promote positive attitudes toward diversity and the full inclusion of Douglas County students, staff and community in the education process. The following data is from the October 1, 2005 student enrollment count required by the state:

More statistical data on students and Douglas County School District can be found on the Colorado Department of Education website at www.cde.state.co.us.

Q: How do I find out information and locations of schools that have a preschool?
A: Preschool Link under Our Schools on home page.

Q: How do I register my child for preschool?
A: Preschool Link under Our Schools on home page.

Q: How will I know if my child was selected?
A: Registration is done through a lottery system. Openings are filled by a random, computerized selection system. No money is required at the time of registration. If selected through the lotter, a registration fee will then be collected. Notification letters will be sent to all families the last week in March.

Q: What is ESL?
A: English as a Second Language (ESL) is an instructional service provided for students who speak or are impacted by a language other than English at home. ESL is not Bilingual Education or translation. Students are instructed in English for the purpose of learning English. Other languages are not used during instruction.

Currently, 18 elementary schools have ESL programs in the Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock and Parker areas. To find a list of schools, go to www.dcsdk12.org and select District Information > Key Words > ESL. These schools provide ESL instruction to their home students and other schools in close proximity. Six middle schools and six high schools provide ESL programs, which include a custom schedule of ESL classes and mainstream classes. Currently 721 students in grades K-12 speak 40 different languages. The top four languages spoken by our students are Spanish, Korean, Russian and Chinese.

Q: Why does my child have to be tested for ESL?
A: According to the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the district is required by law to assess the oral, reading and writing English language proficiency level of all students whose Home Language Survey indicates a language other than English.

Q: What is sheltered instruction?
A: Sheltered instruction is instruction in the content areas that includes specific strategies and techniques specifically designed to help the English language learner succeed in the mainstream classroom. The sheltered instruction classroom combines language, literacy and content objectives, as well as being sensitive to socio-cultural awareness.

Q: How long will my child be in ESL?
A: This depends on the age of the student, background education, and English language level. Basic English communication may be achieved in one or two years, but Academic English proficiency takes longer. Academic Fluency can take 5-10 years. Academic English proficiency is what allows a second language learner to reach grade level status. NCLB expects each second language learner to become a grade level reader and writer before exiting the ESL program.

Q: Since there is no ESL program at our neighborhood school, will the district provide transportation if my child participates in the program at an ESL center school?
A: Yes. The district transportation department will provide a bus to pick up your child each morning and drop him/her off in the afternoon. Mid-day busing is not provided. If one sibling qualifies for ESL services, all children from that family are eligible to receive bus services to the ESL center school.

Q: Does the district offer adult ESL classes?
A: Yes, the district only offers beginning ESL classes for adults. For more information, please contact The Parent University at 303-387-0128 or the ESL Coordinator at 303-387-0193.

Q: How can I learn more about the ESL Program in Douglas County?
A: From www.dcsdk12.org, select District Information > Key Words > ESL. The overview is available in Spanish, as well as English.

Q: Are there district forms available in other languages? If so, which languages and forms?
A: Yes. The following forms and documents are available in Spanish, as well as English: ESL Program Overview, Behavior Expectations, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act, Free and Reduced Lunch application, immunization form, enrollment form and field trip forms.

Q: What is a feeder area?
A. Feeder areas refer to the system of elementary and middle schools that “feed into” the high school for that geographic area. Each feeder area has its own director of schools who oversees all the schools within that area. This contrasts with the former system, in which there were elementary, middle and high-school level directors.

Q: How many credits does a student need to graduate?
A: Students need 25.5 units in order to graduate from a Douglas County high school. For more information, go online to www.dcsdk12.org and select Parent or Student Central. You can also contact your student’s high school for more details. You may also download Graduation Requirements here: Policy IKF-R-2005 (68kb .pdf).

Q: Where can I learn more about home schooling my child?
A: Contact the Educational Options Coordinator at 303-387-0127. You may also listen to a recorded information line by calling 303-387-0004.

Q: Where to I send my letter of intent to home school?
A: A Home School Registration Form can be found online at www.dcsdk12.org. Select Departments>Learning Services>Directors of Schools> Home School to find more information and forms. The registration form should be mailed to: Douglas County School District, Options Coordinator, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104.

Q: Can my child attend any school within the district?
A: Open enrollment is provided on a space-available basis and takes place each year beginning in December through the 15th of January for the following school year.

Q: Where can I find more information on open enrollment, such as application forms, processes and which schools are accepting open enrollment?
A: You can find information on the district’s website at www.dcsdk12.org. Select Departments>Learning Services>School Improvement> Open Enrollment Information. Application forms are available online and at all schools during the open enrollment period.

Q: We are moving from another state/district. Will my child be behind or ahead of Douglas County students? How will I know?
A: Teachers in Douglas County are very adept at assessing new students quickly. We stress communication between you and your child’s teacher so you will know of any concerns within the first few weeks. E-mail and voice mail are available, which staff members check at least once each day.

Q: How do I enroll my child in Douglas County School District?
  A: Enrollment takes place at the school in which your child will attend. Contact the school directly to learn what you will need to bring to register your child. A list of schools and telephone numbers can be found online at www.dcsdk12.org. From the front page of the district website, select an option form the Our Schools navigation menu.

Q: How do I find out which school my child will attend?
  A: Call  the Student Records Office at 303-387-9377 or 303-387-9378. There is also a  24-hour hotline available at 303-387-0005 where you can leave a message. You  should receive a response within 24 hours of a business day. If possible, please  be prepared to provide the street address of the residence you are considering.

Q:  Where can I get a registration form?
  A: Registrationforms are available at all Douglas County schools or online at www.dcsdk12.orgby selecting Departments> Information & Technology >StudentRecords.

Q: What do I need in order to register my child in a  Douglas County school?
  A: A birth certificate, immunization records  and legal proof of residence, which might be a lease agreement, warranty deed,  deed of trust, tax notice, or purchase contract (temporary). Also, please provide  emergency phone numbers, if available.

Q: When does school start?
  A: For schools on a year-round  calendar, the school year begins just after the July 4th holiday, with the  school year ending usually in the third week of June the following year. Conventional  calendar schools begin around the middle of August and finish around the end  of May. Calendars can be found online at www.dcsdk12.org by selecting Calendars  and Maps from  the District Information menu.

Q: How do I register my child in a year-round school when school has already started?
  A: Registrations are accepted as soon as you move into the district and establish residency. We recommend that you register your child as soon as possible and set up communication between you and your child’s teacher so you will know of any concerns within the  first few weeks.

Q: What are Douglas County School District’s  entrance age requirements?
  A: A child may enter kindergarten if  he/she is five years on or before October 1 of the year of enrollment, consistent  with the current Colorado Department of Education pupil count date. A child  may be enrolled in first grade if he/she is six years of age on or before Oct  1 of the year of enrollment.
  Students who do not meet the entrance age requirement,  shall be accepted into the grade they have been attending upon moving into  the District. Official documentation from the previous school is required.

Q:  Is kindergarten mandatory in Colorado?
  A: While kindergarten is  not mandatory in Colorado, Douglas County’s Early Childhood programs for children  from birth to age eight provide a balanced curriculum for all areas of a child’s  development: cognitive, physical, social and emotional. Research and teacher  experience have led us to develop and implement programs where children learn  in active exploration throughout their early childhood years. We gained national  recognition when our kindergartens were the first public school program in  the nation accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young  Children.

Q: When do I register my kindergartner?
  A: Although  registrations can be accepted at any time, all schools set aside two weeks  at the end of January in which parents can register their kindergartners for  the next school year. Gathering the majority of registrations during this two-week  period enables the Human Resources Office to make sure we have the proper teachers  and staff hired for the following school year. Families who currently have  an elementary student in a year-round school are given priority during registration  in order to place siblings on the same track.

Q: What is the proper procedure to apply for specialized services concerning physically or developmentally disabled children?
A: The Instructional Support Services Department supports building-level administration and teams in producing high quality learning for students who need additional resources to be successful in the classroom. Decisions regarding characteristics of special education services (programming and placement) are made by a school IEP team, based on a comprehensive analysis of the students' individual learning needs in keeping with special education law. For more information, go to Departments> Learning Services>Instructional Support Services and select the individual programs. To learn how to apply for specialized services, call the Instructional Support Services Department at 303-387-0080.

Q: What is Child Find?
A: Child Find is a branch of the Special Services (special education) department. Funding for this service comes from the Individuals with Disabilities Act, (IDEA). The purpose of Child Find is to provide free developmental assessments and information to families with young children. Children who demonstrate significant developmental delays can receive early intervention services. Families can utilize Child Find to learn if their child's development is on track in the areas of speech, language, behavior, motor skills and learning.

Q: How do I decide if my child should be seen?
A: The most common concern that brings a family to Child Find is a question about their child's speech. Often, the child is late in talking or their speech is unclear. Parents want to know if they should be worried about these issues, seek intervention or if their child will outgrow the problem on their own. Many local preschools and day care centers refer families to Child Find. Sometimes, children have trouble with fine motor activities and consequently, avoid the paper and pencil activities in preschool. Concerns with behavior problems, such as hitting or biting will precipitate a referral to Child Find. Some children have a difficult time paying attention or have such a high activity level that parents worry about learning problems or hyperactivity. Parents often use the information they obtain form the Child Find team as a second appointment to help them make decisions.

Q: How do I schedule an appointment?
A: Call the main Child Find office at 303-387-0800 to schedule an appointment. There are Child Find offices in Castle Rock and Highlands Ranch. Parents calling Child Find will speak with a staff member who will gather preliminary information and schedule an appointment with a screening team. Materials will be mailed to you for you to complete at home and bring with you to your appointment.

Q: What if I am moving into Douglas County from another school district with an active Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) or IEP?
A: Children who have been identified as having significant developmental delays and have an active IFSP or IEP do not need to repeat the full evaluation process. Call the Child Find Office at 303- 387-0800 to make arrangements to mail or fax a copy of your child's IFSP or IEP.

Q: What is AYP and how is it measured?
A: Under the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001, states and school districts are required to make annual Adequate Yearly Progress determinations for districts and schools, respectively. The ultimate goal of AYP is to have all students proficient in reading and math by the year 2014. For more information, go to the Colorado Department of Education website at www.cde.state.co.us.

Q: Are Douglas County schools ranked and, if so, based on what criteria? Where will I find this information?
A: Schools are given rankings of Excellent, High, Average, Low or Unsatisfactory. The Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) exams are used to measure each school district’s effectiveness at delivering content standards in math, reading and writing in grades 3-10 and science in grade 8. For more information on how schools are ranked by the state, visit the Colorado Department of Education website at www.cde.state.co.us. This site will also provide a list of school rankings by district.

Q: How do I become a volunteer at my child’s school?
A: Volunteer applications are available in the main office at all schools. Please visit your neighborhood school, or call the School/Community Partnerships Office at 303-387-0129 to learn more about volunteering in Douglas County schools.

Q: What is the Senior Employment Program?
A: Established in 1989, this program provides an opportunity for property owners in Douglas County, 60 years of age or older, to work in the district and earn money to offset property taxes. The district budgets for up to 90 participants in a school year. Senior employees choose from a variety of opportunities, from working in the classroom and lunchroom, to helping out in administrative offices. For more information on how to become part of the Senior Employment Program, contact the Office of School/Community Partnerships at 303-387-0129.