Public School Primer Video

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Location

Douglas County spans much of the distance—nearly 900 square miles—between Denver and Colorado Springs. Its northern boundary is County Line Road; its southern boundary extends past the Town of Larkspur.

Schools

Douglas County School District began the 2007-2008 school year with 44 elementary schools, eight high schools, seven middle schools, six charter schools, an alternative high school, an expeditionary learning/outward bound magnet school, an integrated thematic instruction magnet school, a night high school and 33 preschool sites. The University Center at Chaparral in Parker also offers students a unique opportunity to participate in college-level courses while attending high school.

Four new elementary schools will open their doors in the 2007-2008 school year – Mammoth Heights in Parker, Stone Mountain in Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree Magnet in Lone Tree, and Roxborough Intermediate in Littleton. In addition, construction has begun on Elementary #44 in Parker, Elementary #45 in Castle Rock, Middle School #8 in Castle Rock, and High School #9 in Parker.

Board of Education goals

As a policy governance district, the Board of Education is responsible for setting the over-arching vision for the district. Following a year of development and feedback, the Board of Education approved and adopted a key "End Statement" that lays the foundation for what the district is expected to accomplish. The Board's has developed the following:

1.0 Douglas County School District students acquire the knowledge and abilities to be responsible citizens who contribute to our society.
1.1 Students are able to think critically, using reason and logic when facing decisions about what to believe or do.
1.2 Students embrace universal ethical principles such as honesty, integrity and justice.
1.3 Students demonstrate the self-motivation and resourcefulness to continue their learning.
1.4 Students apply what they have learned. They go beyond merely knowing to using their knowledge and skills productively.
1.5 Students develop and demonstrate leadership skills. They are influential in creating a vision of what the future can be.
1.6 Students take ownership and accept responsibility for their wellbeing. Students have the knowledge, skills and ability to make educated choices concerning their social, emotional and physical health.

Setting standards for improved student achievement

In 1995, the Board of Education unanimously adopted academic standards in the subjects of language arts, math, science, geography and history.

Set II standards—health, music, physical education, art, civics, economics, foreign language and cross-content standards, which include information processing, thinking and reasoning, and careers—were adopted by the Board in 1997.

Performance pay for all employees

Douglas County has performance pay plans for all employee groups: teachers, classified staff (secretaries, nutrition services, operations and maintenance, etc.) and administrators. These cutting-edge plans are the most comprehensive and longest running in the nation. Their purpose is to reward, encourage and provide training opportunities for staff, which will ultimately benefit students.

Classroom Teacher Experience

Choices for families

Douglas County parents have choices for their children in a public school setting. Seven charter schools are available, as well as the Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning, which serves students from Douglas County and three other Metro-area school districts. The former Renaissance Charter school is now a magnet school offering Expeditionary Learning/Outward Bound instruction. The Discovery Program provides alternative education for gifted students. Neighborhood schools offer a wide range of innovative programs that foster academic achievement for all students. Families also have the option to open enroll their students in any Douglas County school if there is space available.

Volunteers make a difference

Douglas County School District students benefit greatly from a community that¿s engaged in the learning process. Each elementary, middle and high school in the district has a part-time volunteer coordinator. To date, 16,000 parents and community members provide almost a half million volunteer hours to district schools and administrative offices. These volunteers help the district provide the best education possible for our growing student population.

Technology in the classroom

Douglas County’s classrooms integrate tried and true educational approaches, including a wise use of technology that provides students with a foundation of skills for lifelong learning.

Professional development opportunities and an investment in current hardware and software combine to provide teacherswith the latest advances in technology to enhance student learning.

Enrollment and class size

Student enrollment has surpassed 46,000 for the 2005-2006 school year. The Long Range Planning Committee projects enrollment to continue to increase into the future. The district strives to maintain average class sizes of 26 students per classroom teacher. We staff our schools according to the following ratios:

Academic achievement

Douglas County students continue to outpace state performance in every grade and on every subject tested by the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP). In 2006, DCSD topped metro area schools in 20 out of 26 tests. In comparison to the percentage of students scoring at or above proficiency, Douglas County students exceed the state average by 12-21 percentage points. Compared to the district average from the four previous years, all grade levels show gains in math. Gains were also shown in writing and reading.

School Calendars

23 of Douglas County’s elementary schools operate on a year-round calendar; 2 elementary schools use a modified year-round calendar, and 16 are on conventional schedules.
Instead of a two-month summer break, students on a year-round calendar attend school for nine weeks, followed by a three-week break. All of Douglas County’s middle and high schools operate on a conventional calendar.