Douglas County School District maintains its position as a leader in public education in Colorado, with many innovative programs and educational approaches. Support and coordination can be found at the District level, but each school has the flexibility to build its own instructional programs. Parents can find many different choices through the District such as open enrollment, charter schools, instruction for gifted and talented students, magnet schools, an International Baccalaureate program, Advanced Placement courses and other special programs. Our vision is to "create responsible citizens who contribute to society." We strive to maintain a well-researched, integrated and standards-based curriculum, a rich array of extracurricular offerings and strong community involvement.

Location

Douglas County spans much of the distance—870 square miles—between Denver and Colorado Springs. Its northern boundary is County Line Road; its southern boundary extends past the Town of Larkspur.

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.

Preparation for the Future

100% of DCSD graduates will be prepared for college, the work force and responsible citizenship. Students will possess strong academic skills; be prepared for the competitive global marketplace; acquire knowledge and skills to be Responsible Citizens; and utilize critical thinking, creative problem solving and leadership skills.

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 teacher with the latest advances in technology to enhance student learning. DCSD’s infrastructure is far behind other competing school districts. Additional funding is necessary to maintain and improve technology infrastructure.

School Calendars

All secondary schools (middle and high school) operate on a traditional or conventional calendar. In
Douglas County School District, some elementary schools operate on a 4-track, year-round calendar.
On a 4-track, year-round calendar, instead of a two-month summer break, students on a year-round
calendar attend school for nine weeks, followed by a three week break. Additionally, some elementary schools use a modified calendar, in additional the conventional schedules.

Keeping pace with growth

DCSD is the third largest school district in Colorado with more than 54,000 students. Projections show an additional 2,000+ new students are expected to enroll annually through 2011-12. That means, in the next 5 years, 10,000 additional are students expected, which would require the District to build the equivalent of an additional 1 high school of 2,000 students, 2 middle schools of 1,000 students each, and 9 elementary schools of 680 students each.

School designs save resources & improve learning environments. Natural lighting use, including the use of solar tubes and lighting controls, high performance boilers, and increased insulation save utility costs. The new elementary school design also incorporates “ice storage” which allows the building to be cooled efficiently during peak electrical times of the day. Use of artificial turf practice fields conserves more than 27 million gallons of water annually.