2026 Annual Report
Student Success: The Ultimate Return on Your DCSD Investment
Dear Douglas County Resident,
Thank you for your partnership with the Douglas County School District (DCSD). As good stewards of your hard earned dollars, it’s important that we provide you with transparent information about how we use taxpayer dollars to benefit kids; your return on investment as a taxpayer; and how your school district’s funding works. Throughout this high-level report, you will see just how much there is to be proud of in our school district. For example:
- DCSD is the top-scoring school district in the Denver/Metro area.
- DCSD is consistently narrowing the achievement gap for students in all sub-populations.
- DCSD has the highest graduation rate in the Denver/Metro area (93.6%!)
- DCSD has the lowest staff turnover rate in the Denver/Metro area (13%).
- The Class of 2025 earned more than $123 million in scholarships!
- In 2025, students and parents saved over $20 million in college expenses through DCSD’s concurrent enrollment partnerships and Advanced Placement course offerings.
- DCSD now offers 90 Career and Technical Education pathways, including the Trades, to our students.
- Our schools are consistently top-rated by families.
Every resident of Douglas County (whether you currently have children enrolled in our schools or not) is an important stakeholder in our school district. Thank you for supporting our students, teachers, and community. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email us.
Sincerely,
Erin Kane, Superintendent
Douglas County School District
Table of Contents
How Our Schools are Funded
Where Our Revenue Comes From
The Colorado School Finance Act determines the amount of total funding for each school district each year. That funding comes from a combination of local property tax dollars and state tax dollars. However, it is important to know that when the local share increases, the state share decreases.
Local Share vs State Share
Combined General Fund Expidentures
Where is the Money Spent?
Your Investments in Action
Thank you Douglas County for voting yes on past ballot initiatives that provide more funding to our schools. We are dedicated to ensuring that your dollars are being spent exactly as promised.
DID YOU KNOW?
DCSD is the Top Scoring District and has one of the lowest tax rates.
CMAS Rankings - Rankings by District
English Language Arts and Math Rankings
- Douglas County School District
- Littleton Public Schools
- Jefferson County School District
- Cherry Creek School District
- Adams 12 School District
DCSD By The Numbers
- 3rd Largest School District in Colorado
- 92 Schools
- 61,000 Students
- 7,600 Employees
- 3,660 Licensed Educators
- 90 Career and Technical Education Program Offerings (including trades)
2024 Bond Initiative
Bond Activity is Underway!
In 2025, we added an interactive map to the funding page of our website, where the public can go to see how each school is benefiting from the 2024 Bond. Learn more at https://bondmap.dcsdk12.org.
This year we broke ground on some exciting projects that are being funded by the 2024 Bond, including:
- Expansion of Sierra Middle School, which was built in 1975, (partial opening in August 2026 / full opening in August 2027).
- New Cosmetology program at Douglas County High School (opening in August 2026).
- New Automotive program at Highlands Ranch High School (opening in August 2026).
- Phase 2 of the DCSD Legacy Campus, (opening in August 2026) which will provide students with access to four additional pathways.
- Two new elementary schools - one in the RidgeGate area and one in Sterling Ranch (both opening in August 2027).
Explore the full bond plan and more: www.dcsdk12.org/funding
DID YOU KNOW?
DCSD’s Mill Bond Oversight Committee is made up of volunteers from our community.
Learn more: dcsdk12.org/mboc
2023 Mill Levy Override
Investing in Teachers and Staff Pay
Thank you to our taxpayers for investing in our school district via the 2023 Mill Levy Override.
Since the passage of the 2023 MLO, our community is seeing tangible results which are directly benefitting the children of Douglas County. For example:
- Academic scores and graduation rates continue to rise.
- Staff turnover continues to decrease.
DID YOU KNOW?
Even with these staff pay increases, we are not yet keeping up with inflation and cost of living.
Starting Teacher Pay:
The 2023 MLO enabled DCSD to increase average teacher pay by over $10,000. However, we are still lagging behind our neighboring school districts.
Investing in School Safety and Security
Funding from the 2023 Mill Levy Override helped further increase safety and security at each of our school buildings. Additional School Resource Officers and Campus Security Specialists are in place at each of our schools.
Growth & Decline Challenges
Douglas County School District spans 850 square miles and this creates unique challenges. We have new communities that are lacking easily accessible schools for their children. At the same time, we have older communities with more schools than we need. The children have grown and left the nest, while their parents have planted roots and continue to enjoy their home.
DCSD must find ways to responsibly consolidate schools where enrollment is declining, and construct new schools where the children are. Having schools in the right places, ultimately raises property values and benefits students.
It is our goal to ensure that every student in Douglas County has access to a comprehensive, well-rounded education with full staffing and resources.
Neighborhoods with Declining Enrollment
Effective in the 2026-2027 school year:
- Heritage Elementary and Summit View Elementary will become Mountain Peak Elementary.
- Saddle Ranch Elementary and Eldorado Elementary will become Golden Ridge Elementary.
- Acres Green Elementary and Fox Creek Elementary will become Silver Spruce Elementary.
Neighborhoods with Growing Enrollment
The 2024 Bond is funding construction of two new elementary schools in our fastest growing areas (RidgeGate and Sterling Ranch) which will open in August 2027.
Learn more at dcsdk12.org/about/growth-and-decline
DID YOU KNOW?
DCSD has the right number of schools, but in the wrong places.
Senior Gold Card Program
DCSD now offers a Senior Gold Card. This provides Douglas County residents aged 60 and over free admission to most DCSD home athletic events and most student fine-arts performances including plays, concerts and choir performances. Sign up at dcsdk12.org/goldcard
Strategic Plan
PURPOSE
By 2038, all DCSD graduates will be empowered to meet their future with competence, purpose, and optimism.
END STATEMENT
All students will develop the knowledge, skills, mindsets and dispositions needed to achieve their highest individual potential in a safe, accessible, thriving and welcoming learning environment.
FOUNDATIONAL COMMITMENT
Cultivate a culture and climate that strives for excellence and promotes hope and resiliency.
CORNERSTONE COMMITMENTS
- Academic Excellence
- Strategic Technology Integration
- Essential Mindsets and Behaviors
- Thriving Schools and Thriving Communities
- Future Ready Graduates
Class of 2025
“Through Advanced Placement and other college-level classes, my education has prepared me for the future by giving me a glimpse into the challenges presented in post-secondary education, while also providing me with the skills to effectively communicate with both teachers and peers.”
Ryan J.
Ponderosa High School
“DCSD has provided me with so many opportunities and enabled me to make connections and branch out in my interests. I’ve pursued various passions and learned what it means to be a leader.”
Isabella H.
Douglas County High School
“The district has done a great job of allowing me to feel prepared for the future. There’s a lot of opportunities presented - from classes, clubs, competitions, events and district personnel - that make it really easy to grow if you choose to take advantage of it.”
Siddhartha A.
Rock Canyon High School
“My coursework, teachers and extracurricular opportunities shaped my high school experience and catalyzed my interests in International Relations, preparing me for my college education and career. I have not only discovered my interests but my identity that I will carry with me throughout adulthood.”
Lucia P.
Castle View High School