| Douglas County School District

World Class Schools
Calendars
Personalized Learning
Health & Wellness
Student Records
Open Enrollment
Evaluations

Welcome to Douglas County’s premier school system ensuring student and parent choice in matching each child’s unique learning preferences to a multitude of World Class options. All of the district’s eighty-one schools deliver an exceptional 21^st Century education in order to guarantee our students are on track to be globally competitive upon graduation. Our motto, Learn today…Lead tomorrow, accurately represents the expectations we have for the students we teach.

Our community has told us -- reinforced by experts such as Tony Wagner, Yung Zhao, and Marc Prensky -- that they are looking for graduates who are creative, collaborative, think critically, and communicate effectively.

Our student outcomes are clearly articulated through a Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum, our schools are empowered to make programmatic decisions at the site level, and staff expertise drives the district’s initiatives.

Douglas County School District is committed to your success.

Helpful Links

Colorado Department of Education SchoolView
SIP Central

Process

Calendars are approved by the Board of Education as required under Colorado Revised Statutes. Schools then choose a calendar based on input from their school community and in collaboration with schools within their feeder. Currently, there are three calendars in use: Conventional, Split Fall Break Modified and Modified.

The Board of Education approved six calendar options for the 2016-2017 school year following consultation with the District Accountability Committee and Student Advisory Council. On November 18, 2015, the Board of Education approved the same six calendars for the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 school years. Those calendar options are posted on the right side of this page under Future Calendars.

2016-2017 School Year Calendars - Displayed by Feeder Area

Castle View HS Feeder Schools

CVHS Feeder Schools	School's choice:
Castle View High School	Conventional
Castle Rock Middle School	Conventional
Clear Sky Elementary	Modified
Larkspur Elementary	Conventional
Meadow View Elementary	Modified
Sedalia Elementary	Conventional
Soaring Hawk Elementary	Conventional

Chaparral HS Feeder Schools

CHS Feeder Schools	School's choice:
Chaparral High School	Conventional
Sierra Middle School	Conventional
Cherokee Trail Elementary	Split-Fall Break Modified
Mammoth Heights Elementary	Split-Fall Break Modified
Pine Grove Elementary	Split-Fall Break Modified
Pine Lane Elementary (North and South)	Split-Fall Break Modified
Prairie Crossing Elementary	Split-Fall Break Modified

Douglas County HS Feeder Schools

DCHS Feeder Schools	School's choice:
Douglas County High School	Conventional
Mesa Middle School	Conventional
Castle Rock Elementary	Conventional
Cherry Valley Elementary	Conventional
Flagstone Elementary	Conventional
Renaissance Magnet School	Modified
Rock Ridge Elementary	Conventional
Sage Canyon Elementary	Conventional
South Ridge Elementary	Conventional
Daniel C Oakes High School	DC Oakes Calendar

Highlands Ranch HS Feeder Schools

HRHS Feeder Schools	School's choice:
Highlands Ranch High School	Conventional
Cresthill Middle School	Conventional
Acres Green Elementary	Conventional
Arrowwood Elementary	Conventional
Cougar Run Elementary	Conventional
Eagle Academy (Night HS)	Eagle Academy Calendar
Eagle Ridge Elementary	Conventional
Fox Creek Elementary	Conventional
Lone Tree Elementary Magnet School	Conventional

Legend HS Feeder Schools

LHS Feeder Schools	School's choice:
Legend High School	Split-Fall Break Modified
Cimarron Middle School	Split-Fall Break Modified
Frontier Valley Elementary	Split-Fall Break Modified
Gold Rush Elementary	Split-Fall Break Modified
Iron Horse Elementary	Split-Fall Break Modified
Pioneer Elementary	Split-Fall Break Modified

Mountain Vista HS Feeder Schools

MVHS Feeder Schools	School's choice:
Mountain Vista High School	Conventional
Mountain Ridge Middle School	Conventional
Bear Canyon Elementary	Conventional
Copper Mesa Elementary	Conventional
Heritage Elementary	Conventional
Northridge Elementary	Conventional
Sand Creek Elementary	Conventional
Summit View Elementary	Conventional

Ponderosa HS Feeder Schools

PHS Feeder Schools	School's choice:
Ponderosa High School	Conventional
Sagewood Middle School	Conventional
Franktown Elementary	Conventional
Legacy Point Elementary	Conventional
Mountain View Elementary	Split-Fall Break Modified
Northeast Elementary	Split-Fall Break Modified

Rock Canyon HS Feeder Schools

RCHS Feeder Schools	School's choice:
Rock Canyon High School	Conventional
Rocky Heights Middle School	Conventional
Buffalo Ridge Elementary	Conventional
Redstone Elementary	Conventional
Timber Trail Elementary	Conventional
Wildcat Mountain Elementary	Conventional

ThunderRidge HS Feeder Schools

TRHS Feeder Schools/Programs	School's choice:
ThunderRidge High School	Conventional
Ranch View Middle School	Conventional
Coyote Creek Elementary	Conventional
Eldorado Elementary	Conventional
Plum Creek Academy	Conventional
Roxborough Primary/Intermediate Elementary	Conventional
Saddle Ranch Elementary	Conventional
Stone Mountain Elementary	Conventional
Trailblazer Elementary	Conventional

Charter Schools

Charter Schools	Calendar:
American Academy Charter School	16-17 AA Parker Calendar 16-17 Castle Pines Calendar
Academy Charter School	16-17 ACS Calendar
Aspen View Academy Charter School	16-17 AVA Calendar
Ben Franklin Academy Charter School	16-17 BFA Calendar
Challenge to Excellence Charter School	16-17 C2E Calendar
DC Montessori Charter School	16-17 DC Montessori Calendar
HOPE Online Co-Op	HOPE SY Calendar 16-17
North Star Academy Charter School	16-17 NSA Calendar
Parker Core Knowledge Charter School	16-17 PCK Calendar
Platte River Academy Charter School	16-17 PRA Calendar
Skyview Academy Charter School	16-17 SVA Calendar
STEM Middle/High Academy Charter School	16-17 STEM Calendar
World Compass Academy Charter School	16-17 WCA Calendar

Current Year 2016-2017 Color

Conventional
Modified
Split-Fall Break Modified
All Calendars - Comparison

Current Year 2016-2017 Black & White

Conventional
Modified
Split-Fall Break Modified

Future Calendars

2017-2018 SY
Conventional
Modified
Split Fall Break Modified
Late Start Conventional
After Labor Day Start Conventional
Track

2018-2019 SY
Conventional
Modified
Split Fall Break Modified
Late Start Conventional
After Labor Day Start Conventional
Track

Past Calendars

One-Fits-One Education

Douglas County School District is dedicated to supporting every student, ensuring that they have the resources and ability to find the educational pathway that best suits them, regardless of where they are in the continuum of service.

If your child requires more support, consider the following options:

Child Find

Special Education

Educational Programming (Gifted and Talented, ESL, Literacy, RtI)

Focusing on Our Kids’ Health—So They Can Focus on School

The well-being of our students is central to their capacity to learn, which is why our Health and Wellness department is dedicated to supporting our students and providing for their both their physical and mental needs.

We provide resources and assistance to address health challenges, so all students have an equal opportunity to meet their full academic potential.

Health & Wellness

More Information

Attendance Policy
Donations and Grants
Homebound Education
Medication Policy

Student Data and Information Services

Today, more than ever, our schools, students, parents, and leaders rely on the information that we gather about our students.

Student Data & Information Services, a division of DCSD’s Business Services Department, is responsible for ensuring the quality and security of the data gathered, archived and, at times, released from the student information system. We assist schools, parents, the community and departments regarding student registration information and we manage academic records pertaining to alumni and students who have withdrawn. Additionally, we ensure the accuracy of archival procedures pertaining to student records and releasing of student information.

Partnering With Parents in Selecting the Best Learning Environment for Each Student

We embrace school choice by offering a wide variety of pathways to learning, including: neighborhood schools, magnet, charter, online, home education, contract schools, and scholarships to private partner schools. We then empower families to find the best educational fit for their children.

Families who wish to enroll their student in a school other than their neighborhood school must complete an Open Enrollment application during one of two open enrollment periods DCSD offers annually.

New Kindergarten parents intending to enroll in their neighborhood school do not need to open enroll. Contact your neighborhood school for more details on Kindergarten registration details.

The Second Round of Open Enrollment is now closed

You may apply for up to four schools to open enroll.
First round open enrollment is not first-come, first-served; you have until January 5 to complete this process.
You can choose to receive a confirmation email after you request open enrollment
You can change your choices at any time until January 5.
Schools have until January 12 to offer you an open enrollment slot, based on space availability. You will receive an email from the school. You can also log back into the Open Enrollment Tool after January 12 to check your status.
You have until January 19 to accept an open enrollment offer from a school through the Open Enrollment Tool.
If your application is not accepted by any school, or you didn't accept your offer in time, you will automatically be placed on the second round open enrollment list, which runs from February 15 to June 15.
Second round open enrollment is "first come first serve" your student will be placed on the wait list behind those that are currently on the wait list from first round.
Schools will reach out to you after 2/15 as space becomes available.

DCSD Open Enrollment Windows

Round One: November 1 - January 5

Round One applications are accepted for the following school year on a space available basis. Waiting lists, which are prioritized according to Board of Education Policy JCA/JFB-R, will be created if the number of applicants exceeds space available at the requested school. NOTE: Round One applications are NOT "first come, first served," You may request open enrollment at any time up to January 5. Round One applications are granted on a space available basis.

If a student is not accepted at a school during the first round choice enrollment, the student will remain on the school’s prioritized waitlist and be carried over to the second round choice enrollment.

Round Two: February 15 - June 15

Applications during the second round are added to the prioritized round one list on a first-come, first-served basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive about Douglas County School District's Open Enrollment process.

Q: What is Open Enrollment, and who can apply?

A: District policy states that any student shall be allowed to attend any school of their choice for which they are eligible on a space available basis, subject to district policy. Here are links to the Open Enrollment policies:

Board File: JCA/JFB: ASSIGNMENT OF STUDENTS TO SCHOOLS, SCHOOL CHOICE AND OPEN ENROLLMENT

Board File: JCA/JFB-R: ASSIGNMENT OF STUDENTS TO SCHOOLS, SCHOOL CHOICE AND OPEN ENROLLMENT

The first round window is open from November 1 to January 5. The second window is open from February 15 to June 15. Open Enrollment applies to the following school year.

Q: How do I access Open Enrollment forms?

A: To access the Open Enrollment Tool locate the Open enrollment button on the district website. The button will go live and will appear on November 1.

Q: What is the difference between the two windows?

A: Applications filed with the district in the first window will be notified of the results (application accepted, denied, or put on the annual prioritized list) by January 12. Parents must then go in and accept those applications by January 19. Applicants not accepted during the first Open Enrollment period are automatically placed on the annual prioritized list and shall have priority over second round applicants.

Q: What is the annual prioritized list?

A: Where the number of eligible applicants exceeds the space available in a school, applications are prioritized by grade level according to the priorities set forth in district policy. The annual prioritized list is purged on October 1 of each year.

Q: How will I be notified about the status of my application?

A: Applications filed with the district in the first window will be notified of the result through the open enrollment tool as well as email by January 12. Applications submitted during round 2 may receive notification of status at any time between February 15 and June 15 depending on space availability at that school.

Q: How long is my application valid?

A: Your application is valid until wait lists are purged on October 1. You will need to reapply each year during the Open Enrollment period.

Q: How does the second window work?

A: Applications received during the second window are time stamped and processed on a “first come, first served” basis. However, First Round Open Enrollment applications that were not accepted during the first Open Enrollment period are automatically placed on the annual prioritized wait list and have priority over second round applicants.

Q: How many schools can I apply for in Open Enrollment?

A: You can apply for up to four schools.

Q: What about charter schools?

A: Charter schools are a bit different, in that each charter school may maintain a wait list per grade, depending on the space available, and conducts a lottery each year for available seats. The Open Enrollment time frames also apply to charter schools, but each charter has its own enrollment policy. Contact the charter school directly for more enrollment and lottery information.

Q: What is my school of Choice?

A: Your "school of choice" is the school your student attends based on acceptance of an Open Enrollment or charter school application. Your "Neighborhood" school is the school that you are assigned to based on your residence address.

Q: My student attends our neighborhood school. Do I need to open enroll to stay at this school? What if we move within the district?

A: No. Your student will be enrolled at the neighborhood school throughout the years that school serves. If you move within the district, you may also elect to stay at this neighborhood school by filing an "Intent to Remain" form with the neighborhood school, per district policy.

Q: My student was open enrolled at a school other than my neighborhood school. Now my student wants to transfer to our neighborhood school. Do I need to open enroll my student?

A: No. an open enrolled student at any level may always return to their neighborhood school by filing a Notice of Intent to Return form by Dec. 1 to return for second semester or Jan. 5th to return for the fall semester of the next school year.

Q: My student is currently open enrolled at an elementary school. If we want to attend our neighborhood middle school, do we need to open enroll in that middle school?

A: No. Elementary students will automatically be enrolled in your neighborhood middle school. Charter school students will need to file at that school an Intent to Return form. (Click Here for the Form.) If your student wants to attend a middle school other than your neighborhood middle school, you will need to open enroll in that other middle school.

Q: My student is currently open enrolled at a middle school. Do we need to open enroll in that middle school’s feeder high school?

A: No. Your student will automatically be enrolled in your feeder high school. If your student wants to attend a high school other than your feeder high school, you will need to open enroll in that other high school.

Q: My student is open enrolled at a middle school outside my feeder. Do we need to open enroll in our neighborhood high school?

A: No.Your middle schooler may attend your neighborhood high school by filing an "Intent to Return" form with that neighborhood high school. If your middle schooler wants to enroll in any high school other than that middle school’s feeder high school, or your neighborhood high school, you will need to Open Enroll.

Q: Can my student transfer to a different school during the school year?

A: Students may not change their assigned school during a school year or for the ensuing year after the Open Enrollment time period has expired unless they receive an approved administrative transfer. The student’s current school principal and the requested school principal must agree to the transfer.

Q: Can I open enroll my special education student?

A: Possibly. Requests from parents of special education students are reviewed in accordance with state and federal law. The student’s IEP will be reviewed by the school’s IEP team to determine whether the requested school can meet the student’s educational needs.

Q: We are new to the district, and moved here after the windows have closed. How does Open Enrollment work for new residents?

A: Families who move to Douglas County outside the Open Enrollment windows should fill out a New Student Choice Application. Contact your neighborhood school for the form. If the new student wishes to attend a school other than their neighborhood school, the New Student Choice Application should be submitted to the requested school. Applications are approved as soon as practicable if space is available. If no space is available, the student’s name can be added to the annual prioritized list.

Q: My student's middle school open enrollment application was accepted. Do I need to open enroll her for the feeder high school?

A: No. So long as your student wishes to attend the feeder high school, no Open Enrollment application or other form is required.

Q: Our open enrollment application was accepted. Do I need to open enroll my student each year at that same school?

A: No. Approved applications are valid throughout the grades served at that school.

Q: Is each child in a family required to apply for Open Enrollment?

A: Yes, the online application form must be completed for each child.

Q: What are the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) guidelines about transferring to another school?

A: Interscholastic eligibility may be affected if a student changes schools after the school year begins or if the student has practiced with a school team before the start of the school year. A student who transfers schools over the summer without a bona fide family move will have restricted eligibility for the first 50% of the regular season and may have varsity eligibility during the second 50% of the regular season. Additional information is available on the CHASAA website.

Q: What are the grounds for denying an Open Enrollment application?

A: An application will be denied if:

There is a lack of space or teaching staff;
The school does not offer appropriate or requested programs;
The school is not structured or equipped with the needed facilities for special needs;
The student does not meet eligibility criteria, such as age, prerequisites, etc.;
The student has already graduated from 12 grade or holds a GED;
The student has been expelled within the prior 12 months;
The student’s behavior was detrimental to health and safety in another district;
The student fails to comply with district immunization requirements

Q: Can I appeal a denial?

A: A parent can appeal an Open Enrollment denial by filing a statement of the grounds for appeal with the Director of Schools for that level within 5 school days of receipt of the principal’s decision. The Director’s decision will be communicated to the parent or guardian within 10 school days after receipt. The Director’s decision is not subject to appeal.

A: Yes, you may enroll in the neighborhood school associated with your new address. Enroll as soon as possible after your move by contacting that neighborhood school.

Q: Where can I get more information?

A: Contact the Choice Programming Coordinator, Kristin Schmidt, at kristin.schmidt[at]dcsdk12[dot]org, or call 303-387-9506.

Open Enrollment

*Click here for the Intent to Remain / Return Form

*Open enrollment begins November 1st, 2016 and ends on January 5th, 2017.

*Link to View Summary of Open Enrollment Policy Changes.

New Kindergarten parents intending to enroll in their neighborhood school do not need to open enroll. Contact your neighborhood school for more details on Kindergarten registration details.