BEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE COLORADO FRONT RANGE

If you’re looking to build a new home within a Colorado Front Range school district that promises a high-quality education for your children, here are a few to consider. These school districts are ranked based on numerous reviews and key statistics, such as state test scores, graduation rates, teacher quality, college readiness and more.

1. Cheyenne Mountain School District 12

Cheyenne Mountain School District is a top-rated public school district located in the southwest corner of Colorado Springs. Cheyenne has five elementary schools that offer kindergarten through sixth-grade education; one preschool; one junior high school for seventh- and eighth-graders; a high school; and a K12 charter school. Overall, there are about 5,200 students in the district, with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1. More than 85% of graduates go on to college, with many attending some of the most prestigious institutions in the nation. In particular, the Vanguard School is ranked fourth within Colorado, with a graduation rate of approximately 98%. Cheyenne Mountain School District is currently “accredited with distinction.”

2. Academy School District 20

Academy District 20, located in the northern part of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, has an enrollment of about 23,000 students spread across 39 individual schools. According to the website, Academy District 20 is a site/school-based district, meaning schools make the best decisions to support their communities. This allows their schools to offer unique programs and curriculum. Along with numerous distinguished academic programs—such as advancement via individual determination (AVID), career and technical education (CTE), language immersion, advanced placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) programs—the Academy District offers a variety of arts and athletics programs.

3. Lewis-Palmer School District 38

The Lewis-Palmer School District in El Paso County serves families in the Tri-Lakes communities of Monument, Palmer Lake and Woodmoor, as well as select areas of Colorado Springs. Lewis-Palmer, which also is “accredited with distinction” serves approximately 6,500 students at five elementary schools, one middle school and two high schools. The district also has a charter school for preschool through 10th-grade students. On average, the student to teacher ratio throughout the district is 19:1. Among the district’s many state and national accolades, it also is known for its various enrichment opportunities and acclaimed music, art and athletic programs.

4. Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8

The vision of Fountain-Fort Carson School District, which encompasses the southwestern area of El Paso County, is “to empower every student to thrive as a responsible, productive, and engaged citizen by inspiring life-long learning and civic engagement.” This above-average school district serves more than 8,000 students in the city of Fountain and on the Fort Carson army installation post. It is ranked highly for diversity, health and safety, and its variety of clubs and extracurricular activities. The student to teacher ratio is an average of 16:1.

5. Manitou Springs School District 14

Another one of the top districts in Colorado’s Front Range region is the Manitou Springs School District. Manitou Springs offers a healthy learning environment that is open and inviting. The district serves approximately 1,450 pre-kindergarten to 12th-grade students who reside in the communities of Manitou Springs, Cascade, Green Mountain Falls, Chipita Park and Cedar Heights. Additionally, about 400 students come to the district from other locations in El Paso and Teller counties. The driving ideals of Manitou Springs School District are “Relationship, Rigor and Opportunity.”

6. Peyton School District 23

Peyton School District—which is technically one rural campus that serves about 600 students ranging from preschool to 12th grade—is known for the quality of its teachers and the overall academic achievement of students. The district has three main school buildings, including the elementary school, junior-senior high school, and the career technical education facility, home to the Woods Manufacturing Program and Peyton Online Academy. Student-athletes will find great opportunities, although Peyton doesn’t offer the same range of non-sports-related clubs and activities as other area school districts. The average graduation rate is about 87% and the student to teacher ratio is approximately 14:1.

7. Colorado Springs School District 11

Colorado Springs School District, founded in 1872, is among the most diverse in the state. Of the 36 elementary schools within the district, Chipeta Elementary School and the Academy for Advanced and Creative Learning tend to rank the highest. The district also has 13 middle schools and 11 high schools.

8. Douglas County School District RE-1

Douglas County School District, the third-largest district in Colorado, serves students in the Castle Rock area through 89 Schools, including 18 charter schools and five alternatives schools. The district ranks high in terms of academics and college prep, with a graduation rate of 91.2% in 2020 and an average student to teacher ratio of 19:1. It is considered the second-best school district in Colorado when it comes to athletic programs, with a wide variety of other clubs, activities and programs offered as well.

9. Elbert School District 200

Although a relatively smaller district, Elbert School District maintains a standard of excellence for its roughly 250 students. With an 11:1 student-teacher ratio at the Elbert School, which offers preschool through 12th-grade education, children are able to get targeted instruction and plenty of face time with educators and administrators. As part of Colorado’s Safe2Tell initiative, Elbert also seeks to be a welcoming environment for all students.

Building a New Home in Colorado

When you’re selecting a neighborhood for your new custom home near Colorado Springs, you want to be sure the community, along with everything it has to offer, is a good fit for your family’s lifestyle and future goals. Once you have an idea where you want to build, Gowler Homes can help you purchase real estate or design a custom house. As a full-service design-build team, we can guide you through the whole process of choosing and purchasing land, developing customized plans and even selling your current home, creating a more seamless and enjoyable experience for you.