Your Ultimate Guide to Colorado Springs Schools 2024

An overview of the Colorado Springs educational options, from preschool to college and everything in between.

Education matters in Colorado Springs. According to WalletHub, the City is the 17th Most Educated in the nation, and Colorado is the 5th Most Educated State.

If there’s one word to know about education in Colorado Springs, it’s choice. Statewide, parents and K-12 students can apply for admission into any public school in any district based on capacity, regardless of their ZIP code. Several of the area’s 17 public school districts rank among the highest on state performance and accountability measures. Families looking for a better fit for their students have wide-ranging options across public, private, and charter schools, plus home-school collectives.

Options include International Baccalaureate (IB) programs and curricula based on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), classical models, theater, foreign-language immersion, experiential learning, and more. Options continue into higher education with a full spectrum of colleges and universities, where students find various degree programs. From business and technology to medicine and healthcare, to research, athletics, the arts, continuing education and more, the innovative approaches and community integration of local colleges and universities enhance local life and develop a rising workforce for all.

Here’s an overview of the local educational landscape:

K-12 Public School Districts

The greater Colorado Springs area is home to 17 public school districts. Many consistently rank highly on state performance and accountability measures. Colorado’s open enrollment allows students to register outside their immediate district, space permitting, so Coloradans can find the school that best fits their child’s needs. Choice open enrollment periods vary by district with deadlines as early as January or February. Here’s a glance at the districts immediately surrounding Colorado Springs

Academy District 20

Where: Northern Colorado Springs, including Briargate, Black Forest, Gleneagle, Peregrine, U.S. Air Force Academy

Enrollment 2023-24: 26,050

State Ranking & Accolades:*

#10 out of 184 school districts in state accreditation rankings for 2023, earning Accredited with Distinction
#2 Best School Districts in Colorado Springs ,#6 in Colorado by Niche.com

asd20.org

Cheyenne Mountain District 12

Where: Southwest Colorado Springs, including Broadmoor, Broadmoor Bluffs, Skyway

Enrollment 2023-24: 3,663

State Ranking & Accolades:*

1st, rated Accredited with Distinction
#1 Best School Districts in Colorado Springs, #1 in Colorado by Niche.com

cmsd12.org

D11’s pathway courses in hospitality and culinary arts give students the foundation skills in restaurant and food services. Photo courtesy of Colorado Springs District 11.

Colorado Springs District 11

Where: Central Colorado Springs, including Academy Boulevard corridor, Downtown, Old Colorado City, Ivywild, Westside

Enrollment 2023-24: 23,359

State Ranking & Accolades:*

#130, rated Accredited with Improvement Plan
#6 Best School Districts in Colorado Springs, Niche.com
Every qualifying graduate receives free tuition to Pikes Peak State College

d11.org

District 49

Where: Eastern Colorado Springs, including Banning Lewis Ranch, Falcon and Powers Boulevard corridor south of Woodmen Road

Enrollment 2023-24: 24,766

State Ranking & Accolades:*

#137, rated Accredited with Improvement Plan
One of the fastest growing districts in the region

d49.org

Fountain-Fort Carson District 8

Where: Fountain and Fort Carson Army Base

Enrollment 2023-24: 8,303

State Ranking & Accolades:*

#108, rated Accredited with Improvement Plan
#5 Best Schol Districts in Colorado Springs by Niche.com
#6 Best Districts for Athletes in Colorado by Niche.com

ffc8.org

Students are practicing music at high school. Photo courtesy of Harrison School District 2.

Harrison District 2

Where: Southeast Colorado Springs, including S. Academy Boulevard-Hancock Expressway corridors

Enrollment 2023-24: 13,002

State Ranking & Accolades:*

#77, rated Accredited
#7 Best School Districts in Springs, Niche.com
Every qualifying graduate receives free tuition to Pikes Peak State College

hsd2.org

Lewis-Palmer District 38

Where: Monument, Woodmoor, Palmer Lake, northern Black Forest

Enrollment 2023-24: 6,526

State Ranking & Accolades:*

#6, rated Accredited with Distinction
#3 Best School Districts in Colorado Springs, #7 in Colorado by Niche.com

lewispalmer.org

Manitou Springs District 14

Where: Manitou Springs, including Cascade, Green Mountain Falls, Cedar Heights

Enrollment 2023-24: 1,329

State Ranking & Accolades:*

#24, rated Accredited
#4 Best School District in Colorado Springs by Niche.com
#23 Best Districts in Colorado by Niche.com

mssd14.org

Widefield District 3

Where: Southeast of Colorado Springs, Security Widefield

Enrollment 2023-24: 9,369

State Ranking & Accolades:*

#105, rated Accredited with Improvement Plan
#3 Most Diverse Districts in Colorado Springs by Niche.com

wsd13.org

*State Rankings based on 2023 Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Performance Framework Results, based on results of annual assessments in English, math and science; academic growth; an indication of college or career readiness, such as graduation and dropout rates, average SAT scores or college matriculation.

Students engage in hands-on learning at Catholic Schools of Colorado Springs. Photo courtesy of Catholic Schools of Colorado Springs.

Charter Schools

A charter school is a publicly funded, independent school established by teachers, parents or community groups under the terms of a written grant. El Paso County has more than 30 charter schools; many are recognized among the area’s best schools. Models range from classical curricula to specialized student groups or missions, such as gifted students or language immersion. Learn more at public school district websites and coloradoleague.org

Academy for Advanced & Creative Learning (D-11)

Gifted K-8 students learn in multi-age divisions rather than age-based grades. academyacl.org

Colorado Military Academy (Charter School Institute, D-11)

Emphasizing a high-tech STEM curriculum, moral character and military leadership development for K-12, the school has a plane for flight instruction. coloradomilitaryacademy.org

The Classical Academy (D-20)

The largest K-12 charter school in Colorado enrolls more than 3,800 students and features leading classical curricula. TCA ranks No. 2 in the Springs, No. 19 in Colorado High Schools by U.S. News & World Report.tcatitans.org

James Irwin Charter Schools (D-2)

The K-12 network serves nearly 2,000 students and prioritizes academics, scholarship and character development. jamesirwin.org

Thomas MacLaren School (Charter School Institute)

The K-12 school emphasizes rigorous academics and uniquely uses single-sex classes, original texts, and Socratic seminars in its upper school.

The Colorado Springs School offers engaging, unique programs for students. Photo courtesy of The Colorado Springs School.

Private Schools

There are approximately 36 private schools in El Paso County. Options and emphases include rigorous college prep, boarding, religious instruction—mostly Christian and Catholic—Montessori, outdoor education and more.

2024 Best Private Schools in the Springs

Fountain Valley School
The Colorado Springs School
St. Mary’s High School
Pikes Peak Christian
Evangelical Christian Academy
Colorado Springs Christian

*Rankings according to Niche.com

Colorado Springs Christian Schools

Between its Austin Bluffs and Woodland Park campuses, CSCS has nearly 750 students. It emphasizes excellent education from a Christ-centered, biblical perspective for lifelong service.

The Colorado Springs School

A college-prep, day and international school in the Broadmoor neighborhood, CSS serves approximately 330 students in grades Pre-K to 12. Its innovative curriculum is built around experiential, service and social and emotional learning on campus and afield.

Fountain Valley School of Colorado

This unique independent day and boarding school in Security-Widefield, Fountain Valley has about 240 high school students in grades nine through 12. Approximately 70% are boarding. The college preparatory curriculum is experiential and immersive on the 1,100-acre campus and beyond.

Pikes Peak Christian School

Founded by members of the Eastside Church of Christ, PPCS has approximately 380 students in preschool through grade 12. It offers a Bible-based education to develop the academic, social and spiritual potential of students.

St. Mary’s High School

Colorado Springs’ oldest Catholic school, St. Mary’s was founded in 1885. Today it serves 250-some students in grades nine through 12. Its college-pe=reparatory curriculum emphasizes scholarship and faith rooted in Catholic identity and Gospel values, including service.

Home Scool

Homeschooling is popular in the Pikes Peak region. Many public school districts and charter schools have enrichment programs and hybrid educational models that support parent-led education, including The Classical Academy’s Cottage School Program, District 49’s Falcon Home School Program and District 20’s Home School Academy. Some provide curricula. Most offer enrichment classes and extracurricular activities through one-day-a-week attendance on campus. Find state guidelines and resources at cde.state.co.us/choice/homeschool