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  Citizens for Douglas County Schools

DCSD 2008-2009 Quick Facts

The Douglas County School District has a tradition of educational excellence that strives to put children first. Its vision is “to create responsible citizens who contribute to our society.”

Location

Douglas County School District (DCSD) is located between Denver and Colorado Springs and covers 870 square miles.

Schools

46 elementary schools
2 magnet schools
9 middle schools
9 high schools
8 charter schools
1 alternative high school
1 night high school
1 university center
34 Preschool locations
68 Preschool sessions (AM & PM)

Calendars

All secondary schools operate on a traditional or conventional calendar. Some elementary schools operate on a modified or 4-track year round. Instead of a two-month summer break, students on a year-round calendar attend school for nine weeks, followed by a three-week break.

  • 16 elementary schools are on year-round, track schedules
  • 19 elementary schools are on modified schedules
  • 13 elementary schools are on conventional schedules

Classroom Teachers (07-08 data)

Experience

Average years of experience: 11
Average years with Douglas County: 6
Percentage with master’s degrees: 64
Percentage with doctorates: 1

Staff

Certified staff: 3,457 (teachers)
Classified staff: 2,791
Administrators: 216
Professional: 70
Technical: 23

Student Enrollment

  • 53,982 (August 08 official count)
  • 54,000 (anticipated in 08-09)

Funding (07-08 data)

Per-pupil funding revenue (based on state formula): $6,646
Per-pupil operating revenue: $6,348

Preparation for the Future

100% of DCSD graduates will be prepared for college, and/or 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.

Career and Technology education to provide certification is available. Advanced learning options in the form of Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate courses, and Guaranteed Transfer courses to in-state universities are also available to prepare students for college.

Technology in the Classroom

DCSD’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 teachers with the latest advances in technology to enhance student learning.

More Choices for Families

Douglas County parents have more choices for their children in neighborhood schools and alternative offerings. Eight charter schools are available, as are the Lone Tree Elementary Magnet, Renaissance Expeditionary Learning/Outward Bound Magnet School and the Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning. Families also have the option to open enroll their students in any Douglas County neighborhood school if there is space available.

Volunteers

  • Each school has a part-time volunteer coordinator.
  • Over 16,000 parents and community members volunteer each year.
  • Volunteers contribute over half a million of hours this year in classrooms, libraries, school offices and school sponsored activities.

Class Sizes

The District strives to maintain average class sizes of 25 students per classroom teacher. We staff our schools according to the following ratios:

  • Grades K-3: 23
  • Grades 4-6: 26
  • Grades 7-8: 19.5
  • Grades 9-12: 20.5

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 require the District to build an additional 1 high school of 2000 students, 2 middle schools of 1000 students each, and 9 elementary schools of 680 students each.

Board of Education

The Board of Education is responsible for setting the over-arching Vision for the District. The Board-approved Vision for the Future lays the foundation for what the District is expected to accomplish. The Board’s Vision states: Graduates from Douglas County School District are responsible citizens who contribute to our society. For more information on Board meeting agendas and schedules, call 303.387.0258 or visit www.dcsdk12.org.

Academic Achievement

Students in DCSD continue to outpace the state average on the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP). Results show DCSD continues to exceed state averages in every subject tested. When comparing the percentage of students scoring at or above proficiency, DCSD students exceed the state average by 12-19 percentage points.

Conservation Minded

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 conserve more than 27 million gallons of water annually.