Insights

✅ DCSD is the only school district in the Denver/metro area who is narrowing the achievement gap for all federally recognized sub-populations such as students with disabilites, minorities and multi-lingual learners.

✅ We have the lowest staff turnover rates compared to other school districts in the Denver metro area.

✅ We continue to rank #1 in academics in the Denver metro area.

Show your DCSD pride by displaying a "Proud to Be DCSD" window cling on your vehicle from the supply that your school recieved. Please take one and display it proudly on your vehicle (they're free for staff). Yes, there is an incentive..... As DCSD leadership visits schools, we will randomly select staff vehicles with the window cling to receive a special prize. Prizes will be delivered to your school's front office.

More information to come!

It seems crazy to talk about weather delays and closures when it's still 80 degrees outside! However, winter will be here before we know it.

Douglas County School District takes the safety of our students, staff, parents and community members seriously. Our district is huge - spanning approximately 850 square miles - and conditions can vary from one region to another.

Because many of our families and staff travel across the school district, any weather delay or closure will apply to the entire school district (unless otherwise indicated). Read more about how weather delays and closures are determined in DCSD.

Andrea Rietsch is one of the original Eagle Academy staff members. She is known as a compassionate leader to both the students she teaches and also her colleagues. Andrea's affectionate nickname given to her by the students exemplifies her dedication to making Eagle Academy more than just a place to learn.

I was adopted at six years old by the world's most amazing family. I arrived in America knowing only a few words of English: "Hi" and "French fries." I was lucky enough to have an extraordinary ELD teacher who did everything she could to help me express myself until I could acquire English, and in her classroom I discovered the power of learning. Learning is transformative, and helping students find their voice (like Ms. Rieger did for me) is still what inspires me to show up every day.

Outside of school, I like to sing, read, run/workout and spend time with my people. Learn more about Principal Jeena Templeton on our Principal Profiles page.

This summer, 46 teachers from 36 countries had the opportunity to tour CERN, the European laboratory for particle physics and one of the world’s leading scientific research laboratories, as part of the International High School Teacher Training program. Douglas County High School’s AP and IB Physics Teacher and Science Department Chair, Matt Leach, was one of those teachers.

One of the topics teachers learned about included Nobel-winning particle physics. “We are learning about topics we can bring back to our students to inspire the next generation of physicists and engineers,” said Leach.

CERN is one of the world's largest and most respected centers for scientific research. Physicists and engineers at CERN use the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments to study the basic constituents of matter - fundamental particles. The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) can be found at CERN and is the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator.

The DCSD Notebook podcast currently has seven episodes, including two podcast versions of Parent University.

Listen to ALL of the podcasts on DCSD Notebook here. You can also find The DCSD Notebook on your favorite podcast streaming app, such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and Amazon Music/Audible.

The evening of Tuesday, September 22, DCSD and The Foundation for Douglas County Schools hosted the first annual Community Resource Fair with over 30 nonprofit organizations. The event showcased the amazing work these organizations do for our community and offered students the chance to explore meaningful volunteer opportunities while building community connections.

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse & Gifted Series (CLD & Gifted Courses)

Three courses will be offered this year in the Fall and in the Spring. FAQ's and learn more.

Thank you to The Foundation for Douglas County Schools for once again sponsoring One Book One District, a vibrant celebration of literacy and community. Now in its fifth year, the One Book One District initiative continues to grow as a beloved, unifying event that fosters literacy, creativity and connection throughout our entire school community. Besides nurturing a love for reading, this program provides rich opportunities for cross-curricular instruction in areas such as language arts, science and both visual and literary arts. Last year, a total of 52 schools took part.

This year, the chosen book, To See an Owl by Matthew Cordell, will encourage exploration of habitats, ecosystems and the important values of perseverance and mentorship. Learn more here.

One Book One District Important Opportunities and Reminders

• Art & Poetry Contests: If your school is participating, please notify the DLMC of your student winner by October 20. We would like the opportunity to present all student work to the author in advance of the visit.

Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 7 at 5:00 p.m.

Board of Education meetings are held at 620 Wilcox St. Castle Rock, CO 80104

Watch live on YouTube or on Comcast Channel 54

Read past Board Meeting Summaries

From Tuesday, October 7 through Thursday, October 9, all 32 public colleges and universities in Colorado will waive their application fees, making it free for anyone to apply. Learn more.

Nominations for the 2026 Apple Awards close soon. Be sure to visit this webpage to submit your nomination(s) through October 20!

Wednesday, October 22

4:30 - 7:00 p.m.

Rock Canyon High School

Bring the entire family and discover the flavors fueling our schools. Taste new menu items, sample student favorites and see what's cooking in DCSD Nutrition Services.

Tuesday, October 23

6:30 - 8:00 p.m.

DCSD Legacy Campus

Register here

The EXPO will showcase the many Postsecondary Readiness opportunities available to our students, including Career and Technical Education (CTE), Concurrent Enrollment, Work-Based Learning experiences and 5th and 6th year programs. Students from across the district will share their experiences and how these programs are helping them prepare for future success.

Tours for Teachers, a program by the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, is designed to help educators bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world skills. Register here for the next tour on the topic of:

Construction, Transportation & Skilled Trades

• Tour Date: Thursday, October 30
• Locations: Centennial Airport & Wings Over the Rockies

By participating in these behind-the-scenes tours of local businesses and industries in Douglas County, teachers, administrators, counselors, and staff gain valuable insights into current workforce needs and career opportunities, allowing them to better prepare students for the future. Receive 10 hours of Continuing Education Credit per tour!

Brian Alex, Building Engineer, Coyote Creek Elementary

Emily Brady, Secondary English + Newspaper, Ponderosa High School

Angie Chesher, School Registrar, Iron Horse Elementary

Cole Damon, Math, Aviation, & Engineering Teacher, Highlands Ranch High School

Jennifer Di Capo, SSN Learning Specialist, Timber Trail Elementary

Dianne Fulwider, Speech Language Pathologist, Timber Trail Elementary School

Jen Hibbard, Coordinator- Individual Student Plan Software Program, Wilcox

Ryan Jones, Kitchen Manager, Iron Horse Elementary

Angela Kamman, High School College and Career Counselor, SkyView Academy

Nadene Klein, Science Teacher, Daniel C Oakes High School

Chris Lawson, Agile Product Owner, West Support Offices

Ben Lester, 5th Grade Teacher, Saddle Ranch Elementary

Nicole Mease, EA4- SSN, Northeast Elementary

Bruna Mendez, Regional Family & Cultural Liaison, Parker & Franktown

Alejandra Reyes, Learning Lab EA-IV, Timber Trail Elementary School

Amy Sharpless, ITS Technician I, Pine Grove Elementary

Krista Shinaut, Educational Assistant I, Frontier Valley Elementary

Kim Sigmon, Math Teacher, Ponderosa High School

Alison Smith, Professional Learning Specialist, Stone Mountain Elementary

Dan Wrona, Security Lead, Legacy Campus

Learn more about our Rock Stars and why they were nominated!