Douglas Co. School District will close up to 3 Highlands Ranch elementary schools

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colorado. The Douglas County School District continued its discussion with parents about school consolidation Wednesday night, sharing a timeline for closing two to three Highlands Ranch elementary schools.

“We have a strange situation where we build schools in one area and consolidate schools in another,” said Brad Geiger, a member of the Douglas County School District Board of Education.

While communities like Sterling Ranch are thriving, families with young children are no longer moving to areas like Highlands Ranch, Geiger said. School district data shows that 10,484 students were enrolled in Highlands Ranch’s 18 elementary schools in 2014. But in 2028, that number is expected to fall to 6,476 students across 18 schools.

To address declining enrollment, the district is considering “pairing” up to six elementary schools at Highlands Ranch High School, Mountain Vista High School and ThunderRidge High School. In other words, three of these elementary schools will “absorb” three other schools nearby.

All 18 Highlands Ranch elementary schools are up for consideration.

Dozens of parents filled the Mountain Ridge High School Commons building Wednesday night to ask questions and learn more about the consolidation timeline.

Denver7

“I expect them to take a balanced approach. Don’t look at myopia or anything like that, but look more at the long term,” said Saddle Ranch Elementary School parent Demetri Preonas.

The DCSD Board of Education is expected to explain its criteria for consolidation in January 2025. The plan is to publish a list of schools for “pairing” in April 2025, with closures not expected to occur until fall 2026.

“One difference between us and Denver is that they will announce schools tomorrow, I think, and close them this spring. We have more time to prepare,” Geiger said.

Geiger said school performance would not be a factor to consider, but bus routes and building use would be considered.

To help schools that enroll students, DCSD will use $20 million of the recently passed $490 million bond to improve and maintain buildings, expand programs and address any other facility needs, Geiger said. Teachers at closing schools will also be guaranteed places in the new school, Geiger said.

The school district will hold two upcoming meetings to further communicate with parents:

• Virtual meeting on Tuesday, December 3rd from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Those interested in participating can register using this link.
• In-person meeting on Wednesday, December 11th from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Cresthill High School Library.