What Military Families Need to Know about K-12 Schools in the Pikes Peak Region
The Pikes Peak region is home to 5 military installations: Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station (no family housing), Fort Carson, Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever Air Force Base and the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA).
There are more than 20 school districts in the Pikes Peak region, including several surrounding local military installations, and your home school will depend on where families choose to live. The home school districts that serve children living on each installation are as follows:
Fort Carson: Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8
Peterson AFB: Colorado Springs School District 11
Schriever AFB: Ellicott School District 22
USAFA: Academy School District 20
Open Enrollment/School Choice
Colorado is an Open Enrollment State (also called School Choice), which means that families can choose to enroll in a public school other than their designated neighborhood school, including a school in a different district.
Here is a map of school districts in the Pikes Peak region:
https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdeedserv/regionmap-pikespeak
Families must apply during a specified enrollment period to enroll in a non-neighborhood school. Open enrollment windows may start as early as January for the following school year; contact school districts as soon as possible. Each school district has its own criteria for school choice, including available space and other factors. School provided transportation may also not be available. Please note that if you have a child/children with special needs, school choice may not be an option.
Additional information on open enrollment/school choice can be found here:
https://schoolchoiceforkids.org/colorado-open-enrollment/
Because each school district has different requirements, please visit those districts for more details. Here is a link to Colorado school districts’ open enrollment information and requirements:
https://schoolchoiceforkids.org/colorado-school-district-open-enrollment-web-pages/
Please note that local address verification, such as a warranty deed, bill of sale or closing statement, rental agreement, military installation housing assignment, is required to enroll your child(ren) in school.
Other documents (bring copies to the district) you will need to enroll your child(ren) in school, include (but are not limited to):
- Birth certificate
- Immunization records
- Photo ID of parent or guardian
- Custody documentation, if applicable
- Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 documentation, if applicable
Again, please visit the school district’s website or contact the school district to determine required documentation.
Charter Schools
Charter schools are another tuition-free public school option for families in Colorado. Charter schools are independent public schools; each offers a unique curriculum, providing different options based on the student’s needs/interests. For more information on charter schools, including enrollment information, visit the Colorado League of Charter Schools (http://coloradoleague.org/)
School Liaison Offices
Because Colorado school information may be quite different from other communities, it is a good idea to utilize your school liaison officers who will have more information regarding the local school landscape. School liaison officers can help you navigate local information and resources. For more information:
Fort Carson: https://carson.armymwr.com/programs/school-support-services
Peterson AFB: https://www.21fss.com/about/airman-family-readiness/school-liaison-officer/
Schriever AFB: https://50fss.com/afrc/spouse-military-child/
USAFA: https://www.usafasupport.com/afrc-school-liaison.html
Exceptional Family Member Program
If your child has special needs, the Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) can assist with your child’s educational needs.
Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
All 50 states and the District of Columbia have signed and adopted the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. This compact, which applies only to public schools, is designed to address the challenges of military students transferring between school districts and states, including issues related to enrollment, placement, attendance, eligibility and graduation. Students covered by the compact:
- Active duty members of the uniformed services, including members of the National Guard and Reserve on active duty orders (Title 10)
- Members or veterans who are medically discharged or retired for one year
- Members who die on active duty, for a period of one year after death
- Uniformed members of the Commissioned Corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and United States Public Health Services (USPHS)
For more information, visit Military Interstate Children's Compact Commission (MIC3): http://www.mic3.net/index.html
Other Information and Resources