El Paso County Schools & Education
El Paso County, Colorado
School Score
7/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
73.9%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
73.9%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 83.1%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,813
National avg $13,239
State avg $7,447
School Score
7/100
Higher = better
State avg 36/100
State School Rank
#61
of 63 counties (1 = best)
Explore El Paso County across the ByCounty Network
Education Overview
About Schools in El Paso County, Colorado
A Diverse Network of 17 Districts
El Paso County features a vast educational landscape with 240 schools and a total enrollment exceeding 115,800 students. This complex system is managed by 17 different school districts, ranging from urban centers to rural outposts.
Balancing Growth with Resource Challenges
The graduation rate stands at 73.9%, while per-pupil spending of $5,813 is significantly lower than the national average of $13,000. These metrics contribute to a composite school score of 42.5 for the county.
Major Districts and Charter Options
Academy School District 20 and Colorado Springs District 11 are the largest, serving over 25,000 and 22,000 students respectively. Charter schools are highly prevalent, with 40 active charters representing nearly 17% of all schools.
City Schooling with Suburban Options
With 136 city-based schools, the average campus size is 487 students. The county hosts massive institutions like Fountain-Fort Carson High School, which enrolls over 2,000 students, alongside 40 alternative and charter paths.
Find Your Fit in Colorado Springs
The sheer variety of 17 districts allows families to find a specific educational niche, whether in a large city school or a smaller suburban charter. School quality is a major driver of the competitive El Paso County housing market.
School Overview
Total Schools
240
in El Paso County
Total Enrollment
115,810
students
School Districts
17
districts
Charter Schools
40
17% of total
School Type Breakdown
17 School Districts in El Paso County
Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an
El Paso County Colorado School District 49
Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E
Harrison School District No. 2 in the county of El Paso an
School District No. 3 in the county of El Paso and State of
Fountain School District No. 8 in the county of El Paso an
Lewis-Palmer Consolidated School District No. 38 in the co
Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12 in the county of E
Manitou Springs School District No. 14 in the county of El
Ellicott School District No. 22 in the county of El Paso a
240 Public Schools in El Paso County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fountain-Fort Carson High School | Fountain School District No. 8 in the county of El Paso an | 9–12 | High | 2,040 |
| The Classical Academy Charter | Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | KG–6 | Charter | 1,874 |
| Doherty High School | Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 9–12 | High | 1,832 |
| Pine Creek High School | Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 9–12 | High | 1,815 |
| Liberty High School | Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 9–12 | High | 1,647 |
| Banning Lewis Ranch Academy | El Paso County Colorado School District 49 | KG–12 | Charter | 1,600 |
| Vista Ridge High School | El Paso County Colorado School District 49 | 9–12 | High | 1,587 |
| Rampart High School | Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 9–12 | High | 1,454 |
| Palmer High School | Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 9–12 | High | 1,384 |
| Air Academy High School | Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an | 9–12 | High | 1,329 |
| Sand Creek High School | El Paso County Colorado School District 49 | 9–12 | High | 1,307 |
| Coronado High School | Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E | 9–12 | High | 1,305 |
| Mesa Ridge High School | School District No. 3 in the county of El Paso and State of | 9–12 | High | 1,269 |
| Falcon High School | El Paso County Colorado School District 49 | 9–12 | High | 1,248 |
| Cheyenne Mountain High School | Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12 in the county of E | 9–12 | High | 1,241 |
| Widefield High School | School District No. 3 in the county of El Paso and State of | 9–12 | High | 1,241 |
| Lewis-Palmer High School | Lewis-Palmer Consolidated School District No. 38 in the co | 9–12 | High | 1,181 |
| Harrison High School | Harrison School District No. 2 in the county of El Paso an | 9–12 | High | 1,179 |
| Rocky Mountain Classical Academy | El Paso County Colorado School District 49 | KG–8 | Charter | 1,132 |
| Palmer Ridge High School | Lewis-Palmer Consolidated School District No. 38 in the co | 9–12 | High | 1,094 |
Fountain School District No. 8 in the county of El Paso an
Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an
Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an
Academy School District No. 20 in the county of El Paso an
Colorado Springs School District No. 11 in the county of E
School District No. 3 in the county of El Paso and State of
Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12 in the county of E
School District No. 3 in the county of El Paso and State of
Lewis-Palmer Consolidated School District No. 38 in the co
Harrison School District No. 2 in the county of El Paso an
Lewis-Palmer Consolidated School District No. 38 in the co
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,813
State avg $7,447
Find Homes Near Top Schools
Browse homes in El Paso County filtered by school ratings on Zillow.
Search on Zillow →Find a Tutor in El Paso County
Connect with local and online tutors via Wyzant for personalized learning support.
Find a Tutor →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in El Paso County, Colorado — FAQ
What does the school system look like in El Paso County, Colorado?
El Paso County features a vast educational landscape with 240 schools and a total enrollment exceeding 115,800 students. This complex system is managed by 17 different school districts, ranging from urban centers to rural outposts.
How do schools in El Paso County perform academically?
The graduation rate stands at 73.9%, while per-pupil spending of $5,813 is significantly lower than the national average of $13,000. These metrics contribute to a composite school score of 42.5 for the county.
What are the major school districts in El Paso County, Colorado?
Academy School District 20 and Colorado Springs District 11 are the largest, serving over 25,000 and 22,000 students respectively. Charter schools are highly prevalent, with 40 active charters representing nearly 17% of all schools.
What is the school experience like in El Paso County?
With 136 city-based schools, the average campus size is 487 students. The county hosts massive institutions like Fountain-Fort Carson High School, which enrolls over 2,000 students, alongside 40 alternative and charter paths.
How can I find homes near good schools in El Paso County, Colorado?
The sheer variety of 17 districts allows families to find a specific educational niche, whether in a large city school or a smaller suburban charter. School quality is a major driver of the competitive El Paso County housing market.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.