Douglas County School District: A Guide for Home Buyers

The Douglas County School District (DCSD) says it’s the third-largest district in Colorado, serving about 62,000 students from preschool through 12th grade.

By the district’s count, it has 89 schools: 45 elementary, 9 middle, 9 high, 6 alternative and 20 charter schools, plus 38 preschool locations.

I don’t rank or rate schools. To look at a school, use the district’s site and the Colorado Department of Education’s SchoolView data, and visit in person.

Open enrollment lets families apply to a DCSD school other than their neighborhood school. For the 2027–28 school year, the district lists these dates:

• First round: November 2, 2026 at 8 a.m. through December 1, 2026 at 4 p.m. It isn’t first-come, first-served; applications are ranked using preference points.
• Offers go out December 8, and families accept by December 15.
• Second round: January 22 through August 2, 2027.
• Intent-to-return forms are due January 5, 2027.
• Students new to the district need to finish admissions paperwork by January 11, 2027.

Charter schools run their own enrollment, which may include a lottery. Check each charter’s own site.

Dates can change, so check the district: DCSD open enrollment · About DCSD.