The Douglas County School District, one of the fastest-growing districts in Colorado, has 14 schools in Castle Rock. With programs designed to engage students and involve parents, Douglas County schools strive to help students acquire skills to become responsible citizens.

Elementary and Middle Schools

Castle Rock's nine elementary schools and two middle schools give students many hands-on learning opportunities. With student-teacher ratios averaging around 17 to one, students receive plenty of individual instruction.

Denver's 5280 magazine recently named two of Castle Rock's elementary schools to its list of Top 10 Elementary Schools in the Denver area. Timber Trail Elementary is noted for its arts, music and PE curriculum, as well as its distinction as a three-time John Irwin award winner.

Flagstone Elementary was listed in part for its library collection of more than 10,000 books, extensive computer facilities and its online newspaper, to which students from first to sixth grade contribute on a regular basis.

The two middle schools in Castle Rock, Mesa Middle School and Castle Rock Middle School, both run on conventional schedules and include students in seventh and eighth grades.

Castle Rock Middle School, located on Meadows Boulevard, has approximately 1,400 students and combines both traditional and alternative teaching methods.

In the fall of 2008, Mesa Middle School opened in Founders Village. The 134,000-square-foot, two-story building accommodates up to 1,000 students and has an adjacent baseball field and a football field with gravel track.

High Schools

Castle Rock's two public high schools offer excellent academic programs as well as a variety of extracurricular activities.

Located on North Meadows Drive, Castle View High School features a different approach to the three Rs of education. With five academies of study to choose from — including two that focus on math/science/engineering and biotechnology/health sciences — this high school of more than 1,500 students is focused on preparing students for high-tech work in a personalized environment. CVHS also has a full range of sports and activities, and is most known for cheerleading, football and orchestra.

Douglas County High School is the oldest high school in the county and serves approximately 1,700 students. A rigorous academic program and a variety of activities prepare students for a future in college, vocational school, the military or the workforce.

With strong sports and arts departments, students have many choices when it comes to extracurricular activities. Options include field hockey, rock climbing, photography, sculpture and many others. DCHS also has eight vocational programs designed to prepare students for the workforce. These programs, which include agriculture/food science, technology and health care, cater to today's fastest-growing job markets.

Find more on what it's like to live in Castle Rock, CO.