Colorado Springs, CO – The Colorado Springs School District 11 is excited to announce the launch of the community engagement process for the Palmer High School renovation project. This pivotal initiative begins with the release of our first survey, designed to gather valuable input from our community. The survey will be open until September 20th.
Palmer High School, a cornerstone of Colorado Springs with its rich history and tradition, is embarking on a renovation that will honor its legacy while preparing it for the future. This project is a testament to our commitment to enhancing the school’s impact and ensuring it continues to serve as a vibrant educational hub.
Our design team for this renovation includes RTA Architects and NES Inc., both esteemed local firms with over 40 years of experience in Colorado Springs, bringing profound local insight. They are complemented by Perkins Eastman, which contributes national and specialized expertise in educational design and planning. This combination of local and national perspectives ensures a well-rounded and informed approach to the renovation.
The survey marks the beginning of our comprehensive engagement plan, which will also include workshops, town hall meetings, and focus groups. We are pleased to invite you to our first town hall, which will be held at Palmer High School on September 9th from 5-7 PM. This event will provide an opportunity for the community to discuss the renovation and share their input directly.
A steering committee of representative stakeholders will work closely with the design team throughout the renovation, ensuring that the project remains aligned with the community’s goals and values.
We invite everyone to participate and share their insights. Your feedback will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Palmer High School. To take the survey and stay updated on the project, please visit our website or use the QR code below.
Survey Link: https://tinyurl.com/PalmerHSSurvey
Together, let’s create a future for Palmer High School that celebrates its past and embraces new possibilities.
Links to videos:
Palmer High School Senior Back to School Go Pro Video
As The Colorado Springs School District 11 students embark on a new school year, the district proudly announces its participation in the University of Virginia Partnership for Leaders in Education (UVA-PLE), joining the 21st cohort of this transformative initiative. This partnership is a multi-year engagement that combines executive education with thought leadership to drive significant improvements in student outcomes. It uniquely harnesses the expertise of both the Darden School of Business and the School of Education and Human Development, reflecting the cross-functional, multi-disciplinary approach necessary to tackle the complex challenges facing public education today.
Through UVA-PLE, District 11 reinforces its commitment to high-quality instruction by investing in our instructors and leaders who are passionate about identifying innovative solutions to support our teachers and students. This initiative is another way that D11 is investing in our educators, ensuring they have the tools and knowledge to lead with excellence and make a meaningful impact on student success.
“We are thrilled to partner with the University of Virginia in this groundbreaking effort to elevate educational leadership in District 11,” said Michael Gaal, Superintendent of Colorado Springs School District 11. “This collaboration is about more than just improving leadership; it’s about fostering a culture of excellence that directly impacts our students' success. By working with experts from both the Darden School of Business and the School of Education and Human Development, we are equipping our leaders with the skills and insights they need to drive meaningful change in our classrooms. Our ultimate goal is to ensure every student in District 11 not only finds their excellence but also achieves it, through innovative strategies and dedicated support.”
District 11 is one of 17 districts across 10 states participating in the Summer 2024-Spring 2026 UVA-PLE cohort, including six other districts in Colorado. This initiative focuses on addressing enduring disparities in achievement, particularly those exacerbated by the pandemic, and helping districts make substantial gains in academic performance.
For more information, contact Jessica Wise, Executive Director of Engagement.
About District 11
The Colorado Springs School District 11 is reshaping public education, focusing on excellence, choice, and engagement to propel student achievement. With a commitment to high-quality instruction and educational opportunity, the district has expanded the vision of public education from K-12 to PreK-14, featuring 26 preschool sites and the D11 Promise, ensuring access to college for every high school graduate. Enhancing access to choice and programs that meet the unique needs of each family and student, District 11 values a parent's right to select their child's educational path and guarantees quality at every school type, from traditional schools and charters to innovation zones, online platforms, or homeschooling. The district recognizes its strength in community support, actively promoting parent partnerships and providing students with expanded opportunities through robust community collaborations. Experience the revitalization of public education with The Colorado Springs School District 11, truly giving education back to the public and ensuring our students find excellence through experience.
About the University of Virginia Partnership for Leaders in Education (UVA-PLE):
The UVA-PLE Core Partnership is the only remaining research-proven effort in the country supporting educators through leadership development, capacity building, and collective problem-solving. This unique initiative brings together the nationally recognized capabilities of UVA's Darden School of Business and the School of Education and Human Development, providing education leaders with the tools they need to create and sustain transformational change within their school systems.
Colorado Springs, CO – August 22, 2024 – The Colorado Springs School District 11 and Penrose Elementary are thrilled to invite you to a special event today, August 22, at 1 PM, where our enthusiastic 3rd graders will dive into the world of construction and safety improvements happening at their school. This exciting opportunity will showcase how Penrose Elementary is enhancing its safety and security measures, creating a more inviting yet secure environment for our students.
The eagerly anticipated upgrades focus on creating safe and welcoming entrances while maintaining the highest security standards. After navigating through some challenges with abatement questions, we are profoundly grateful to our dedicated partners who have supported us throughout this process, proving what a great community collaboration can achieve.
This event is part of District 11’s broader commitment to improving educational environments and investing in our schools without burdening taxpayers. The district is channeling $100 million into William J. Palmer High School, alongside $30 million for extensive HVAC and safety enhancements across multiple schools, including Penrose Elementary.
Our construction partner, Adolphson and Peterson, will lead the 3rd graders through a fun and informative tour of the construction site. Equipped with 50 hard hats, the students will be divided into groups to learn about various trades and the unique aspects of this particular project. This initiative aligns with District 11’s "Expose, Explore, Experience" career education program, which aims to introduce elementary students to real-world career possibilities through engaging, hands-on learning.
Join us in celebrating this milestone and see firsthand how we integrate career and future planning into education to inspire and prepare our students. This event underscores District 11’s commitment to providing excellence in every experience, and we are excited to share this special day with our community.
Event Details:
- Date: August 22, 2024
- Time: 1 PM
- Location: Penrose Elementary School, Colorado Springs School District 11
The Doherty High School Athletic Department in The Colorado Springs School District 11 is hosting the 13th annual Doherty Never Alone Foundation 5k benefit run in conjunction with a high school cross-country scrimmage of several local teams on Saturday, August 17th at Monument Valley Park North located off of Culebra and Fontanero. The event begins with a high school scrimmage at 7:30 am followed by a benefit run for the Never Alone Foundation at 8:05 am. Doherty Athletics and the Doherty Cross Country team sponsor this event.
Thirteen years ago in July of 2011, the Colorado Springs and Doherty communities experienced a tragedy. Family physician and Doherty athletic team doctor, Dr. Alex Constantinides, lost his wife and three children in a flash flood in Wyoming. The tragedy that touched the Colorado Springs community rocked the Doherty community to its core. We quickly organized this event as a time for healing. Dr. Alex and his wife adopted their three children and dedicated their lives to giving to their community and sharing their lives with orphaned children. We feel we can most honor the memory of the Constantinides family through holding a benefit event for The Never Alone Foundation, founded in 2012 to honor Alex’s family’s legacy of supporting international adoption by giving grants that bridge financial gaps for adoptive families. The past 11 benefit runs have earned a total of over $45,000 in the Constantinides family name for those adopting children. This being our 13th running of the benefit run, we hope to top the $50,000 mark.
We are inviting runners and walkers of all ages to participate in our family/stroller-friendly benefit run. The public race pre-registration as well as race day registration cost is $40. All registered runners will receive a t-shirt.
You can register in the Doherty Business Office between the hours of 7:30 am and 3:30 pm. The event website is located at https://co.milesplit.com/meets/624838-doherty-high-school-scrimmage-and-never-alonefoundation-5k-2024
Register for the public fundraiser race at https://www.active.com/colorado-springs-co/running/distance-running-races/doherty-high-school-never-alonefoundation-5k-2024
The Doherty athletic department has embraced this event through their donations to the Never Alone Foundation and their participation in the 5k race, as each athletic team and many clubs at Doherty compete against each other for the honor of claiming the Doherty Spirit Stick and bragging rights for a year.
Location: Monument Valley Park, Colorado Springs
Date: Saturday, August 17, 2024
Time: 8:05 am benefit run
See attached.