 Pikes Peak photograph by Tim Hertzog District Twenty's history goes back to a time of log schoolhouses on the wild Western frontier. While General William Jackson Palmer was busy building his sophisticated "little London" as a haven for wealthy Easterners, life due north of the town remained considerably less civilized. Stories abound of a settlers' schoolhouse on the banks of Monument Creek whose windows were frequently shattered by stray gunfire from the nearby stagecoach stop. In the early 1900s, the high altitude and dry climate of Colorado Springs gained international reputation as a cure for tuberculosis. The Modern Woodmen of America, a life insurance company, opened a massive TB sanitorium for afflicted employees in what came to be known as Woodmen Valley. The sanitorium's popularity necessitated a school in the valley, and thus was born Woodmen School and the official beginnings of School District Twenty. Meanwhile, a vibrant community was spawning a few miles east, in the dense pines of Black Forest. Residents of this community also schooled their own children until, as in Woodmen Valley, increased enrollment demanded that older children be bused to outlying districts. The solution to the educational needs of these two communities came in the form of the United States Air Force. In the early 1950s, it was decided that 18,000 acres of land along the northern foothills would become the site of the United States Air Force Academy, the nation's largest service academy. The 1957 consolidation of Woodmen Valley, Black Forest, and the Air Force Academy into School District Twenty was the result of a massive effort by parents, educators, state government, and the Air Force. Hence, the name Academy District Twenty and the successful liaison between a military facility and civilian public schools. District Twenty existed for over twenty years with one high school, one junior high, and a handful of elementaries. The decade of the 1980s brought the district's major building boom, with the addition of two high schools, two middle schools, and six elementary schools. Remarkably, from 1985-1990, District Twenty opened the doors of at least one new school each year! Throughout District Twenty's rich and varied history, a dedication to the dignity, worth, and education of each student has been steadfastly maintained. The district's two original elementaries, Woodmen-Roberts (named for Mrs. Bernice Roberts) and Edith Wolford Elementary, bear the names of influential educators who exemplified excellence from District Twenty's beginnings. For almost half a century, this tradition has been upheld by the District Twenty community of educators, administrators, and families. The original Black Forest School on Shoup Road still exists and is on the National Register of Historic Places for the State of Colorado. The initial Woodmen Sanitorium buildings on West Woodmen Road are a hub of activity for Mount St. Francis, a multiuse Catholic facility. District Twenty's Woodmen Center building stands on the site of the original Woodmen School. Schools: Currently, Academy District Twenty consists of five high schools, five middle schools, and eighteen elementary schools utilizing a K-5, 6-8, 9-12 grade level configuration. (District Twenty also has one Charter school.) The following information presents an overview of curriculum and programs offered in Academy District Twenty. Choice Schools: Academy District Twenty offers choice schools that are open to students throughout the district. Choice schools offer programs or opportunities that are different from neighborhood schools. Differences may include the school schedule or its curriculum focus. All choice schools offer comprehensive and full curriculum programs. Informational brochures and an eight-minute video about choice schools are available at the district office in Central Registry. Curriculum: District Twenty is recognized throughout the Pikes Peak Region for providing students with a strong basis in core academic subjects. (Colorado Department of Education Student Assessment) From science to Shakespeare, District Twenty students receive a firm foundation in the essential academic areas. Standardized test scores in the district remain consistently high, and each year District Twenty boasts a great many recipients of awards and scholarships among its graduates. Faculty members, as well, are frequently bestowed awards and are continually updating their credentials to provide students with the best possible education. Cocurricular Activities: District Twenty maintains a philosophy based on the importance of educating the whole person. Therefore, the district sponsors an abundance of activities designed to enhance and enrich the curriculum, providing a comprehensive education for all students. Music and physical education teachers are present in every District Twenty elementary school. At the high school level, complete programs are offered in all areas of the performing arts. Students can participate in a wide variety of intramural and interscholastic athletic activities. Academic programs, such as Odyssey of the Mind and National Honor Society, are offered along with career-oriented clubs including DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) and Future Business Leaders. Every school houses an up-to-date library/media and computer center. The district is continually redefining its technology programs to give students the latest in technological education. Whatever a student's area of interest, he or she will find an infinite number of ways to be stimulated and challenged in District Twenty schools. From award-winning bands and championship sports teams to classroom spelling bees and computer clubs, every student will be able to pursue a variety of avenues towards the goal of becoming a well-rounded citizen. Special Programs: The district provides complete special education and talented and gifted programs at all levels. Students are assessed and placed in these programs based on individual need. District Twenty complies with all state mandates regarding special and gifted education. The recent opening of the district's Aspen Valley High School offers an additional way to best meet the needs of students who may thrive in a more non-traditional setting. District Twenty students are provided Chapter I programs, D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), E.S.L. (English as a Second Language), and many other programs. District high schools offer Advanced Placement courses for qualified students. In addition, vocational and technical trades and cosmetology classes are provided through a joint agreement with Pikes Peak Community College. Special programs are an integral part of the District Twenty curriculum, designed to enhance education by offering students more options and assistance in educational areas. Meeting the individual needs of each student is a continually high priority in District Twenty. Partners in Education: District Twenty believes education is a partnership utilizing the talents of district personnel, students, parents, and the community. A myriad of opportunities exist for parents and patrons to volunteer their services, involvement that is welcomed and encouraged. At the district level, ongoing committees such as the Accountability Committee and Sounding Board are available. The district also frequently organizes short-term task forces to deal with specific issues. District committees and task forces usually consist of educators, parents, patrons, and often, students. The list of volunteer opportunities at the building level is endless. Parent/teacher organizations, classroom volunteers, enrichment classes, guest speakers, building committees, library aides, chaperones, and drivers are but a few. The district participates in the Grand Friends program encouraging senior citizens' involvement in local schools, in addition to a program allowing seniors, through volunteerism, to reduce a percentage of their school taxes. District Twenty promotes several cooperative corporate ventures, such as the Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration and an innovative elementary hands-on science program funded by Hewlett-Packard. Mentorship, apprenticeship, and journeyman programs in many career fields are always welcome. The district continues its longtime association with the Air Force Academy through a variety of interactive operations. Board of Education: The Board of Education is District Twenty's policy-making body, governing the educational and financial affairs of the district within the framework of state and federal law. The Board is composed of five citizens elected to serve overlapping terms of four years each. At the end of the term, a board member wishing to continue this unsalaried community service must be reelected to an additional four-year term. Voting for school board positions takes place on the November General Election ballot. The District Twenty Board of Education also includes a nonvoting member acting as a liaison with the United States Air Force Academy. This member is assigned through mutual agreement between the Air Force Academy and District Twenty. Board of Education meetings are held in the Central Administration Building and are open to the public. Philosophy Statement * Mission Statement From its rich history and unwavering tradition of excellence, Academy District Twenty anticipates an exciting future. Voters in the district have historically offered resounding support of needed bond issues and recently passed a referendum to build new facilities. As the north end of Colorado Springs continues to grow, so will District Twenty; yet it will remain steadfast in its overall goal of offering the finest possible education to the citizens of tomorrow. |
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