Questions about Old Colorado City schools (Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs: neighborhood, magnet school, safety)

[EscapeFromNebraska]

Hello, Colorado Springs! I am seriously considering making a move out to your area from Omaha. I have read many of the previous threads, which have been immensely informative, but I'm afraid I will still have many questions that I hope some of you will have answers for. This move won't be happening for a couple of years, or more, so I won't torture you with all of the questions at once!
From what I have read/researched so far, it looks like Old Colorado City would be the right part of town for my family. I haven't been able to find any specific info about schools for people in that neighborhood, just District 11 in general, and those usually say that it depends on your specific school.
My daughter is currently in 3rd grade, attending a public Magnet School (this may be like your Charter schools??), that specializes in math, technology, and Spanish. By the end of second grade, she was using a laptop computer everyday in class, she made her own podcast, and her class did power point presentations in groups. She attends a gifted program through the school, and is at the long division level in math.
How can I expect the schools in Old Colorado City to compare to what she has now (teacher opinions would be awesome!)? I love her school, but, unfortunately, it cuts off after 4th grade, when she is set to attend a middle school with heavy gang ties (a main reason for the planned move).
Thanks ahead of time for any help/advice!

[otowi]

Generally speaking, Old Colorado City would be West Middle School and Coronado High School. West Middle is an average school, Coronado is a high performing school. I'd say both are lacking in technology resources to do the same things she has been doing at her current school.

[EscapeFromNebraska]

Originally Posted by otowi

Generally speaking, Old Colorado City would be West Middle School and Coronado High School. West Middle is an average school, Coronado is a high performing school. I'd say both are lacking in technology resources to do the same things she has been doing at her current school.

Now we're getting somewhere! Thank you so much, that really helped me out. I was able to find some thorough info on Great Schools and the District 11 web page, now that I know what schools I'm looking for. Do you know anything about the safety at these schools? Is there a police presence, do they have gang problems, an overwhelming reputation for fights/bullying?

[otowi]

Safety is good at these schools. I know all the high schools in D11 have police officers, but I am not sure about the middle schools, although I believe there is some kind of police presence. West is actually now essentially a K-8 school as it is housing students from two closed elementary schools (downsizing). Gang problems - no, not really. You might find a few kids drawing gang art on their notebook paper now and then but in terms of actual gang activity it is very little, especially at school. There would be a little more of this at West than Coronado even though West kids feed into Coronado. The other main feeder school to Coronado is Holmes Middle School (right across the street from Coronado), which has an excellent reputation for academics. None has an overwhelming reputation for fights/bullying, but of course both do happen sometimes, unfortunately.

[bashep]

I would suggest going to www.greatschools.net , they offer scores for all schools. What their strengths are and also people can put their input on the website. I have found it very useful!

[EscapeFromNebraska]

Thanks for the help! Schools are one of my main concerns with moving, but it sounds like I have nothing to worry about. I'll be posting more questions soon!

[MMichelle]

Frankly, if you like Old Colorado City you will love Manitou Springs - if you can afford it. In Manitou Springs you will have Dist. 14 schools. VERY small school district and tight knit community. It would be worth checking out!