City: Colorado Springs, CO

Category: Education

Telephone: (719) 391-3000

Address: 1820 Main St.

Description: Widefield School District 3, informally called Widefield, also serves the residents of Security, portions of Fountain, Colorado Springs, and surrounding rural areas. The district encompasses 59 square miles and, because the Security/Widefield area is the largest unincorporated area in Colorado, the district takes on many of the functions normally provided by municipal governments. The district manages Widefield Community Education and Recreation Services, better known as the Community Center. In recent years, the Community Center provided a variety of community education and recreation activities for more than 56,000 people. The district also oversees the Security Public Library and has built trails and parks in the area.The district serves many military families as it lies close to Fort Carson. There are nine K–5 elementary schools, a K–5 charter school, three 6–8 junior high schools, two 9–12 high schools, and an alternative high school. There is also an online K–12 school and a preschool. District enrollment totals about 8,900 students. The district is a strong supporter of neighborhood schools while also offering the choice option.District-wide programs include full-day kindergarten at every elementary school, child care services for before and after care at all elementary schools, and gifted and talented programs. Widefield annually ranks first or second in Colorado in graduation rates for African-American students and in the upper third in Colorado in graduation rates for Hispanic students.