Back in March 2007, I wrote a post entitled Douglas County Schools: Understanding the School Track Schedule. I wrote some others here and here on the same topic as well. That post in particular remains to be one of the most viewed on this site – even 3 years later. Visitors arrive on that post from all kinds of searches such as Douglas County track system, Highlands Ranch B Track, Douglas County Schools schedule, Colorado school track system and many others similar terms and phrases.
For those unfamiliar, the track system was arranged quite some time ago now to deal with the growing population, especially family & children, in Douglas County – it was an excellent solution during the years that Douglas County was one of the fastest growing counties in the nation. Basically the kids were divide into 4 tracks in a school – A B C & D and one track was always “off-track” (on vacation) while others were in. This allowed the elementary schools (did not pertain to middle & high schools) to house 25% more kids at any given time and a year round schedule led most tracks to be 9 weeks on & weeks off. It was such as successful program that other school districts followed suit such as some schools in the Cherry Creek School District.
Fast forward to the school year that is just ending and the next just beginning. Things have changed in Douglas County. Due to a variety of factors – some which may include slowed growth rates and budget cuts – many schools in Douglas County, Highlands Ranch in particular, are no longer – or will no longer be on the track system by next year. There are a few exceptions and you can see a full list on the Douglas County School District web site. These schools that are not on the track system will either be on a traditional / conventional school schedule or what is called a modified calendar. Here is a full look at the calendar for this year for both traditional and tracks.
I have heard mixed reviews from folks that have recently made a change or about to. Feelings range from very positive, generally from those enjoying a full summer off – to disappointment – some people have grown to love the year round schedule and have enjoyed vacationing at off peak times of year. Whatever the case may be, that’s where the track system stands today.
Douglas County School District covers Highlands Ranch, parts of Littleton, Lone Tree, Parker, Castle Rock, Castle Pines North, Castle Pines Village, Sedalia and Larkspur.
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Thanks for the profound explanation of the tracking system. I live in Germany and try to schedule a visit to my grandson living in your school district. That became a quite hard job.
I am glad it was helpful Juergen. Enjoy your visit!
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