Surrounded by Garden of the Gods with views of Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak, it's hard to find a district with more beautiful surroundings. It’s not just the incredible views you get outside that sets us apart, but rather a focus on relationships, deep learning, and opportunity. The Manitou Springs School District offers a small-town educational environment, providing hands-on learning and a support community to inspire lifelong learners.
Manitou Springs School District 14 serves approximately 1200 students from Preschool to 12th Grade who reside in the communities of Manitou Springs, Cascade, Green Mountain Falls, Chipita Park, Crystal Park, and Cedar Heights. We offer choice to nearly 600 students who come to our district from other locations in El Paso and Teller Counties.
- Small Schools. Experienced Staff.
- Committed, Visible, & Collaborative District and School Leadership.
- Financial Transparency.
- Engaging Educational Experiences Beyond the Traditional Classroom.
LEARN ABOUT OUR CAMPUSES
Ute Pass Elementary School create a truly unique experience for preschool through sixth grade students to explore, create, discover, and grow. Seated beautifully at the foot of Pikes Peak, Ute Pass Elementary takes environmental learning to the next level! Our amazing staff extends education far beyond the four walls of a classroom. Students at Ute Pass Elementary receive a challenging education and become active participants in their own learning. We believe in fostering an inclusive environment and creating a safe place for all students to find and use their voice.
How to Visit:
- Email Jackie Powell at [email protected] to schedule a time to tour the school.
- Primary Planting Party: Saturday, April 26th from 1-2:30 pm. Open to current and interested Pre-K through 2nd grade students and families.
- Meet the principal and visit nature stations, take home a plant, enjoy popsicles and participate in arts & crafts. This is FREE to attend! For more information, check out their Facebook Page
- Building Ute Pass Community Event: Super Hero Summer May 4th from 1-4pm at 9105 Chipita Park Rd. Meet UPES staff members and hear more about the great reasons to choose Ute Pass Elementary!
If you are interested in applying for the Mountain Academy of Arts (MAAS) 6th grade program at Ute Pass Elementary, please fill out the school of choice application and select “6th Grade” at “Ute Pass Elementary”.
Manitou Springs Elementary School classrooms are filled with opportunities to promote academic, emotional, and social growth. Every decision we make—from curriculum design to extracurricular activities—ensures that we are thinking about providing the most effective learning opportunities for our students. We work together to cultivate an environment where every child feels empowered to thrive.
How to Visit:
- Email Carolyn Leyes, Principal, at [email protected] to schedule a time to tour the school.
- Choice Enrollment Night in May. Stay tuned for more information about this event!
CHOICE ENROLLMENT PROCESS
The Manitou Springs School District offers families the ability to choose our district even if you reside outside of our boundaries. We are excited for you to experience the Manitou Advantage!
Are you still within the choice window?
We are currently accepting choice applications for the 2025-2026 school year through May 9th, 2025.
Does your child meet the age requirements?
Students must be 5 years old by October 1st for Kindergarten and must be 6 years old by October 1st for 1st grade.
What criteria does MSSD14 use for choice acceptance?
We base acceptance on seat capacity at both school and grade level.
When will I be notified of acceptance?
As space opens up, we notify families of acceptance.
Will there be a summer window for applications if I don’t get in during the first choice window?
Yes! We open a summer enrollment window from July 21st through September 29th.
How do I apply?
Fill out the choice application below and be sure to check your email frequently as this is the main form of communication for acceptance or denial.
MORE CHOICE ENROLLMENT INFORMATION
Window one opens:
January 1st - May 9th
Second window opens:
July 21st- August 29th (this may change due to classes/buildings filling up)
Who Should Apply?
- New students who do not live within the MSSD14 district boundaries attending K-12.
- Change in Resident Status - Enrolled
students that have moved out of the district during the current year
will be required to submit a choice application for the upcoming year.
Students will be able complete the current school year.
- For current students who wish to attend a
district school other than their zoned school please see the
In-District Transfer section.
- Preschool students have a separate enrollment process. Please see the Preschool page for more information.
- The Mountain Academy of Arts (MAAS) 6th
grade program at Ute Pass Elementary has a separate enrollment process.
Please see the MAAS page for more details.
Age Requirements
- Kindergarten: Must be 5 years old by October 1st
- First Grade: Must be 6 years old by
October 1st - Exception for students who do not meet age requirement,
but have already attended Kindergarten.
School Choice Window
Choice Applications are accepted during the designated choice windows.
- January 1st - May 9th
- July 21st- August 29th (this may change due to classes/buildings filling up)
- Applications submitted outside these windows will not be accepted.
- Applications will only be accepted for the upcoming school year.
* Please be aware that we cannot guarantee that students will be
accepted by the first day of school during the Summer Application
Window.
Application Process
- Applications must be submitted in their entirety using the online Choice Application.
- Applications will not be accepted at individual schools.
- An application is required for each student that is applying.
Acceptance Process
Students are accepted based on the following.
- Seat capacity at both school and grade level.
- Program space availability at both school and grade level.
New Non- Residents
- If space at the school and/or grade level is available, conditional acceptance with next steps will be sent via email.
- Students will be conditionally accepted until a review of educational records are completed.
- During records review, a spot will be held for student.
Waitlists
- If a grade and/or school has reached capacity, the student will be placed on a waitlist.
- Families will be notified if a student is to be placed on the waitlist.
- Waitlists will be evaluated, and status will be communicated to
families during each notification window with the option to remain on
the list or be removed.
- Waitlist order is not provided as additional applications with different acceptance priority can change the order.
High School Athletic/Activity Information
- Switching schools in CO may restrict athletic eligibility. Please
refer to the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA)
Transfer Rules at http://chsaanow.com.
-To participate in school activities during the summer, students must be
accepted and registered in a MSSD14 school. Participating without doing
so, may impact CHSAA eligibility.
In-District School Transfers
To ensure space in school, grade, and programs, all current students
desiring to transfer schools from their currently enrolled school must
complete an In-District Transfer Form. This includes students wishing
to return to their zoned residential school. This form should be
submitted to the district registrar by February 1st of the current
school year to receive priority for the upcoming school year.
Link for In-District Transfer Form