Colorado Springs School District 11 is expanding its school portfolio.

D-11’s board of education approved a charter school contract with the Colorado Military Academy during their regular meeting Wednesday night.

The K-12 school has operated since 2017 and provides students a cadet program that incorporates aerospace concepts, hands-on learning and real-world applications while focusing on discipline, teamwork and innovative thinking to prepare them for higher education, future careers or the military.

It also integrates a multi-tiered support system and intervention response framework alongside Gifted & Talented and Special Education programs to ensure that all students receive personalized support and opportunities.

“What do we bring to D-11? Military-inspired leadership emphasizing character development that focuses on the four pillars of Civil Air Patrol: integrity, respect, volunteer service and excellence,” CMA Executive Director Nicole Roberts said.  

The charter school, located at 360 Command View Drive, resides in D-11’s boundaries but the district relinquished its authority to charter the school in 2016 because of financial limitations. The school got chartered through D-49 when it opened in 2017 and later by the Colorado Charter Institute.

Board president Parth Melpakam said he recently took a tour of the school and noted that the school had submitted an application two years ago. The board denied the application because of uncertainties about finances and leadership, which he said have been addressed this time.

He added that he came away impressed with the school’s facility, student behavior and healthy food offerings in addition to its academic approach.  

“It is a unique opportunity,” he said.

During the meeting’s public comment period, staff, students and families who have attended CMA praised its approach to education and the impact it has on students while also acknowledging shortcomings in sports programs and extracurricular activities that D-11 could improve.  

A report conducted by the district’s accountability committee charter school subcommittee found that the school would add to the district’s portfolio, that it boasts consistent enrollment and that it would provide unique leadership opportunities to students.

However, the report also noted that the school is in the third year on the state’s performance accountability clock and asked what was being done for academic success.

Roberts listed multiple measures to address the school’s academic performance over the past year that include adding interventionists for math and English classes, new ongoing professional development for staff, updating its outdated curriculum and redesigning the middle school master schedule for additional instructional support.  

The board unanimously approved the application.

Later in the meeting, the board reviewed applications for three other charter schools. East Hills Academy is a classical education school while Spruce Community School looks to provide project-based learning and whole-child development through real-world experiences. Gateway for Success (GFS) – Colorado Springs will serve 9th to 12th grade students who are credit deficient or at risk of dropping out because of challenges like truancy, parenthood, homelessness and bullying.

All schools plan to open in the 2026-27 school year, and the board will discuss each one as an option at a work session before a vote at a future board meeting.

Other business

The board also voted to authorize the purchase of four downtown properties. The properties located at 219 E. St. Vrain, 221 E. St. Vrain, 430 N. Weber St., and 429 N. Nevada Ave are located adjacent to Palmer High School, which is preparing to undergo major renovations.

The district’s current master plan for the school includes removing the four buildings to create space for future school amenities.

The board voted to repeal the district policy AG, which states a commitment to educational equity. The decision comes following a “Dear Colleague” letter issued by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights that deems diversity, equity and inclusion practices as discriminatory. Additionally, board members have expressed their disapproval of the policy at prior meetings.

The policy was repealed 5-1 with board member Julie Ott being the only dissenting vote.

A finalized draft of the new employee handbook, developed from an employee engagement group, was presented to the board. The revised handbook comes following the dissolution of the collective bargaining agreement between the Colorado Springs Education Association and D-11 leadership.

The board was also presented with possibilities for a future bond vote. Among the options discussed were possible $500 million or $750 million bonds that would be used to finish installing air conditioning in all schools, completing the Palmer High renovations and rebuilding and renovating the district’s middle schools.

Also discussed was the development of a public survey to fine-tune the bond proposal’s language, initiatives and timing.