Why Choose PSD? 

• Top 5 school district in Colorado for academics

• 66% of students earn college credit before graduation

• 7 National Blue Ribbon Schools

• Mental health support in every school

• 100+ state athletic championships

At PSD, excellence isn’t just about academics. It’s about belonging, opportunity, and supporting the whole child — in the classroom, on the field, and beyond.

Programs and Pathways

• Advanced Placement: A program offering college-level courses and examinations to high school students, allowing them to earn college credit for free during their high school years

• Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID): AVID is a college and career readiness program that teaches students core WICOR skills (Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization, and Reading) to ensure they not only get into college but have the skills to successfully graduate. AVID deliberately builds a dynamic community where students develop a sense of belonging and become self-advocates for their own learning.

• Alternative Education Campuses: Small, specialized secondary schools for students struggling in traditional school settings. These schools offer a close-knit community, a trauma-responsive focus, a high level of individual attention, and unique structure offering ample opportunity for credit recovery.

• Career & Technical Education (CTE): Hands-on, structured programs of study that prepare students for high-demand, high-wage careers and future college or technical training. A wide variety of offerings from health science to agriculture to welding are offered at PSD middle and high schools, in addition to the PSD Career Tech Center on the Poudre High School campus.

• Core Knowledge: A classically-oriented curriculum structured around a sequence of foundational knowledge. This provides a highly content-focused, sequential approach to education. Core Knowledge embodies the philosophy that children enter the world on a more equal playing field when they are given access to a more consistent and unified bank of knowledge. Developed by E.D. Hirsch, this is the same curriculum utilized at most Northern Colorado classical schools

• Dual Language: Full bilingual instruction in English and Spanish, fostering higher levels of bilingualism, biliteracy and cultural fluency for students.

• Expeditionary Learning: An educational model where learning revolves around "learning expeditions:" in-depth, long-term studies on a single, compelling theme that integrate multiple subjects and involve rigorous, real-world projects. This provides more hands-on and outdoor learning than a traditional approach.

• Hybrid Learning: A blend of online and in-person instruction to meet specialized student needs. Instruction is done by licensed teachers while a parent/guardian serves as the learning coach

• International Baccalaureate (IB): A continuum of four rigorous academic programs that inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and a global outlook. IB students develop intercultural understanding and the skills to make a positive impact in an interconnected world.

• Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC): a credit-earning high school program run by the US military designed to teach high school students the value of citizenship, leadership, service to the community, personal responsibility, and a sense of accomplishment, while instilling in them self-esteem, teamwork, and self-discipline. Enlisting into the military after participation is not required, but participation can lead to higher rank if a student does enlist. JROTC's objective is that all students graduate from high school on time with a foundation of skills that will enable them to be successful citizens after graduation. All aspects of the program, including uniforms, travel to and from competitions, etc. are free of cost. 

• Leader in Me: An evidence-based, whole-school development program based off of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. This program fosters a leadership culture through training, shared visions, goals-setting, academics, and activities to build life-readiness and supportive school environments.

• Opportunities Unlimited: a program re-engaging students who are off-track in their education, enabling students ages 17-20 to earn their alternative high school diploma (a GED equivalent). OU students are able to work towards their traditional high school diploma if the student has 50 credits or less to earn. After successful completion of OU, students have the option of concurrently enrolling in Front Range Community College. This program is free of cost and offers a formal cap-and-gown graduation. Drop-in classes are also available for community members 17+ to study for the HiSET (GED equivalent.) Community members can start this Alternative High School Diploma process at any time during the year.

• Project-Based Learning: An educational model where students learn by working on complex, real-world, hands-on problems or challenges over an extended period

• STEM/STEAM: A focus on science, technology, engineering, (arts) and math, setting students up for success in high-demand career fields

Every child deserves a school where they belong, grow, and succeed. With 54 schools — including five district-authorized charter schools — PSD offers caring teachers, unique programs, and opportunities for every learner. Whether you are looking for your neighborhood school or exploring choice options, this site is your guide to finding the best fit for your family.

Interactive Map of PSD Schools