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Colorado Early Colleges Colorado Springs

Q: Is Colorado Early Colleges Colorado Springs a good school?

Colorado Early Colleges Colorado Springs ranks 246 th of 476 Colorado alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter, Alternative Grades K-12

246^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 476 Colorado Alternative Schools

Better than 48% of Colorado alternative schools

Summary

Colorado Early Colleges Colorado Springs is a public charter school in northern Colorado Springs serving 677 students in grades 6–12 under the State Charter School Institute. The school's greatest academic strength is college entrance exam performance: 72% of 11th graders scored proficient on SAT Reading and Writing, well above the state average of 60%, while PSAT 9 and PSAT 10 reading and writing scores reached 80% and 76%, respectively. Science is another bright spot, with 8th-grade CMAS science proficiency at 59.1% versus 36.4% statewide. These results outpace nearby schools like Coronado High School and Palmer High School, and the favorable 14:1 student-to-teacher ratio offers families a more personalized environment than most large neighboring high schools.

The most concerning metric is the graduation rate. At 73.1% for 2024–2025, it falls well below the state rate of 85.6%, meaning roughly one in four students does not graduate on time. Comparable schools fare much better: Odyssey Early College and Career Options graduates 93.5% of students, CIVA Charter Academy 86.1%, and Coronado High School 85.2%. Chronic absenteeism is also elevated at 37.2% versus 28.4% statewide, though it remains better than many local schools. Encouragingly, the graduation rate has climbed steadily from a low of 52.6% in 2021–2022.

After earning 5-star ratings in 2015–2016 and 2016–2017, the school currently holds a 3-star rating, ranked 106th out of 338 high schools statewide—a modest rebound from the prior year. Interesting patterns emerge beneath the headline numbers: middle school CMAS scores are relatively weak, but by high school, students perform well on college-readiness exams, suggesting the school adds real value in the upper grades. The school also shows notable strength in supporting Hispanic and low-income students compared with state averages, while gifted and talented students show the weakest subgroup performance—an area worth asking about. Families considering this early college model should weigh its strong high school academics against the graduation rate gap.

677

Students ?

14.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,963

Per pupil spending ?

39%

Free/discounted lunch ?

4405 North Chestnut St Suite D
Colorado Springs, CO 80907-3812

(719) 955-4675

District: State Charter School Institute

Racial breakdown:

White:

59.7%

Hispanic:

22.3%

Two or more races:

10.0%

See top rated Colorado elementary schools

Compare Colorado Early Colleges Colorado Springs to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 67th percentile in 2021 → 69th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Colorado average (49% vs 43% meeting standards)

✓Among the top-ranked schools in State Charter School Institute

Worth a look

!Graduation rate below the Colorado average (73% vs 86%)

!High chronic absenteeism (37% vs 28% Colorado)

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school49%

District avg37%

Colorado avg43%

Middle school

246^th of 476

Colorado public middle schools ?

Bottom 48%▼ down 17 pts since 2023

From top 35% (2023) to bottom 48% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Colorado Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

105^th of 340

Colorado public high schools ?

Top 31%▼ down 21 pts since 2016

From top 10% (2016) to top 31% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Colorado High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 9Alternative Schools in the State Charter School Institute

51^st of 114State Charter School Institute among Colorado districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	39.8	246 of 476	48.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	46.5	213 of 469	54.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	42.4	238 of 485	50.9%	★★★☆☆
2023	55.6	168 of 480	65.0%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	42.7	181 of 368	50.8%	★★★☆☆
2024	57.7	130 of 350	62.9%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	44.1	111 of 231	51.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	41.2	131 of 244	46.3%	★★☆☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	42.2	178 of 372	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	26.9	251 of 357	29.7%	★★☆☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	46.0	148 of 278	46.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	51.2	128 of 273	53.1%	★★★☆☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	68.0	105 of 340	69.1%	★★★☆☆
2025	62.4	120 of 328	63.4%	★★★☆☆
2024	71.2	90 of 349	74.2%	★★★★☆
2023	65.3	113 of 349	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	60.3	82 of 221	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	64.7	70 of 210	66.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	84.3	50 of 411	87.8%	★★★★☆
2018	84.8	47 of 388	87.9%	★★★★☆
2017	72.3	26 of 256	89.8%	★★★★★
2016	73.8	25 of 255	90.2%	★★★★★
2015	87.9	15 of 292	94.9%	★★★★★
2014	86.0	39 of 369	89.4%	★★★★☆
2013	68.1	109 of 349	68.8%	★★★☆☆
2012	75.2	69 of 334	79.3%	★★★★☆
2011	79.4	58 of 337	82.8%	★★★★☆
2010	68.5	107 of 327	67.3%	★★★☆☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	62.7	93 of 246	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	53.4	109 of 247	55.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	64.5	92 of 257	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	60.7	99 of 254	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2022	72.8	69 of 257	73.2%	★★★★☆
2021	73.1	65 of 239	72.8%	★★★★☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	48.7	93 of 143	35.0%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	69.9	52 of 198	73.7%	★★★★☆
2025	88.0	22 of 187	88.2%	★★★★☆
2024	86.9	21 of 199	89.4%	★★★★☆
2023	65.4	55 of 198	72.2%	★★★★☆
2022	74.0	45 of 205	78.0%	★★★★☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	59.5	72 of 209	65.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	67.9	53 of 194	72.7%	★★★★☆
2024	79.4	33 of 211	84.4%	★★★★☆
2023	75.4	41 of 200	79.5%	★★★★☆
2022	77.1	34 of 203	83.3%	★★★★☆
2021	89.3	13 of 188	93.1%	★★★★★

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	67.9	79 of 244	67.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	64.6	86 of 246	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	71.5	69 of 256	73.0%	★★★★☆
2023	63.6	91 of 252	63.9%	★★★☆☆
2022	70.5	74 of 253	70.8%	★★★★☆
2021	74.5	63 of 240	73.8%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Colorado percentile	Rating
2026	58.2	92 of 221	58.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	40.4	123 of 209	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	53.7	99 of 229	56.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	50.9	114 of 234	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2022	59.0	94 of 228	58.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	73.4	59 of 225	73.8%	★★★★☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

Middle school

Male (2026)52nd percentile+4 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)52nd percentile+4 vs school

Female (2026)51st percentile~ school

White (2026)47th percentile~ school

High school

Hispanic (2026)74th percentile+5 vs school

Male (2026)68th percentile~ school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)66th percentile-4 vs school

Female (2026)62nd percentile-7 vs school

White (2026)58th percentile-11 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)35th percentile-34 vs school

By subject vs Colorado (2025-2026) ?

Reading and Writing72%+12 vs state

English Language Arts36%-9 vs state

Science35%+4 vs state

Mathematics30%~ state avg

Math29%-8 vs state

4.4

9 ratings · 9 written reviews

5★6

4★2

3★0

2★1

1★0

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What people are saying

by a teacher
Sunday, May 12, 2013

FREE COLLEGE! A school that actually puts its money towards helping the students?!? I couldn't believe it when I heard about it. Having worked in three of the largest school districts in the city, $4 million in 6 years directly to students' college expenses was unheard of. Colorado Springs Early Colleges is an amazing opportunity for students with the vision and drive to get where they want to go. I was shocked by the high student-to-teacher ratio shown on this website until I realized that it's wrong! Many students attend classes at the local colleges. On-site classes are small. Currently, my classes have 10 - 23 students in them, which is incredible compared to big district schools with class sizes of 35-50 students. The students, staff, and parents are amazing and caring. I can't imagine anywhere else that I'd want to be. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, February 8, 2013

As a parent, I am excited about the opportunity this school provides for my son. They sincerely work with each individual to help them attain their personal goals. The teachers work long hours to help any student who sincerely wants to improve. The leadership of the school is always innovating new ways to help more students. Close Quote

by a citizen
Friday, February 8, 2013

Aside from CSEC, what other school can say that they had a high school student graduate with a bachelor's degree? Close Quote

by a citizen
Friday, February 8, 2013

Colorado Springs Early Colleges was an excellent alternative for friends of mine when a local private school closed down. The environment there is wholesome. Dress codes and rules are enforced to ensure a safe environment. Teachers go beyond the call to be sure of students are succeeding and parents are informed and involved. Students are take and keep college credit (instead of just AP courses that do not retain college credit). There are a myriad of study labs to ensure college readiness and one on one assistance. What more could you ask for? Close Quote

by a teacher
Friday, February 8, 2013

As a teacher at CSEC, I have to say it is the best school I have worked at. We have an amazing passionate staff that cares about student success, not only in the classroom but also in life. We have standards and expectations that lead to student success. We offer free college classes and you can graduate high school with an associate’s degree. Close Quote

by a teacher
Friday, February 8, 2013

This school has the amazing opportunity to offer students free college classes while in High School. Is your student ready for a challenging High School experience that will allow them to get a jump start on their college career?

Colorado Springs Early Colleges offers a wide range of opportunities for students to take advantage of, as our mission statement proclaims, "Every student, regardless of background or skill level, will achieve mastery and will demonstrate that they can succeed in high school, in college, and in their chosen career. No exceptions. No excuses." Close Quote

by a teacher
Friday, February 8, 2013

As a staff member of CSEC, I see a lot of aspects that students and parents don't see. In every school in every city, there are flaws...it is not a perfect system and education in our country has many challenges to overcome. CSEC is a great school for students willing to work hard and are motivated to succeed. The administration has a passion for seeing these students through to the end and put a lot of sweat and tears into the vision and mission of our school. The opportunity that CSEC provides is needed so badly in today's economy and society and I couldn't imagine grabbing on and not letting go if I had the chance! Close Quote

by a teacher
Friday, February 8, 2013

As a teacher at CSEC, I thoroughly enjoy the students, staff and academics. I've taught for many years in the public school system and I find CSEC to be refreshingly different. The standards of behavior, dress, and rigor are far superior to what I've worked with in the past. These students are developing skills, abilities and attitudes that will make them successful in college and in life. I love working here. Close Quote

by a citizen
Wednesday, August 10, 2011

While the opportunity is great, CSEC is a failure at organization. While Robin Zooks was in charge of enrollments and new students it was fantastic...now it is horrible. I and many friends enrolled children with CSEC this year and were told they were enrolled. NOW we find out they are NOT enrolled, and many of us can't get our kids into the school. This has been a nightmare and caused many tears and anxiety. If you could do that it would be great -- but right now it is just a nightmare. If you say they are enrolled and everything is good to go, you'd better have it right. Right now, you don't. Get the paperwork together and this will be a 5* place. Right now it is at best 2* because CSEC cannot do what they say they will do. Close Quote

Schools Near Colorado Early Colleges Colorado Springs

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking ()				Ranking ()				PSAT10 Reading and Writing (2026)	PSAT10 Mathematics (2026)	PSAT9 Reading and Writing (2026)	PSAT9 Mathematics (2026)	SAT Reading and Writing (2026)	SAT Mathematics (2026)	CMAS English Language Arts (2026)							CMAS Math (2026)							CMAS Science (2026)			Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	PSAT10 Reading and Writing 10th Grade	PSAT10 Mathematics 10th Grade	PSAT9 Reading and Writing 9th Grade	PSAT9 Mathematics 9th Grade	SAT Reading and Writing 11th Grade	SAT Mathematics 11th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 3rd Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 4th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 5th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 6th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 7th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts 8th Grade	CMAS English Language Arts All Grades	CMAS Math 3rd Grade	CMAS Math 4th Grade	CMAS Math 5th Grade	CMAS Math 6th Grade	CMAS Math 7th Grade	CMAS Math 8th Grade	CMAS Math All Grades	CMAS Science 5th Grade	CMAS Science 8th Grade	CMAS Science 11th Grade	Total
Colorado Early Colleges Colorado Springs	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	4405 North Chestnut St Suite D	Colorado Springs	80907	El Paso County	State Charter School Institute	Yes	No	No	No	(719) 955-4675	677	48	14.0	39.0%	404 (59.7%)	31 (4.6%)	151 (22.3%)	14 (2.1%)	8 (1.2%)	1 (0.1%)	68 (10.0%)								(n/a)	76.1	51.1	80.3	52.5	72.0	30.1				29.3	32.4	45.7	35.5				25.0	31.4	31.6	29.2		36.8	33.3	$10,963
Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	33 N. Institute St.	Colorado Springs	80903	El Paso County	Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind	No	No	No	Yes	(719) 578-2100	167	31	5.4	61.7%	69 (41.3%)	15 (9.0%)	61 (36.5%)	12 (7.2%)	2 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (4.8%)								(n/a)													687.0						687.0	693.0				$00
Zebulon Pike Youth Services Center	Public, Alternative	4-12	1427 West Rio Grande	Colorado Springs	80906	El Paso County	Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12	No	No	No	No	(719) 390-2766	24	7	3.4	87.5%	7 (29.2%)	6 (25.0%)	11 (45.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																								$00
Thomas MacLaren School	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	1702 N Murray Blvd	Colorado Springs	80915	El Paso County	Colorado Springs School District No. 11	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(719) 313-4488	975	76	12.7	41.5%	593 (60.8%)	26 (2.7%)	231 (23.7%)	22 (2.3%)	6 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	96 (9.8%)								(n/a)	92.6	79.6	91.2	77.2	89.5	65.8	45.6	46.5	36.8	51.4	46.2	40.9	44.7	58.8	62.8	34.3	34.3	24.7	48.5	44.2	34.3	43.3	58.1	$13,792
Colorado Military Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-12	360 Command View	Colorado Springs	80915	El Paso County	Colorado Springs School District No. 11	Yes	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(719) 576-9838	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)	61.3	421.0	80.6	29.0	50.0	447.0	27.9	18.4	16.7	25.0	40.0	18.9	25.1	37.2	35.4	19.4	10.7	722.0	701.0	18.9	19.4	715.0	735.0
Banning Lewis Ranch Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	7094 Cottonwood Tree Drive	Colorado Springs	80927	El Paso County	El Paso County Colorado School District 49	Yes	No	No	No	(719) 570-0075	1,697	116	14.6	15.5%	949 (55.9%)	85 (5.0%)	406 (23.9%)	61 (3.6%)	6 (0.4%)	7 (0.4%)	183 (10.8%)								(n/a)	69.7	36.1	77.9	37.9	70.1	28.2	51.3	47.5	55.8	30.8	52.1	41.7	46.5	40.9	36.4	43.0	29.8	26.4	33.3	35.0	43.4	38.2	28.7	$12,384
The Haven School	Public, Virtual, Alternative	K-12	930 Leta Dr	Colorado Springs	80911	El Paso County	School District No. 3	No	No	Yes	No	(719) 391-3080	240	15	16.4	45.0%	106 (44.2%)	16 (6.7%)	86 (35.8%)	3 (1.3%)	1 (0.4%)	2 (0.8%)	26 (10.8%)								(n/a)	474.0	400.0	462.0	402.0	459.0	413.0					740.0	721.0	31.6					727.0	711.0	17.3		725.0	728.0	$6,427
Liberty Tree Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	K-12	8579 Eastonville Road	Falcon	80831	El Paso County	El Paso County Colorado School District 49	Yes	No	No	No	(719) 338-6470	602	41	14.8	28.1%	402 (66.8%)	27 (4.5%)	116 (19.3%)	9 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (8.0%)								(n/a)	77.8	40.7	80.0	441.0	80.0	505.0	54.1	30.0	35.9	48.8	54.0	46.0	45.2	40.5	732.0	727.0	32.6	38.0	32.0	32.0	25.6	22.0	746.0	$11,931
Education reEnvisioned School	Public, Alternative	K-12	430 Beacon Lite Road Suite 150	Monument	80132	El Paso County	Education Reenvisioned BOCES	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(719) 963-9824	59	24	2.4		42 (71.2%)	1 (1.7%)	15 (25.4%)	1 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)																								$5,740
Merit Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-12	500 E Kelley's Lane	Woodland Park	80863	Teller County	Woodland Park School District No. Re-2	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(719) 686-2247	452	33	13.6	27.0%	380 (84.1%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (8.6%)	4 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	27 (6.0%)								(n/a)	84.0	56.0	96.8	51.6	70.0	26.7	47.2	23.4	53.6	47.7	33.3	63.4	45.1	44.4	23.4	44.6	29.5	27.3	75.6	40.9	41.1	43.9	22.2	$12,262

Frequently Asked Questions about Colorado Early Colleges Colorado Springs

Is Colorado Early Colleges Colorado Springs a good school?

Colorado Early Colleges Colorado Springs ranks 246^th of 476 Colorado alternative schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Colorado Early Colleges Colorado Springs?

Students at Colorado Early Colleges Colorado Springs are 60% White, 22% Hispanic, 10% Two or more races, 5% African American, 2% Asian, 1% American Indian.

How many students attend Colorado Early Colleges Colorado Springs?

In the 2024-25 school year, 677 students attended Colorado Early Colleges Colorado Springs.

What district is Colorado Early Colleges Colorado Springs in?

State Charter School Institute

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Latest Colorado data All new data »

2025–26 CMAS, PSAT10, PSAT9 & SAT test scoresAug 19, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataJun 13, 2026

2024–25 dropout rates & graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

2024–25 attendance dataAug 27, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Colorado Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.