Original Research by School Decision on Eastlake High School of Colorado Springs
Eastlake High School of Colorado Springs is a small alternative high school serving grades nine through twelve, operating as a charter school within Colorado Springs School District No. 11. Because of its alternative status, the school is designed for students who may benefit from a non-traditional academic setting, often those who are credit-deficient, have faced challenges in a conventional high school, or need a more flexible environment to stay on track toward graduation.
The student body is predominantly Hispanic, with White students and Black students each making up a notable share. A substantial share of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting the economic circumstances of many families the school serves. The school’s enrollment is relatively small, with the largest grade level being the senior class, followed by juniors, then sophomores, and a very small freshman class.
No state assessment results were available for Eastlake High School, nor are there reported figures for its graduation rate, chronic absenteeism, discipline, course access, staffing, or attendance data. These gaps are not unusual for an alternative school, because standard accountability measures may not capture the same academic pathways or student populations that traditional high schools serve. The comparison set, which places the school relative to districts in El Paso County, was unable to evaluate overall proficiency, the four-year graduation rate, or chronic absenteeism because the data was missing. A parent considering this school will want to ask the school directly about student outcomes, including graduation and postsecondary transition rates, and about the specific programs and credit-recovery options offered.
The district as a whole has made several publicly reported changes that are relevant to families. The district raised starting teacher pay and implemented significant salary increases across the board, an effort aimed at improving teacher recruitment and retention. It also reduced the number of schools classified as Turnaround or Priority Improvement from nine to three, a notable shift in school performance across the district. In partnership with Pikes Peak State College, the district launched the D11 Promise Scholarship, which allows high school students to take college-level courses at no cost, an opportunity that could extend to Eastlake students.
Colorado Springs is a large, sprawling city shaped by a major military presence, with Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Fort Carson anchoring the regional economy. Defense and aerospace contractors employ a significant share of the workforce, and tourism is also a large employment sector, driven by attractions like Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak. The city is car-dependent, with commercial corridors and interstate highways connecting widely spread neighborhoods. The population has grown steadily over recent decades, and the housing market reflects moderate home values and rents that have seen a slight year-over-year decline. The city’s character is defined by its military institutions, outdoor recreation, and a relatively low-density built environment.
Eastlake High School offers a specific niche within Colorado Springs’ educational landscape: a small, alternative charter high school serving a diverse and predominantly low-income student body. Without the standard academic performance metrics that parents typically rely on, a family considering this school will need to gather additional information directly from the school about its programs, graduation pathways, and the kinds of support it provides to help students complete high school and prepare for what comes next.
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