Falcon School District 49 is the fast growing school district in the region (and by some measures, the state). It covers the eastern plains, and large portion of southeastern Black Forest. D49 has traditionally been torn between being a rural district covering many areas of 5 acre tracts with horses, and an suburban district covering many higher density areas such as Stetson Hills / Indigo Ranch, Springs Ranch, Banning Lewis Ranch, Woodmen Hills and Falcon Hills, among others. The average home price for D49 in 2009 was $214,388.
In recent years, there have been several charter schools added with in the district, including the Imagine Classical Academy, Rocky Mountain Classical Academy, and the Banning Lewis Ranch Academy. The entire educational structure of the Banning Lewis Ranch is planned to be based on charter schools, raising some interesting issues. The Banning Lewis Ranch is the largest development in the history of Colorado Springs.
2009 was a tumultuous year for the district, with the firing of another superintendent, a threatened recall of board members, and lots of fighting over the future direction of the district. Overall prospects for D49 are excellent, and things have settled down a bit since the election. The number 1 issue facing the district is growth, including both how to handle it from an infrastructure standpoint, as well as maintaining / improving academic excellence when so many new students are expected.
