About Pikes Peak School of Expeditionary Learning

  • Pikes Peak School of Expeditionary Learning was the first school chartered in District 49. The school opened in 2000 with just one class of preschool students and has grown to a capacity of 400 students from preschool to 8th grade. The school has its own website outside of the D49 system that can be seen at www.ppsel.org.
     
    Our vision is to be a community that actively cultivates character in a challenging and engaging learning environment.

    Pikes Peak School of Expeditionary Learning's mission is to develop motivated, independently thinking individuals who demonstrate strong character, academic achievement, social confidence and service to the community by utilizing the Expeditionary Learning Model. 

    Employment


    Pikes Peak School of Expeditionary Learning has job openings. To view these openings and learn how to apply, you can go to http://www.ppsel.org/html/employment.php#
     

    Curricula


    Pikes Peak School of Expeditionary Learning is part of the Expeditionary Schools Network, based on research from Harvard University. Students participate in expeditions, or in-depth, semester long studies. During the expeditions, students ask powerful questions and become true experts because of the depth of their studies. They work on projects with a real world audience and purpose.

    Pikes Peak School of Expeditionary Learning has small class sizes, generally ranging from 18-22 students so that students are able to receive individual attention and small group teaching. Students are challenged at their ability level with hands-on activities and in-depth studies as their curriculum. Students dive into the work of real scientists and historians to become experts in their learning topic. Compassion, respect, integrity, self-discipline and craftsmanship—These are the character traits taught at Pikes Peak School of Expeditionary Learning. These character traits are one reason that parents and students love the school. Being in school is a pleasure and everyone is made to feel like they belong. The school hasn’t forgotten why character is important. Educators strive to be examples of good character.

    Extracurricular


    Students at Pikes Peak School of Expeditionary Learning have the opportunity to join the music program with an enthusiastic, highly qualified instructor. Students can also join one of the most outstanding, friendly karate programs in the region. Students also have access to all of the sports programs offered by District 49.

    Community


    The school has a thriving Parent-Teacher Organization with three leadership committees that fall within the PTO. Parents are able to volunteer within their interests, whether it be teacher appreciation, fundraising, student tutoring or many other things. Parents are welcomed in the school every day and play a vital role in helping the school operate.

iConnect Zone Overview

  • The iConnect Zone has reinvented educational environments that inspire individuals’ peak potential. In iConnect, faculty interconnect effective educational systems, which inspire individuals to their learning potential, investigate and implement best educational practices that lead students to success, invest in students by challenging and developing citizens that compete in a global society, invent settings and systems that empower individuals’ learning, leadership and life. The zone strives to inspire individuals with meaningful challenges and surround them with nurturing support to achieve ambitious goals.
    • Online and Blended Learning
    • Credit Recovery
    • Alternative Learning
    • Homeschool Enrichment
    • GED Prep Program, Testing
    • Tuition-free Charter Schools

Portfolio of Schools

  • Portfolio of Schools District 49 will create a robust portfolio of distinct and exceptional schools. It’s not enough just to have a bunch of different kinds of schools; the district needs to have high quality, exceptional schools. District 49 strives to offer wonderful schools in all of its zones, schools that are different from each other and superior to the options students might have in neighboring districts and communities.
     
    District 49’s board-approved strategic plan provides unified vision, goals and strategies to prepare students to achieve like never before. Its strategic plan is organized around a a big rocks metaphor. If the district identifies and focuses on what's most important – its big rocks of trust, community, best district, portfolio of schools and every student – and then adds other things around them, the medium-sized rocks, and finally works in the pebbles, everything better fits together. District 49 has applied this metaphor in its strategic plan, which identifies the district's Big Rocks. These strategic initiatives will be emphasized over the upcoming years, representing the district’s commitment to its community. These five rocks are its foundation for building an excellent future with its staff, students and greater community.

PPSEL Maps & Directions