Why a Catholic Education?
Why a Douglas County Catholic School Education
Parish Growth
Population Growth
Vision for the Future
 
Proposed School Sites
DCCS Board
Scheduled Events
DCCS News
Contact DCCS
 
 

Why a Douglas County Catholic School Education?

Population Growth

  • From 1990 to 2000, Douglas County saw a population increase of 115,375.
  • The Douglas County Planning Department projects population will grow to 390,000 by 2025, an increase of about 200,000 from 2000.
  • In recent years, net migration into Douglas County has been 12,000 to 14,000 persons per year.
  • The Douglas County Planning Department projects total housing units will increase from 61,000 in 2000 to 92,000 in 2005, a growth of about 31,000 over a five-year period.
  • The largest area of population growth will be east of I-25 and north of Highway 86. This quadrant is expected to attract 76,000 additional persons, with Parker absorbing the largest portion of the growth.
  • If 25% of the population migrating into Douglas County is Catholic, there could be an additional 50,000 Catholics by 2025.

In November 2003, a group of business, civic and church leaders from Douglas County and the Diocese of Colorado Springs convened at Ave Maria Catholic Elementary School in Parker to discuss the future of Catholic Schools.

The following key factors were identified:
  • The Catholic population in Douglas County has increased eight-fold over the past two decades.
  • Over 500 Douglas County children are enrolled in schools within the boundaries of the Archdiocese of Denver; straining the capacity of those schools.
  • Hundreds more are on waiting lists for Denver Archdiocese schools or simply don’t bother to apply.

Clearly, the vision for new Catholic schools cannot be fully addressed exclusively through either parish or diocesan resources and infrastructure. Participation and investment from individuals, families and foundations that share in this vision will be vital to its success.