History of Ponderosa High School

1980
December 1980 - This quiet field comes alive with construction and the spirit of the Mustangs emerges. December 1980 - Picture of field where PHS will be built Douglas County Evolves: Mustangs are Born.  Douglas County High School is split and PHS opens January 1983
1983
Ponderosa High School opened its doors as the home of the Mustangs in January of 1983. 
PHS Opening Day Balloon Celebration PHS Picture of new school building
1984

Ponderosa’s first cardinal and gold graduating class was in 1984.
PHS Students Entering HS PHS 1996 Banner
1992
From the beginning to the spring of 1992, Ponderosa had grades 10, 11, and 12 with 1000 to 1100 students each year.  Douglas County was growing about 10 percent a year and was known as the fastest growing county, percentage wise, in the United States. In the spring of 1992, the first addition of 23 classrooms was added to Ponderosa.  The capacity was now 1500 students, which now included a 9th grade class. 
PHS Building
1994
In the summer of 1994, 13 more classrooms and the expansion of the commons was completed, and the building capacity was now 1900 students. From 1994 to 1996, Ponderosa grew to approximately 2100 students. 
PHS Expansion
1997
In 1997, Chaparral was built and became the second high school in Parker, and Ponderosa’s enrollment decreased to around 1800 students.  From 1997 to 2007, Ponderosa once again grew to over 2000 students.
2008
Once again, PHS enrollment was impacted upon the opening of Legend High School in 2008.  Enrollment decreased and still stands at approximately 1375 students.
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In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).