Public school systems play a crucial role in shaping local economies, influencing everything from property values to workforce development. The economic impact of local public schools extends far beyond education, affecting businesses, government budgets, and community well-being. Below are key ways in which public schools contribute to local economic health.
- Boosting Property Values and Municipal Revenue
A strong public school system increases demand for housing in the district, driving up property values. Studies consistently show that homes in high-performing school districts command higher prices than comparable homes in weaker districts. Higher property values, in turn, generate more property tax revenue for local governments, which can be reinvested in infrastructure, public safety, and other community services.
Additionally, businesses are more likely to establish themselves in areas with well-regarded schools, knowing that educated communities attract skilled workers and stable families. This creates a positive feedback loop where better schools lead to economic growth, which then further supports school funding.
- Workforce Development and Economic Competitiveness
Public schools are the primary source of skilled labor for local industries. By providing foundational education, vocational training, and college preparation, schools ensure that businesses have access to qualified employees. Areas with strong school systems tend to have lower unemployment rates and higher average incomes because educated workers are more productive and adaptable to changing job markets.
Investments in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs, career and technical education (CTE), and partnerships with local businesses further enhance workforce readiness. Companies often consider school quality when deciding where to locate, as they need a pipeline of talent to sustain operations.
- Direct Employment and Local Spending
Public schools are among the largest employers in many communities, providing jobs for teachers, administrators, custodians, and support staff. These employees spend their salaries locally, supporting restaurants, retail stores, and service providers. The multiplier effect means that every dollar spent on school payroll circulates through the economy multiple times, stimulating additional business activity.
Beyond salaries, schools also contribute to local economies through construction projects (e.g., building new facilities or renovating old ones), purchasing supplies from area vendors, and contracting services like transportation and food supply. These expenditures create jobs and generate tax revenue.
- Reducing Long-Term Public Costs
Quality education correlates with lower crime rates, reduced reliance on social welfare programs, and better public health outcomes. Students who graduate from strong school systems are less likely to require government assistance, engage in criminal activity, or face chronic unemployment. This reduces the burden on taxpayers, who would otherwise fund prisons, healthcare for the uninsured, and social services.
Early childhood education programs, in particular, have been shown to yield high long-term returns by improving graduation rates and future earnings while decreasing incarceration costs.
- Attracting and Retaining Families and Businesses
Families with children prioritize school quality when choosing where to live. Communities with reputable schools experience population growth, which sustains local businesses and services. Conversely, declining school performance can lead to outmigration, shrinking the tax base and harming economic vitality.
Similarly, corporations evaluating relocation opportunities assess school systems to ensure employees will have access to good education for their children. A weak school system can deter investment, while a strong one can attract high-paying jobs and stimulate economic diversification.
Conclusion
The local public school system is not just an educational institution but a cornerstone of economic stability and growth. By enhancing property values, developing a skilled workforce, employing residents, reducing public costs, and attracting businesses, schools create a thriving economic ecosystem. Policymakers and community leaders must recognize that investing in education yields broad economic benefits, making it one of the most impactful ways to ensure long-term prosperity.
The following report contains those school districts that are completely or partially within the county. The school districts are sorted in a left to right order based on the number of students that are estimated to live in the county, although they may actually attend a school outside the county boundary. Except where noted all figures are for the entire disctrict population and not just that portion that are in the county.
Where available, the district's name contains a link to that district's website.
|
Deer Trail School District 26J |
Strasburg School District 31J |
|
Bennett School District 29-J |
|
Sheridan School District 2 |
|
Byers School District 32J |
|
Englewood School District 1 |
|
Littleton School District 6 |
|
Adams-Arapahoe School District 28J |
|
Cherry Creek School District 5 |
|
Grade Span of Agency Number of Schools Total Classroom Teachers Student/Teachers
Prekindergarten Kindergarten Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Grade 5 Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12 PK thru 12 Students Ungraded Students Adult Education and Other Students Special Ed IEP Students Total Students
White Black Asian Hispanic Native American Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Undefined or Multiple Races
Prekindergarten Teachers Kindergarten Teachers Elementary Teachers Secondary Teachers Ungraded Class Teachers Total FTE Teachers
Elementary School Counselors Secondary School Counselors School Counselors Total Counselors
School Administrators School Administrative Support Staff Instr. Coord. and Super. to Staff Student Support Services Staff Librarians/media specialists Library/Media Support Staff School Psychologists Paraprofessionals/Instructional Aides Total School Staff
LEA Administrators LEA Administrative Support Staff Total LEA Staff
All Other Support Staff Total Other Staff
|
PK-12
70
3,220
16.53
1,739
3,052
3,381
3,422
3,584
3,597
3,834
3,740
3,939
3,928
4,376
4,361
4,318
4,537
51,808
0
0
1,417
53,225
23,915
6,060
4,624
12,020
242
152
4,727
37
247
1,454
1,482
0
3,220
8
98
5
111
170
379
224
632
22
16
99
1,417
2,735
52
307
582
791
791 |
PK-12
58
2,333
16.68
1,626
2,730
2,930
3,063
2,912
2,908
2,842
2,823
2,708
2,926
2,811
2,698
2,429
2,772
38,178
0
0
748
38,926
4,680
6,530
1,854
22,246
229
386
2,253
23
175
1,147
988
0
2,333
31
134
39
204
215
231
320
563
2
6
46
748
1,811
18
227
564
495
495 |
PK-12
20
767
17.74
388
813
867
889
910
909
853
952
972
979
1,130
1,164
1,142
1,283
13,251
0
0
359
13,610
9,633
177
296
2,346
43
22
734
5
47
362
353
0
767
6
24
6
36
61
68
35
120
2
10
27
359
647
28
72
135
225
225 |
PK-12
9
165
14.80
239
164
160
176
140
161
154
166
120
124
190
179
184
211
2,368
0
0
75
2,443
1,113
110
28
978
11
1
127
3
14
71
77
0
165
3
6
2
11
12
13
10
25
1
0
6
75
132
13
18
41
42
42 |
PK-12
10
136
47.78
39
155
184
203
190
215
248
348
488
646
607
824
1,035
1,274
6,456
0
0
43
6,499
3,601
543
111
2,071
80
41
9
0
5
40
91
0
136
1
2
0
3
14
3
4
6
0
1
2
43
69
6
2
12
10
10 |
PK-12
5
70
15.69
117
55
60
67
71
46
42
73
65
81
76
101
88
116
1,058
0
0
41
1,099
145
35
25
822
5
1
25
9
3
23
35
0
70
3
3
0
6
7
7
4
17
1
1
0
41
74
8
15
27
37
37 |
PK-12
6
94
17.75
75
146
130
130
129
123
114
123
130
96
116
101
119
113
1,645
0
0
24
1,669
663
94
25
706
31
7
119
0
10
48
36
0
94
2
3
0
5
7
6
0
9
1
0
1
24
46
7
6
13
26
26 |
PK-12
4
73
16.71
88
72
79
76
75
80
88
81
85
83
96
101
89
94
1,187
0
0
33
1,220
693
17
9
412
5
3
48
4
5
32
32
0
73
1
1
0
2
5
7
2
9
2
0
0
33
55
1
6
9
27
27 |
PK-12
2
27
13.73
31
33
27
34
23
28
36
26
32
24
14
18
25
10
361
0
0
10
371
171
15
0
154
0
14
7
1
2
13
11
0
27
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
2
0
0
0
10
14
1
4
5
8
8 |
Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus
|