Colorado Springs School District 11 has a new co-location arrangement in place for the 2026-27 school year: Orton Academy, a D11 charter school, is now sharing space at Trailblazer Elementary. The arrangement was announced in April 2026 and took effect with the start of this school year in August.

If your family is connected to either school — as a current student, an enrolled family, or someone considering enrollment — here's what we know about what the change means on the ground.

What Co-Location Means for Families

D11 has used co-location arrangements before, and the district has experience managing the logistics that come with it. That said, families in both school communities should be aware of a few practical realities that come with shared-space arrangements:

• Drop-off and pick-up: Two schools sharing a building means more traffic at the same time windows. If your school hasn't communicated specific timing or lane assignments, it's worth asking.
• Shared facilities: Gyms, cafeterias, libraries, and outdoor spaces may have scheduled sharing between the two communities. Your school's leadership can tell you how that's being handled.
• Community identity: Both schools maintain their separate identities, staff, and programs. Co-location is a facility arrangement, not a merger.

The beginning of a co-location year typically comes with a learning curve as both communities adapt to the shared space. Communication from your school's front office is the most reliable source for family-specific questions.

For Families Considering Orton Academy

If you're a COS parent who has been curious about charter school options in D11, Orton Academy's move to Trailblazer Elementary may have changed the geographic considerations for your family. Charter enrollment is typically handled through D11's charter application process, with open enrollment windows. Visit d11.org for current information on application timelines and available spots.

What's Next

Both schools are now several weeks into the 2026-27 year with the arrangement in place. The best source for family-specific questions about scheduling, logistics, or what the change means for your student is your school's front office or principal. D11's main district office is reachable at d11.org or in person at 1033 N. Franklin Street, Colorado Springs, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. MT.

We'll continue tracking D11 news as the year unfolds. If your family is in one of these school communities and has updates to share, we want to hear from you.