Manitou Springs Elementary School

My kids love going to school here. I have two kids that go to this school and they just love it. I moved my son here from another district and he said it is the best school he has gone to. The teachers are great and really care about their students. I think it is great going to a small school were everyone knows and looks out for your children. My son was below reading level when we came here and the literacy department worked so hard to get him to grade level in reading. I can't say enough nice things about this school. You wont go wrong with choosing MSES!
--Submitted by a parent

My son just started here and I am extremely happy and excited about y decision. The principal is always available to chat, and is the sweetest man! The kiddos love him so much that on my tour every child would jump up to hug him. I have never seen anything like that before! Every teacher I met was full of enery and alive, kind and inviting! I was blown away at their genuine hospitality. My son's new teacher even hugged me goodbye when I left him on his first day. My family has moved a LOT in the past 5 years, and my sons have been to many schools. This one feels like one big family full of genuine people who actually care about each other. I can't wait to enjoy seeing the kids there and the staff the whole rest of this year!
--Submitted by a parent

Most of the teachers here are fantastic and very genuinely care about the children in their classroom. The first grade teachers have a reputation for being amazing! You won't go wrong there. Parent involvement is fairly high and not only are you welcome as a parent but often encouraged to stop in the class and help out if you want to. Russ Vogel is an outstanding principal and knows the students by name. Academics is taught along with the arts which we believe is beneficial to elementary students. We have four children that attended MSES and we very highly recommend it.
--Submitted by a parent

My son attended this school and was being bullied at school. The school did very little about it. They say they have a no tolerance policy for these things, but I didn't find that to be true. Teachers and staff are nice, but that alone doesn't educate our children.
--Submitted by a parent

Incredible school where they still have the courage and vision to teach the whole child in all subjects. Supportive academic relationships. My child has grown and flourished here.
--Submitted by a parent

I enrolled my daughter into this school after hearing rave reviews about it. I have to say that this Is the best school district I have seen in a long time. The teachers are genuine and they really care about the children. My daughter went from being in a D-11 school who thought she was 'behind on reading and writing' and put her in a class for help, to a wonderful elementary school in manitou, where now she is in advanced reading and advanced math. she has excelled so much in just one year being in manitou. the after school programs are above the generic programs. I would recommend anyone who want their child to go to a school where they actually care and excel your child to be the best to go to manitou!
--Submitted by a parent

Both of my children have attended MSES from kindergarten on and every step of the way we have appreciated what a great school this is. We placed our children in the Manitou School District as an alternative to the schools available in Colorado Springs and have never regretted that decision. If you can't afford private school, the Manitou school system is the next-best thing.
--Submitted by a parent

We find the quality of the acedemics to be questionable. We suspected our daughter was behind in reading and a private assessment proved correct. We'd never been told she was behind and were concerned with the lack of communication. The extracurricular activities seem to be on par with other schools. Parent involvement seems above average but it's an eclectic mix at the school (to be generous). As an example; one of the parents wore a 'Hustler' shirt to a school dance. The community prides itself on it's free spirit reputation and that drew us to the school. It is become a bit much which is why we're looking elsewhere.
--Submitted by a parent

We have loved our experience at MSES. The staff, students, and parents are all amazing. Even though we no longer live in the district we still drive our son to and from school so that he may attend MSES.
--Submitted by a parent