CDE Facility Schools

There are 35 facility schools across the state of Colorado. We have approximately 1,100 students enrolled, with a total of 6,000 placements during a school year. The average length of stay can range from 72 hours in a hospital setting up to several years for students with significant support needs. Facility schools are part of a hospital, day treatment, or residential program. Students in these programs are in general education and special education with a common factor of mental health issues. Teachers in these schools are employees of individual private agencies rather than school districts. The Office of Facility Schools approves and provides support for the facility schools including a common curriculum and diagnostic assessment system.

Teaching in a facility school is a unique experience. Our class sizes are small and made up of students from a variety of ages and abilities. You will have opportunities to change instruction to increase effectiveness with students who may not be successful in a traditional classroom. Behavior management is also a large part of a teaching in a facility school. Facilities use trauma-informed practices as well as other interventions to support student behavior. Our teachers have the opportunity to support both education and mental health while being a part of the students' treatment team.

We hire facility school teachers through a private agency rather than a school district. Salaries and benefits may vary per agency.