About Us
Christa McAuliffe Elementary at Cimarron Hills launched on August 16th, 2007 and has been serving the Cimarron Hills community ever since. We offer every child the opportunity to receive personalized learning opportunities through differentiated instruction, technology integration, and collaboration.
Core Mission & Values
Colorado Springs School District 11
Strategic Plan
Core Values (our shared beliefs describe who we are as a community)
We believe:
- In the inherent worth of every individual and the power of equitable practices to unleash potential.
- Diversity enriches the human experience and strengthens community.
- Healthy relationships provide mutual understanding and enhance life.
- Continuous learning nourishes life.
- Integrity is fundamental to building trust.
Mission (our purpose—or what we want our students to leave us with)
We dare to empower the whole student to profoundly impact our world.
Mission Impacts (how we will know we are moving toward our mission)
- Each student will innovatively adapt to evolving challenges.
- Each student will actively pursue learning that continually challenges them to grow and achieve their personal best.
- Each student will develop personal, social, and cultural competencies and apply them intentionally in their lives.
Vision (what our future will look like)
We are a dynamic, collaborative community of energized educators, engaged students and supportive partners with a passion for continuous learning.
Strategies (the most critical work needed to move toward our mission)
In pursuit of our mission and mission impacts:
- We will cultivate a collaborative culture that promotes intentional, mission-driven change.
- We will align our actions to our shared understanding of and commitment to the strategic plan.
- We will guarantee an ecosystem of equitable practices to meet the unique needs of all.
Strategic Delimiters (things that have tripped us up in the past—and we commit not to do going forward)
We will not:
- Allow past practices to create barriers to new and innovative ideas.
- Avoid conflict or difficult conversations, nor engage in problem solving through the lens of blame.
- Engage in initiatives that are misaligned with our mission
Our Principals
Principal - Brett Wiltz
Brett Wiltz
Principal
McAuliffe Families,
Welcome to McAuliffe Elementary School and another great school year! I am excited about continuing into my 5th year at this amazing school. My background has all been at the elementary school level including teaching 3rd and 4th grades, being a dean of students, an assistant principal, and principal. I love the excitement that students bring to school and the meaningful impact of early education. Personally I am lucky to be married to my high school sweetheart and care for our little zoo at home including cats, dogs, and horses.
We are fortunate at McAuliffe to have a dedicated staff who work cooperatively with our families to provide students exceptional instructional experiences that will improve student learning while providing an environment where all students feel supported, safe, and happy.
At McAuliffe, we encourage students to do their best, celebrate their academic growth, and let them see their “Unlimited” possibilities. McAuliffe serves as the STEM Pathway school for the East side of District 11. This means that we approach all aspects of education through a STEM mindset that encourages critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity.
We use an acronym, stating that as McAuliffe Comets we GLOW together. This refers to having a G rowth mindset, L earning by questioning, O bserving the world around us, and W orking together.
We are proud to be the first elementary school in District 11 to receive a “Purple Star School” designation, highlighting our commitment to supporting military-connected children. In addition, we are recipients of the CDE K-5 Health Pilot Grant providing much needed mental health and wellness support to our students and families through additional funding.
We look forward to you becoming a part of our McAuliffe team. It is our hope you become involved in our school and be an active participant in your child’s education. We invite you to become a member of our PTA and take advantage of one of our many volunteer opportunities.
During the year, if you have any questions, concerns or ideas on how to improve our school, please contact me by email at brett.wiltz@d11.org or contact the main office at (719) 228-0900 to make an appointment to speak with me.
Our school leadership is focused on creating a culture of excellence as we proudly serve the Cimarron Hills and Peterson Space Force Base communities. We look forward to meeting you all and working together to make this another incredible year at McAuliffe! Go COMETS!!!
Jenna Whitson
Mrs. Jenna Whitson
Hello, Comets!
My name is Jenna Whitson, and I am the new assistant principal at McAuliffe Elementary. I am so excited to be part of this wonderful community and staff. A little about me...
I was born and raised in Colorado Springs. My mother was a master teacher of over 40 years and taught most of her career in District 11. Her passion for teaching and love of children was passed down to me and I am happy to carry on that legacy for our family. I have been in education for 15 years. I have my Bachelors Degree in English with an elementary emphasis and a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. I have worked as a summer trainer for the Flippen Group for Capturing Kids' Hearts. I was the 2022 Teacher of the Year at my previous school in Falcon School District 49 and I was nominated for Colorado Teacher of the Year, 2022.
I was blessed to marry my best friend, Scott, in 2016 and we have two incredible children. My son is 6 years old and attends First Grade. My daughter is 3 years old and will be starting her first year in Preschool. Although I am extremely proud of my professional accomplishments, nothing tops being a wife and mother. My family is the center of my life and I am grateful to walk this life with them.
In my spare time, I enjoy sleeping... just kidding, I have two small children. What is sleep?! I enjoy running, doing mind and body exercises, reading, binge watching shows while eating ice cream (hence, why I need the running part), drinking Starbucks, and cuddling with my kids before bedtime. You can catch me cheering on the Broncos this fall!
I can't wait to meet you all and get to know all the wonderful families! McAuliffe is a very special place, and I am honored to be part of it. Let's go, Comets!
Contact Us
Christa McAuliffe Elementary School
830 Hathaway Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80915
Attendance: (719) 228-0936
Phone: (719) 228-0900
Fax: (719) 574-8372
Email: McAuliffe.ES@d11.org
Schedule a Tour - (click the button or call) - 719-228-0910
Fax: (719) 574-8372
Email: McAuliffe.ES@d11.org
Schedule a Tour - (click the button or call) - 719-228-0910
School Hours 7:50am-2:50pm
K - 5 First Day of school: August 12, 2024
Morning Preschool 7:50am-10:20am Afternoon Preschool 11:05am-2:50pm First Day of Preschool: August 13, 2024
Christa McAuliffe PTA
President: Elizabeth Walker
Vice President: Mikayla Harms
Treasurer: Sara Gebbia
Secretary: Amanda De La Rosa
Website Link:
