Outbreaks shut down in-person learning at Douglas County schools

Five schools in the Douglas County School District have or will shut down in-person learning after a string of COVID-19 outbreaks.

Mountain Vista High School in Highlands Ranch closed Wednesday, following more than five outbreaks, spokesperson Paula Hans said. Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment defines an outbreak as two or more cases within a two-week period that suggest the virus has spread within a single facility.

Three other schools — Castle View High School in Castle Rock, Rocky Heights Middle School in Highlands Ranch and Sierra Middle School in Parker — closed Friday. Each had five outbreaks, Hans said.

The schools transitioned all students to remote learning for 14 days, after which they’re expected to return to full-time in-person learning.

Rock Canyon High School in Littleton will follow suit on Tuesday after the school saw more than five outbreaks, the district announced Friday. In-person classes will continue Monday for those students not in quarantine.

Middle and high school students spent most of the year on a hybrid schedule, attending classes in-person about two days per week. On March 22, after the district’s spring break, Douglas County reopened secondary institutions at full capacity.