[1] The first school in Colorado Springs was organized by Mary Mellen "Queen" Palmer, wife of city founder William Jackson Palmer, in late 1871.

Classes were first held in a home on the northeast corner of Cascade Avenue and Bijou Street, rented by Mrs. Palmer for the school.

[2]: 26  The district enrollment passed 1000 by 1883[2]: 37  and stood at 1776 on opening day of the Colorado Springs High School building in 1893.

[2]: 59  (That building was razed in 1938 to make way for construction of Palmer High School.)

[2]: 78  The district saw modest growth between 1920 and 1940, then a large boom following World War II.