- Meridian Ranch Elementary School
- Falcon Zone Overview
-
Falcon Zone has a strong tradition that dates back to 1900. That tradition carries on today with six highly successful schools: Falcon High, Falcon Middle, Falcon Elementary School of Technology, Woodmen Hills Elementary, Meridian Ranch Elementary, and Bennett Ranch Elementary. You can learn more about our history, traditions, and our vision for modern personalized learning here below.
Falcon Zone offers the following programs: Academy of Health Science, Academy of Finance, Academy of Information Technology, Air Force JROTC, FBLA, Distributive Education Clubs of America, Link Crew, National Honor Society, Student-to-Student program, and many others. The zone offers more than 20 advanced placement and CU Succeed Classes. Its schools performed well on CMAS and SAT.
While the Falcon Zone greatly honors tradition, we also embrace that our leaders today deserve a different learning experience from yesteryear - one that will prepare them to be successful in our ever-changing world.
Through Empower Falcon Zone (Empower FZ), we aim to empower our learners by offering three main things:
Engaging Environments
Enhanced Opportunities
Elevated Instruction
We want our students to have more voice and choice in their education. We desire to cater more to their interests and needs while at the same time providing them with unique, challenging, expanded, and blended learning opportunities.
Falcon Zone Schools
Falcon Zone Superintendent

Phone: 719.495.5525
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
MA - Educational Administration from the University of Denver Principal Licensure - University of Denver BS - Chemistry from Fort Lewis College Teacher Certification - Fort Lewis College
Brian Smith
Greetings, Falcon Zone!
My name is Brian Smith, and I am your Falcon Zone Superintendent. I am excited to embark on this new journey and lead an incredible zone of teachers, staff, and community as we empower our learners towards excellence. This is my 22nd year in District 49. I began my career as a Science Teacher at Falcon High School, where I taught Chemistry and Advanced Placement Chemistry. I also sponsored the Link Crew and announced for the Falcons at the football games. My next step took me to Skyview Middle School, where I served as an Assistant Principal. After two years there, I returned home to the Falcon Zone when I accepted the Principal position at Falcon Middle School. In the past 5 years, my role evolved into an Executive Principal role as I supervised the construction and planning for Bennett Ranch Elementary when it joined the Firebird Nation Campus. Now, as of November 1, 2022, I have accepted the opportunity to serve as our Falcon Zone Leader.
To give you some additional background, I grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona. I enjoyed my time there with family and friends, but the heat began to be too much. I will never forget the record 128 degree day when my friends and I fried an egg on the street! I moved to Durango, CO where I attended Fort Lewis College. I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry with a teaching certification. I enjoy the outdoors and use whatever time I can find to hike, fish, and ski. I consider myself an avid fisherman and particularly enjoy deep sea fishing! My recent trip to Cabo San Lucas provided me with my first experience of reeling in a 240-lb Marlin. I also attended the University of Denver, where I obtained my Masters in Educational Administration Degree with my Principal License certification.
Falcon Zone is an exceptional place for students, staff, and community. We care about the relationships we build with each and every member so that student learning is at the forefront. Our staff works incredibly hard to ensure that learning is personalized for our students so that they can demonstrate their achievement through what they know and can do. Each school is dedicated to excellence and success so that our Hawks, Tornadoes, Bulldogs, Bulls, Firebirds, and Falcons are ready for that next step in their life journey. I am committed to serving each of our schools, supporting our teachers and staff, prioritizing student achievement, and ensuring that each and every student becomes an Empowered Learner. Falcon Zone provides Engaging Environments, Enhanced Opportunities, and Elevated Instruction each and every day to empower our learners and propel them towards their future. That is what EmpowerFZ is all about and it is making a difference for our students.
Thank you for the opportunity to continue to serve this amazing community! I look forward to seeing you around our zone schools at various events in the coming weeks. Please don’t hesitate to come up and introduce yourself to me; I look forward to meeting and getting to know our community better! Together we can Engage, Enhance, and Elevate to Empower Falcon Zone Learners for tomorrow's opportunities.
Sincerely,
Brian Smith
Falcon Zone Superintendent
Empowering Moments from Superintendent Smith
-
Comments (0)
2014-2015 News in District 49
-
Father Shares Why Son’s Teacher Deserves Awards, Recognition
Patrick Jewell, father of second-grader Brett Jewell, 8, shares his appreciation for significant support needs teacher Dawnise Sandwick of Falcon Elementary School of Technology during a Board of Education meeting May 14 in District 49. Jewell wrote a nomination for Sandwick to receive a teacher appreciation scholarship from the Colorado Springs Down Syndrome Association.
Comments (0) -
FHS Students Honored At Annual Year-End Awards
Matthew Wentz, FHS class of 2015 salutatorian, was presented with an appointment to the United States Military Academy West Point during the annual ceremony. Wentz was also honored with a Coca-Cola scholarship, recognition from the American Chemical Society and named as outstanding senior student by the FHS business department May 5.
Comments (0) -
Students Sign Letters of Intent at FHS
Twelfth-grade student athletes signed letters of intent May 5 at Falcon High School.
Comments (0) -
Family Science Experiments At WHES Made Possible By Falcon Education Foundation
"I would really like to thank the Falcon Education Foundation for the opportunity and the huge grant that they awarded our school," said Paula Hinson, WHES project based learning instructor and GT coordinator. "The impact of that grant on what these kids are learning is huge."
Comments (0) -
One School, One Book
"One book, one school," a major initiative of Falcon Elementary School of Technology during the spring semester culminated with a school wide viewing of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on April 23. More than 300 students and family members attended the event, a celebration for parents, teachers, staff and students all reading the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Comments (0) -
District Battle of the Books Arms Students for Regional
Evans International Elementary School fifth-grader Alexis Gonzalez, 11, discusses a question about a story April 9 during a districtwide Battle of the Books competition at Evans International Elementary School in District 49.
Comments (0) -
Students Compete Against Teachers in Basketball Fundraiser
Fourth-grader Conner Ury, 10 competes against teacher Katherine Kessler March 19 during a student teacher basketball game.
Comments (0) -
JROTC Students Compete, Strengthen Relationships during PT Event
Twelfth-grader Jeffrey Brosious, 17, performs push-ups during the JROTC Physical Training Competition March 14 hosted by Falcon High School.
Comments (0) -
Jones Honored by BOE For Presidential Volunteer Service Award
Eleventh-grader Rileigh Jones, 16, of Falcon High School explains how she earned a Presidential Volunteer Service Award during “Fantastic 49” recognition March 12, ahead of a monthly Board of Education meeting in District 49.
Comments (0) -
HOSA Students Provide Valentine’s Day Focus on Heart Health
Meridith Jensen, a dispatcher and trainer for the El Paso Teller County E-911 Authority, explains how to use an automated external defibrillator Feb. 14 during hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation training at Falcon High School in District 49. The CPR training was part of student-led weekend activities, called “Pump It Up Falcon,” which focused on heart health.
Comments (0)