Photo by PHILIP B. POSTON/Sentinel Colorado
AURORA | The Cherry Creek School District is set to break ground Wednesday on expanding the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus.
This project will enable the campus to accommodate 70% more high school students in grades 10-12 and introduce nine new in-demand career pathways, Cherry Creek School District officials said in a statement.
The expansion is funded by a bond-issue approved by the district voters during the November 2024 election.
Currently, the Innovation Campus offers pathways in advanced manufacturing, business services, health and wellness, hospitality and tourism, infrastructure and engineering, IT and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), and transportation (automotive and aviation). The new additions will include programs in mechatronics, avionics, creative industries (film, editing, sound, production), emergency medical technician (EMT), veterinary technology, HVAC, welding, and expanded transportation options.
The expansion will also feature a 500-person events center designed to enhance the culinary and hospitality careers by providing hands-on learning opportunities.
Built in 2019 with strong community backing, the campus has grown in popularity among students and remains a vital component of the district’s commitment to preparing students for future careers, according to district officials.
The groundbreaking follows months of collaboration with community members, industry advisors, and educational experts through local and national site visits.
The Innovation Campus’s impact has gained international recognition. HundrED, an organization dedicated to advancing quality education, named it one of the world’s top 100 most innovative and impactful programs and one of the top 10 in the United States. Cherry Creek is the only K-12 public school district in the U.S. to receive this honor.
IF YOU GO:
When: 12:30 p.m. – 1 p.m. Jan. 8
Where: Cherry Creek Innovation Campus, 8000 S. Chambers Road