COMMERCE CITY — This community’s first new high school in 40 years is a technological and educational marvel, say school and city officials, and offers hope to a district and city often seen as down on its luck.
“This school changes everything,” said City Councilwoman Reba Drotar. “It’s a miracle.”
Emerging on the northeast corner of East 72nd Avenue and Quebec Parkway is the $64 million school — still unnamed — that will open in August 2009 for 1,600 students.
Students will choose from four academies — International Baccalaureate, early college, science and technology, and arts.
The early college academy is particularly unique, said John Lange, Adams 14 superintendent. The district is joining with three community colleges — Front Range, Community College of Denver and Community College of Aurora — as well as Johnson and Wales University to offer post- secondary classes. This will allow students to get a high school diploma as well as a community-college degree or certification.
Metro State College and Colorado State University also will offer courses. In addition, several local companies will work with the school to offer internships, Lange said.
Some of the schools features are a 500-seat theater with full orchestra pit, a 2,000-seat gymnasium, a 2,200- seat football/soccer/lacrosse stadium with synthetic turf, a wellness clinic and wireless technology.
Most importantly, the school will be a hub for the city, said officials. Parents and grandparents can take continuing-education classes, while teens will see opportunities where there were few before, Drotar said.
Monte Whaley: 720-929-0907 or mwhaley@denverpost.com
