The Cherry Creek (Colo.) school district has begun construction of the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus in Greenwood Village.
The 117,000-square-foot campus will house enhanced college- and career-based programs for 11th and 12th grade students throughout the district.
"We are committed to college preparedness," says Cherry Creek Superintendent Harry Bull. "Are we making the same commitment to prepare students for careers? This really is about fulfilling our mission for every single student in the Cherry Creek School District."
As home to advanced career-based programs, the Innovation Campus expands the career and technical programs available to students from Cherry Creek's seven high schools. The district partnered with the Colorado Workforce Development Council to identify the seven career pathways, including advanced manufacturing, business services, culinary/hospitality, health services, infrastructure engineering, IT/STEAM, and transportation.
In addition, students will have opportunities for off-site internships and apprenticeships for hands-on experience in various potential career fields.
The facility will have a variety of learning environments and social spaces—from traditional classrooms for instruction, to more intense labs and industry-specific spaces that support real-world training or trade certification programs.
High-bay labs provide flexible spaces for experimentation and exploration with direct access to sheltered outdoor work areas.
An ‘i-commons’ at the heart of the campus is designed to encourage interdisciplinary interactions through circulation and breakout areas outside the specific learning labs.
Students who plan to attend college can take dual-enrollment courses to earn credit toward a college degree. Students entering the workforce or the military can learn skills or trades that help prepare them for their careers. And students who have not decided on a career path can explore interests and develop skills that will give them a competitive advantage when they enter the workforce.
The facility is expected to open in 2019-20. The architect is DLR Group, and the builder is JHL Constructors.
