Questions and Answers about new south area high school
How long has 27J Schools owned the land planned for a new high school at 96th Avenue and Reunion Parkway in Commerce City?
The district still does not own the land for the new high school as of November 2023. The 93.1-acre site identified for a school and community park site was dedicated to the city of Commerce City in April 2023. The allotted acreage for the school site is 48.6 with about 44.5 acres for a planned community park. The location of a high school on this site has long been part of the district’s master build-out plan as the original Planned Unit Development, including the dedication of a high school site, dates back to 2000.
What is the timeline for construction and opening of this new high school?
Construction of this new high school is tentatively scheduled to be completed in Summer 2027. The district has hired an architectural firm to begin pre-design work on this new school, including site analysis work. Full design work is tentatively set to begin in early 2024 with construction expected to begin in Summer 2025.
Will this be a standard comprehensive high school?
This high school is being planned as a comprehensive high school offering the academic programming, extracurricular sports and activities and STEM/CTE programs similar to what we have at our other high school locations. Due to present enrollment needs and increasing construction costs, it is planned to be constructed as a smaller high school with the opportunity for future expansion.
Given the size of the school site and its proximity to a planned city park site, is there a potential that some amenities, such as athletic fields, may need to be shared?
In order to achieve our desired comprehensive high school program that typically requires about 60 acres, we are discussing the potential for a joint use partnership where some amenities, such as athletic fields, could have shared use that benefits both the school’s needs and the city’s parks and recreation needs.
Is it true that this new high school will be designed to expand in the future?
Due to anticipated enrollment needs and the available budget, this high school will initially be designed and built to accommodate about 1,350 students. This is smaller than the district’s other three high schools, which can each accommodate about 2,000 students, but our schools are generally built to grow enrollment rather start at full capacity. The new high school will be built with traditional high school amenities including gym, cafeteria, performing arts space and Career and Technical Education learning space. The building will be designed to allow for future expansion based on available funding and enrollment needs.
How much is the design and construction of this new high school expected to cost?
Our current budget is $126 million. The construction of the first phase of this high school is being funded through a voter supported $515 million construction bond program approved by voters in 2021.
What grades will this new high school open with?
While this will be determined closer to the opening of this new school, 27J has generally opened its newer high schools with a gradual addition of grade levels. For example, the district’s most recent new high school, Riverdale Ridge High School, opened in 2018 with grades 6-10. In the case of RRHS, grades 6-8 were included to accommodate a need for middle school space as construction of a nearby middle school was completed.
Does this high school have a name?
The district will begin a naming process soon for this new school. The district’s Facility Planning Advisory Committee is responsible for this process and will establish naming criteria and seek nominations. Look for more information soon on how you can submit your suggestion.