Dear STEM School Highlands Ranch Community,
I wanted to share some exciting news with you. Over the last year, STEM has been looking for another property in the area to serve as the home of our P-TECH program. After searching and exploring a number of great real estate opportunities, we are so happy to share that we’ve purchased the Epoch Building that is located directly next door to our Elementary School on Barrons Blvd.
We are one of only a few schools in the state of Colorado approved as a P-TECH School (Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools). We currently offer the mechatronics pathway which allows students to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Mechatronics Engineering Technology degree from Arapahoe Community College. Added this year is the degree pathway for Cybersecurity and next year the health pathway will be added. Students begin in 9th grade and go through 13th or 14th grade (i.e. high school and two equivalent years of college). P-Tech provides college education, relevant workplace skills, and paid internships. A student who goes through the P-TECH program at STEM will not only graduate with their High School Diploma, but will also earn an industry-recognized associate degree and relevant workplace skills.
In addition to being the home of our P-TECH program, the 10,000 sq ft facility will also house the future home of the KOSON Network of Schools Offices, which is part of the fulfillment of our overarching Strategic Plan Goal. Space within our building has always been a prized commodity. With the additional space that this new building provides us, select non-student-related staff members will be moving to the new building to allow for additional classroom and student-centered spaces inside STEM’s K-12 building. Staff members that will be moving include our Business Office and select support staff personnel.
Additionally, as promised, we are continuing to operate under our Transition Plan to realign our resources to support our instructional model of Problem Based Learning. Not only does this realignment allow our administrators to be more present for our students, but it also allows for our Leadership Team to respond to the valuable feedback that our staff has been providing to our Staff Feedback Team. We’re happy to share that we’ve filled the position of Testing Coordinator, and are very close to announcing a new Dean and Communications Manager.
As promised in our Transition Plan, we will continue to evaluate any gaps that arise so that we are continuing to meet the needs of our students, staff and community. Thank you for your continued support of STEM!
Have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
P.J. Eucker PhD
Executive Director