Cherry Creek District School Has Huge Footprint
When our family moved from Craig to Denver in 1980, we were advised of the predominance and excellence of the Cherry Creek School District. We purchased a home in the district, our son Patrick was enrolled in West Middle Elementary School and our daughter Susan, now Co-Publisher of The Villager, enrolled as a Junior in Cherry Creek High School. Patrick played basketball and lacrosse, moving on to graduate from The University of Colorado after a semester at The University of London, receiving straight A’s. Susan attributes her academic years at Cherry Creek High School as her success graduating from CSU with a degree in Journalism. Garrett Ray, the former publisher of The Littleton Independent, was one of her professors. She graduated on a Saturday and started work at the newspaper on Monday morning. They both have high praise for Cherry Creek High School and attribute the extensive homework to their university success. Back in the early days CCHS was the major district school followed by Smoky Hill, Overland, Eaglecrest, et al. and today a total of eight high schools across the district along with The Career and Technical (CTE) Education campus that provides occupational skills and industrial level vocational certification credentials for graduates to find jobs after graduation.The CTE program starts as early as the 7th grade. I have visited this exceptional vocational facility and observed students working on real projects, such as automotive mechanics. Our governmental reporter Freda Miklin, who had five students attend CCHS, and myself, toured the school when U.S. Senator Cory Gardner visited and spoke. In addition, CCSD provides complete education in STEAM-A-Palooza an advanced program bringing thousands of students to explore science, technology, engineering arts, and math.
We’re celebrating the 75th Anniversary of The Cherry Creek School District that now stretches across a vast area of Arapahoe County. We’ve been working on this special edition for several months, well before the current school board election. The Villager was a neighbor to CCHS for 40 years with offices across the street from the academic offices.
In more recent times we joined with the South Metro Denver Chamber at Streets of SouthGlenn to share office space and become a platinum member of the powerhouse chamber. Back at CCHS, Tuston Amole, Rocky Mountain News famous columnist’s daughter, handled the media and became good friends with Villager publisher Gerri Sweeney. We admired longtime principal Henry Cotton, who was an iconic leader of the high school. At noon we would see 100s of students walk by our office building on the way to lunch at King Soopers, China Lee, or some of the Union Exchange building tenants.
We worked in harmony with the district for decades. I was a founding member of the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation, along with community leaders such as Edie Marks, et al, and we had Nancy Spence as our chair with a goal of having every child in the district reading at the third-grade level.
The Foundation today holds fund raising events and is accepting tax-free contributions for special programs.
District taxpayers have been very loyal in support of the district and recently, at the last election, passed a significant bond issue for the district’s ongoing academic demands including an upgrade for beloved Cherry Creek high school.
This year the district has enrolled 53,000 students from preschool through the 12th grade. A chart in today’s special Villager section walks through the growth and success of the district. Today, the district is the 4th largest in Colorado with 43 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, eight high schools, and the Innovation Campus (CCIC), a huge successful operation for job training.
The district is supervised by a public elected school board who serve as unpaid volunteers with four-year terms and a limit of 2 four year terms. There is a spirited school board election ongoing with four candidates seeking election on Nov. 4. with four forums having been held.
I had a school teacher mother, a 30-year, third-grade teacher in Craig, and then was elected Moffat County School Superintendent for another 12 years before her retirement. I served six years as a trustee of The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) and was a strong supporter of the Teaching Lab School and Vocational Education Department. Both eventually closed by the University, but we did start the new business school. I served six years as a board member of the Rick’s School at The University of Denver for gifted and talented students.
Higher education is being challenged at many levels across America. I see Denver and Douglas County schools consistently in turmoil, while I see relatively calm and consistent success with the Cherry Creek School District and their ability to work with the Teachers Union. In the 43 years of publishing The Villager, I’ve not observed any major disputes in the district at any levels.
As I move around the district almost daily, I encounter many Cherry Creek high school graduates and they all speak with pride about their high school education at CCHS. At least two CCHS graduates are seeking GV city council positions in this year’s election. One a potential future GV mayor.
The CCSD academic and athletic achievements have been numerous and remarkable.
I’m not endorsing any candidates in the upcoming election. Thank those who have served. Voters can view the 4 forums, read the newspapers and websites, and decide for themselves.
This is a very successful school district, thanks to many board members, and outstanding teachers, administrators, volunteers and families.
Keep moving forward!