Community College of Aurora and Aurora Public Schools have partnered to construct Colorado’s first health science high school that aims to offer high school students early exposure to careers in healthcare and the workforce.
The project will be funded by a $1 billion bond voters approved in November, according to ABC affiliate KMGH.
The school, which has not yet been named, will enable students to access various pathways in healthcare education to help prepare them for real-world opportunities in the industry, according to a news release.
These pathways include nursing, behavioral health, medical imaging (X-ray focus), respiratory therapy and surgical technology.
“We are really excited about this project because we understand that students are asking for more hands-on learning, particularly in healthcare,” Lisa Adams, EdD, the director of career and technical education at APS, told CBS News. “What could be better than upskilling our students, preparing our students for their future, but also upskilling the community?”
Through a partnership with CCA, students in each pathway will be concurrently enrolled in college-level courses, according to CBS.
Students will receive hands-on experience, industry certification and training in each field via a collaboration with Aurora-based UCHealth. This aims to prepare them for healthcare fields that serve Aurora and the surrounding area.
“Students will not just learn the theory behind healthcare, they will have the chance to work directly with medical professionals in real-world environments, including simulation labs and clinical settings,” David Mafe, chief diversity officer and vice president of human resources at UCHealth, told CBS.
CCA President Mordecai Ian Brownlee, EdD, said in the release, “At CCA, we are committed to providing students with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed. Our partnership with APS Health Science High School reflects this commitment, offering students invaluable early exposure to careers and the workforce.”
The magnet school, which will be located near North Middle School in Aurora, is slated to open in fall 2027.
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