The new $27.9-million P-8 school on Aurora Public School’s P-20 Campus, designed by Slaterpaull/RB+B and being built by FCI Constructors, is scheduled to open in August 2010. (Rendering courtesy of Slaterpaull/RB+B, JV)

Last week, Aurora Public Schools broke ground on Colorado’s first preschool through college campus at 6th Avenue and Harvest Road in Aurora.

The $72-million, 100-acre project, funded through the district’s November 2008 $215-million bond, will have a preschool through eighth-grade school located next to the new high school. High school students will be able to graduate with an associate’s degree or an associate’s degree in applied sciences. The site plan includes the potential to add a community college in the future.

“The APS P-20 campus will be the first in the state to ensure a truly seamless continuum of instructional alignment from preschool through post-secondary,” said Dr. Janet Lopez, director of P-20 education initiatives, University of Colorado-Denver. “The advisory council, in partnership with the design team and the site-based team, will help create a campus that will prepare Aurora public students for success in life from preschool to graduate school and/or work in the 21st Century.”

Fort Collins’ RB+B Architects and Denver’s Slaterpaull Architects will design the P-8 school through a joint venture, which will be integrated with the other buildings on the P-20 campus. FCI Constructors of Longmont will serve as the general contractor. The P-8 school is scheduled to open in 2010, with the high school opening a year later. RTA/MOA joint venture will design the new high school. Aurora’s Adolfson & Peterson Construction has been selected as the general contractor.

“The campus will focus on 21st Century learning and skills starting in preschool and continuing beyond high school. In addition to preparing for success in college, students will have the chance to earn college credit and even degrees while they are still in high school,” said Rich Patterson, P-20 director of campus development. “The campus will be a cutting-edge model for 21st Century education, where students will participate in career pathways to prepare for college, careers and overall success in life.”

The campus follows the plan laid out by Senate Bill 212, the Colorado Achievement Plan for Kids.

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