Oct. 9, 2026
AURORA, Colo. – Yesterday, construction began on a new health sciences high school launched by a partnership between the Community College of Aurora (CCA), Aurora Public Schools (APS), and UCHealth. APS will open the magnet school in August 2027 with enrollment starting Nov. 13, 2026. The coalition of partners opening the school celebrated with a community groundbreaking ceremony yesterday at its future location in northwest Aurora near North Middle School: 12001 E. 22nd Ave.
One of the greatest privileges of my time at CCA has been working alongside leaders throughout Aurora who understand that none of us can transform lives alone,
said CCA President Dr. Mordecai Brownlee. The most meaningful work happens when education, industry, and community come together around a shared vision. Soon, students will walk into this school knowing that some of the region’s most significant healthcare education and career opportunities are right here in their community.
Hailey Jolly, an APS middle school student, spoke at the groundbreaking ceremony about her intention to enroll in the first class at the new health sciences high school.
Once completed, the school will be the state’s first health sciences magnet high school. Colorado Governor Jared Polis attended the groundbreaking to comment on the significance of this first-ever project.
Now high school students can take advantage of a new partnership between Aurora Public Schools, the Community College of Aurora, and UCHealth to begin healthcare career training early. This is a great way to keep high schoolers engaged and prepare them for success. Healthcare is an innovative industry in Colorado, and soon more students will be able to get a great start towards successful careers in healthcare. This new high school is good for Colorado students, our state’s healthcare workforce, and all Coloradans seeking care,
said Gov. Polis.
The high school will offer a specialized curriculum that prepares students for careers in healthcare and allied health. Unlike many selective health sciences high schools, it will have no GPA cutoff requirements and no entrance exam. Open to all, students will choose one these five career and technical education pathways for their education:
- Nursing
- Behavioral health
- Medical imaging
- Surgical technology
- Respiratory therapy
UCHealth will help students turn classroom learning into real-world experience and build a foundation for successful careers in healthcare across the five pathways. Students will learn from UCHealth professionals by participating in workplace visits, job shadowing, simulations, and supervised clinical rotations. These opportunities will allow students to apply what they learn and explore a range of healthcare careers, graduating with practical experience, industry connections and a clearer path to college or employment.
Colorado’s future healthcare workforce starts by giving students early, meaningful opportunities to see themselves in these careers,
said Tom Gronow, president and CEO of UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital. By working alongside UCHealth clinicians, students can put classroom lessons into practice and envision a clearer pathway for themselves after high school.
With approximately 125 students per grade level, the school will provide a small, personalized learning environment where teachers teach core subjects like math and science directly through a healthcare lens.
Introducing Career Pathways During High School
Such specialized education makes it possible for students to graduate with more than just a high school diploma. Through Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) and concurrent enrollment with CCA, students can also earn industry credentials at little to no cost, including:
- Nursing certifications, like Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Medical Assistant (MA), EKG Certification, Phlebotomy, and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Stackable behavioral health assistant certificates at level I and level II
- Credentials to become an X-ray technician, surgical technician, and sterile processing technician
- An Associate of Applied Science degree (AAS) in Respiratory Therapy
Together, these academic opportunities create seamless pathways for students to continue their education at CCA or enter the workforce with industry-recognized skills and credentials. By equipping students with high-demand career pathways while still in high school, local youth are empowered with strong economic mobility.
In APS, we believe our responsibility is to create opportunities that allow every student to see what is possible for their future, and to provide them with real pathways to get there,
said Michael Giles, Jr., APS superintendent. This partnership with UCHealth and the Community College of Aurora is a powerful example of what Destination APS is all about: bringing education, higher education, and industry together to open doors for our students. We are creating opportunities right here in Aurora that can change the trajectory of our students’ lives and strengthen our community for generations to come.
Looking Ahead to the First Day of School
The APS Board of Education is expected to vote on an official name for the school this month. The school originated in the 2024 voter-approved bond that funds projects like this one. The school will also reflect the community it will serve. With 56% Hispanic enrollment in APS and 77.8% of multilingual learners speaking Spanish, the school has potential to develop a healthcare workforce that better reflects the region’s diverse communities.
That impact is taking shape today, with Bryan Construction laying the foundation for the school just down the street from one of the most powerful medical ecosystems in the nation. The three-story, 89,000-square-foot facility will include educational features like simulation X-ray machines, operating rooms, patient care areas, ambulance training spaces, and immersive learning labs. Designed with floor layouts that mimic real healthcare environments with zones separated by care types, it is currently the only health sciences magnet school in the state of Colorado.
Bryan Construction is proud to build schools that support both academic and career pathways, helping young people stay engaged, find purpose, and graduate with industry certifications that give them a jump start on their future. We’re excited to see Aurora Public Schools growing with the construction of this new magnet school created in partnership with UCHealth and the Community College of Aurora,
said Bryan Construction Vice President Brandon Orna. Our work with APS and architect Cannon Design demonstrates the power of partnership to build opportunities for the future of healthcare in Aurora.
At CCA, education meets students where they are and helps them understand how their learning today connects to where they want to go tomorrow. This partnership embodies that mission. The high school’s imminent opening is a testament to the commitment of APS, CCA, and UCHealth to provide innovative and equitable educational opportunities. The project reflects the aspirations expressed by students, and the community is excited to see these plans are now taking shape.
About the Community College of Aurora
The Community College of Aurora (CCA) provides high-quality instruction and student support services to Aurora, Centennial, and Denver, Colorado. With a vision to aspire to be a college where every student succeeds, CCA is the most diverse college in the State of Colorado. Focused on creating social and economic mobility for its students, the college offers courses on three campuses, online, and through its high school concurrent enrollment programs. For more information, visit www.ccaurora.edu.
About Aurora Public Schools
Aurora Public Schools is the fifth largest school district in Colorado. We serve approximately 38,000 students across more than 60 schools. We’re one of the most diverse districts in the state with students from more than 130 countries who speak over 160 languages. We believe that learning opportunities should be as varied and diverse as the world our students live in. Our dedicated teachers and staff work with our community to break down barriers so that students can engage to their fullest potential. To learn more about how APS is a destination district for Aurora families where students are empowered to shape their own paths forward, visit aurorak12.org.
About UCHealth
UCHealth is a nationally recognized nonprofit health system that pushes the boundaries of medicine through advanced treatments and clinical trials, improving health through innovation and providing unmatched patient care in the Rocky Mountain West. Investing $1.6 billion in community benefits including $762 million in uncompensated and charity care each year, UCHealth is Colorado’s largest Medicaid provider and dedicated to the communities it serves. With the region’s only adult academic medical center, University of Colorado Hospital on the CU Anschutz campus, UCHealth includes 38,000 employees, 15 acute-care hospitals and thousands of physicians across Colorado, Wyoming and western Nebraska.
About Bryan Construction, Inc.
Bryan Construction serves commercial and federal markets with projects across the U.S. and abroad. Ranked by ENR as a Top 400 General contractor, our expertise includes education, healthcare, multifamily housing, affordable housing, aerospace and defense, manufacturing, niche construction, and renovations of all sizes. We outpace our peers by maintaining a people-first, collaborative culture built on communication and trust. As Bryan Construction continues to grow across Colorado and key national markets, we remain focused on developing strong leaders who support our teams, strengthen our operations, and drive our purpose forward.
Contact
Courtney Butler
Executive Director of Strategic Communications and Special Initiatives
Strategic Communications and Alumni Engagement
P: 303-340-7201 | E: [email protected]