How Adams County Public Schools Are Pioneering Colorado Workforce Development
In Adams County, Colorado, it’s impossible to discuss the strength of the region’s workforce without mentioning the backbone of the community – its public-school systems.
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Success in Stargate and Beyond
Serving over 30,000 students in 55 schools across Adams and Broomfield counties, Adams 12 Five Star Schools is home to Stargate School, a K-12 charter institution that’s ranked the top public high school in Colorado by Niche.
Robert Cable, the high school’s principal, says the key to Stargate’s success is differentiation. Every student follows a unique path tailored to their strengths and interests.
“Our mission is to support our students – academically, socially and emotionally – to help develop their character and to inspire a lifelong love of learning,” Cable says. “We have the flexibility to work with students to see where their strengths lie and what their passions and interests are and then develop a program that meets their needs.”
To better prepare students for future careers, the district also opened the FutureForward CTE Building at Washington Square, which expanded career and technical education (CTE) offerings by 80%.
The Academies at Adams 14
Supporting the region’s workforce development efforts, Adams County School District 14 introduced The Academies at Adams 14 program. Based on industry surveys and analysis of local workforce needs, the school district launched four academies with eight career pathways.
“We partner with local industry to help students build connections and undertake the learning required to enter into an internship, an apprenticeship, employment or continue their education to join the workforce at a later time,” says Leah Gorowicz, specialist of work-based learning for Adams County School District 14.
Gorowicz says each pathway includes opportunities for industry-aligned projects, hands-on learning and use of current industry-level equipment. Students are given the opportunity to earn industry certifications as well as college credits prior to graduation.
Another partnership with Careers in Construction gives students across multiple districts, including districts 14 and 27J, access to networking and career opportunities. The group also provides funding for materials and curriculum support for teachers.
27J’s CTE Advantage
Where some school districts funnel students to a single CTE campus, 27J Schools in Brighton takes a different approach by integrating CTE centers directly into each high school. Brighton High School, for example, boasts one of the state’s oldest agriculture programs and recently underwent a $34 million, 55,000-square-foot building expansion to allow for more CTE and STEM offerings.
“Nationwide, we are experiencing a skilled labor shortage, and CTE has become the buzzword. Colorado is no different. We polled the business community and our students and looked at the job outlook and the talent pipeline not only in our region but in the entire state, and we decided to heavily invest in CTE and build CTE centers at all of our high schools,” says Michael Burke, director of CTE for 27J Schools.
Burke says students have access to dual enrollment through local colleges as well as work-based learning opportunities. Students can also earn stackable industry credentials that will enable them to go straight into a well-paying job right out of high school.
Pathways Program Creates Opportunities
Partnerships between education and business are essential to the Adams County region’s workforce development efforts. Another prime example is the Commerce City Workforce Pathway Program, which aims to equip residents with the skills needed for the growing local job market.
The initiative offers a range of services, including career counseling, job readiness training, GED preparation courses and English as a second language classes. These services are tailored to meet the needs of both job seekers and employers, particularly in areas, such as construction, IT, logistics, manufacturing and health care.
Officials believe the initiative will not only address current employment needs but also lay the foundation for a resilient and adaptable workforce in the future.
Adult Education Elevates Community
Westminster Public Schools (WPS) believes its role in education doesn’t end at high school graduation. The district partners with Front Range Community College to provide an adult education program at the WPS’ Iver C. Ranum Innovation Campus. The program offers one-year certificate programs in electrical engineering technology and automation engineering.
“Our community has always been a working-class community. I grew up in this footprint, and we are the backbone of America,” says Ryan McCoy, chief of advancement and strategic partnerships for Westminster Public Schools. “With this program, we’re looking to elevate the entire community.”
The district is also expanding health science programs, adding CNA, medical assistant, EKG tech and phlebotomy certifications with future plans for pharmacy tech and LPN pathways. Aerospace, aviation and biotechnology are also on the horizon.
Drone Dreams
STEM and soccer collide in Westminster Public Schools
When it comes to innovation in education, Westminster Public Schools proves the sky is truly the limit. In 2023, Westminster High School students were among the team members chosen to represent the U.S. in the Drone Soccer World Championship in South Korea, putting their skills to the test on a global stage.
Some students compare the fast-paced game to Quidditch in the Harry Potter books. But in this game, there’s no magic, just science. Students pilot small, cage-protected drones, maneuvering them through the air to score goals while dodging and defending against the opposition.
“Our students were extremely nervous and excited, but they took advantage of the opportunity, which was really nice to see,” says Ryan McCoy, chief of advancement and strategic partnerships for Westminster Public Schools.
McCoy says the school district’s demographics include about 84% students of color, and some students suffer from imposter syndrome, a psychological experience where individuals doubt their abilities and accomplishments, despite external evidence to the contrary.
“But we have faculty members who truly believe in these students and champion them the whole way,” McCoy says.
The drone soccer program sits within the aviation engineering career pathway. Students enrolled in this path are also exposed to fields, such as advanced manufacturing, computer information systems and cybersecurity. They gain valuable skills sought after by local companies including Ball Corp., Xcel Energy and United Power.
“The skills gained, from advanced mathematics to dexterity, can be applied to automation engineering, robotics and industrial maintenance and prepares students for careers in industries that rely on automated equipment like health care and manufacturing,” McCoy says.
Get to Know Adams County
Want to learn more about living and working in Adams County, CO? Check out the latest edition of Livability Adams County, Colorado.