Meet the 5 New Schools in Pueblo, CO
Additional facilities help Pueblo School District 60 continue a tradition of educational excellence.
Pueblo School District 60, the city’s public school system serving more than 16,000 students, is undergoing an exciting phase of expansion and progress with the addition of five new schools. Recognizing the evolving needs of the community and a growing student population, the district has embarked on a strategic initiative to enhance educational opportunities in Pueblo.
The introduction of these new facilities demonstrates a dedication to staying at the forefront of technology and future-focused educational practices and preparing students for personal and professional success.
“We are extremely proud of our five new schools, including an expeditionary school that marks a first for the district. Within these state-of-the-art buildings, our scholars will be exposed to educational and extracurricular activities not previously available in our aging buildings,” says Charlotte Macaluso, superintendent of Pueblo School District 60.
As a result of the new facilities, the district’s career and technical education (CTE) offerings have expanded, as have opportunities for musical and drama presentations in spaces that resemble professional theaters as much as school auditoriums and gymnasiums, she says.
In This Article
Pueblo East High School
With an enrollment of some 1,000 students, Pueblo East High School offers a dynamic and enriching educational experience within its expansive 185,000 square feet of learning space.
The school features a state-of-the-art kitchen equipped with industry-standard equipment, providing students with hands-on experience in culinary arts. The student-run Decaccino Cafe and Golden Feather Restaurant serve as cross-curricular spaces for marketing and hospitality work-based learning programs. The school’s CTE programs also benefit from a manufacturing lab, a welding studio and a Teacher Cadet program, which offers a pathway into the education field.
Sunset Park Elementary School
The 55,000-square-foot school, serving 400 students in grades K-5, features a Special Leadership Lab, which will serve as the headquarters for the school’s Action Team news. The lab is equipped with a green screen to produce high-quality news segments, keeping students and staff informed about special events and opportunities while teaching students about teamwork and communication.
Sunset Park seamlessly incorporates technology into the curriculum with Promethean boards installed in every classroom. The school’s gymnasium, which doubles as an auditorium, features a large screen and provides a venue for hosting impactful gatherings for Sunset Park’s students.
The elementary school is also recognized for its commitment to leadership development, having been Pueblo’s first school to implement Leader in Me, an initiative to teach students 21st century life and leadership skills.
Franklin School of Innovation
The forward-thinking Franklin School of Innovation, a K-5 elementary school, boasts two innovation labs equipped with 3D printers, engraving machines and poster makers, as well as a makerspace lab for coding – all of which foster a supportive environment for students to explore, create and apply their ideas.
The school takes pride in being an Early Literacy Grant school, a Performance School, an Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) school and a Project Lead the Way Distinguished School, focusing on project-based learning in STEM disciplines. Other programs include the Bobcat Ambassador Program, which pairs fifth-grade peer mentors with younger students, giving those students valuable leadership, teamwork and communication skills.
Pueblo Centennial High School
The 185,000-square-foot Pueblo Centennial High School serves over 800 students and features cutting-edge classroom and laboratory spaces that give students real-world experience in preparation for college and careers.
Examples include a construction lab equipped with a laser cutter; a Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA)/Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) store run by students in the business program that helps foster business acumen; and a health studio certified by the Colorado State Nursing Board.
In fact, the school’s Health Academy offers programming that helps train the next generation of health care workers, including nursing aides, medical assistants, phlebotomists and EKG and pharmacy technicians.
Nettie S. Freed K-8 Expeditionary School
The school’s commitment to innovative education is evident in its unique facilities, which include a Creation Cave and the Design Den. These spaces serve as hubs for exploratory CTE programming across all grade levels that give students real-world learning experiences.
Unlike traditional “woodshop” setups, these areas enable the school to offer a variety of CTE programs in the same space, fostering a holistic approach to hands-on learning.
All classrooms are strategically positioned around a central base camp and feature garage doors that can be opened to create shared spaces, encouraging constant collaboration among students and teachers.
Q&A with District 60 Superintendent
Charlotte Macaluso’s tenure as superintendent of Pueblo School District 60 has been marked by a commitment to fostering academic excellence, innovation and inclusivity within the district. Under her guidance, the school district has grown both in size and services while enhancing educational programs, integrating modern technologies and promoting community engagement.
She shares her thoughts on the district’s recent building projects, how the district is able to cater to its diverse student population and why the future is bright for Pueblo School District 60.
How has the addition of new facilities enabled the district to improve services and education opportunities for students?
We are proud to say that all five new buildings are energy efficient, with natural lighting that will further negate the need for additional electricity use. Not only aesthetically pleasing, but the buildings are also conducive to comfortable learning. Outdoor learning spaces complement the expanded career and technical education offerings, in the form of new kitchens, wood and metal shops, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) spaces, and more.
How is the school district able to serve students with various interests and abilities?
In every building of our district, an overriding objective is to provide a safe and supportive environment that addresses the needs of each and every scholar. Cognizant of the fact that no two scholars are the same, our educators and leaders are ready to meet all scholars on the level they presently are at, with the goal of advancement and improvement through the educational process.
What are some unique programs/services offered by the district?
One of the district’s most appealing features is the fact that we offer something for everyone. In addition to our athletic teams, the district is home to thriving musical and performance programs, Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) and award-winning CTE programs. Our middle and high schools offer a variety of clubs and after-school activities that attract scholars with a variety of interests, from Key Club to Newman Club to Yearbook Club. Our Gifted and Talented program and Exceptional Student Services provide for the unique needs of a host of scholars.
We also have experienced great results through our STEM courses, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement and Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) programs and work diligently to steer scholars into the programs that will be of best benefit.
What would you want families to know about the school district before moving to Pueblo?
It’s our overriding goal to prepare scholars to live a life that is full of purpose and impact. And we take that mission seriously, as demonstrated by the unwavering commitment of every staff member.
We not only prepare our scholars to succeed academically, but provide the opportunities – clubs, and programs, athletic events, volunteering – that allow them to develop the vital social and soft skills that will prove to be essential at every step.
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