Colorado Early Colleges Fort Collins (CECFC) has announced the relocation and expansion of its high school after reaching record-breaking enrollment numbers. The tuition-free charter school will update and remodel the former Advanced Energy building on Innovation Drive in Fort Collins, set to open its doors in August.
Since its start in 2012, enrollment at CECFC has grown by an average of 42.4 percent each year, with 900 students from across Northern Colorado choosing CECFC over traditional public schools, homeschooling or other charter schools. In 2015, Newsweek Magazine ranked CECFC first among Colorado high schools in post-secondary readiness. CECFC achieved the No. 2 ranking in 2016.
It is the top school in Northern Colorado working with all students grades 6-12 to capitalize on the opportunity to earn an associate degree at multiple colleges at no cost to families. 72 percent of the 2016 graduating class earned an associate degree and/or certification, and 75 percent of 2017 graduates are on pace to do the same.
CECFC has hired The Neenan Company, a design-build firm based in Fort Collins, to update and remodel the industrial building to meet the needs of the high school. Construction is already underway on the 91,000 square-foot space which will include the following:
Large, flexible maker space for students to build and work with their hands
Construction Science space for various trade education such as electrical, plumbing, woodworking and more
Space to accommodate additional college courses taught through Front Range and Aims Community Colleges
Custom kitchen to prepare healthy food from scratch
Gymnasium
500-seat auditorium
Fully-equipped music room
Bookstore
Tutoring center
Full health clinic
Expanded classrooms, offices and open spaces for students
The CECFC middle school is located at 4512 Mcmurry Avenue, a building it shares with T.R. Paul Academy of Arts & Knowledge (TPAAK). TPAAK will move into the former CECFC high school building at 4800 Wheaton Drive over the summer, making room for the middle school expansion and Colorado Early Learning Pre-School, a CEC partner school.
“Over the years, we have seen students excel with our model and are proud to help these students gain hope for their future through the opportunities that are offered on the CECFC campus,” said Sandi Brown, head of school for CECFC. “We focus on the whole student – from education to professionalism and the new additions to our facility help us expand and empower student success through additional programming, nutrition, music, making and more.”
CECFC’s mission is to ensure that each student in their diverse population, regardless of background or skill level, is prepared in mind, body and character to succeed in their academic and professional pursuits. Following the CEC model, college-ready students at CECFC are concurrently enrolled in high school and in local colleges to gain valuable college credit.
For more information visit fortcollins.coloradoearlycolleges.org or call 970-377-0044.