New school available for Buckley Family Housing residents

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Stephen Musal
  • 460th Space Wing Public Affairs
School-age dependants living in Buckley Family Housing remain in the Aurora Public Schools district this year, but if they are entering ninth grade or below, they have been assigned to a new school: the Vista PEAK Campus.

Vista PEAK is a P-20 campus, meaning eventually, students who begin school at Vista PEAK as preschoolers will be able to graduate with doctoral degrees. In the mean time, however, campus staff will work with incoming students to build an educational plan best suited to their learning ability and style, called the Individual Career and Academic Plan.

According to their website, p20.aurorak12.org, these plans are all a part of the campus vision, "to ensure every student who enters the Vista PEAK Campus graduates with a high school diploma, college credits and/or degrees, industry credentials and certifications in order to be successful in postsecondary and workforce experiences."

The campus implements this vision by sorting students into one of four career pathways, tailoring education to meet the goals students and parents set. These pathways are Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM); Business Adminsitration; Health Sciences and Art and Design. A more traditional education is available for those students who haven't yet decided on their future by selecting the Liberal Arts pathway. Additionally, students whose career and academic desires change can switch to another pathway.

Regardless of their pathway, the school's standard is that all students will be ready by the end of their senior year of high school for both college and the workforce.

According to the website, "All students will have access to rigorous courses that enable them to be ready for college and careers. We will align students' plans of study with Colorado Higher Education admissions requirements as well as career and technical courses."

A Grand Opening is scheduled for 5 p.m. Aug. 2 at the Vista PEAK P-8 Exploratory School, 24551 East 1st Avenue in Aurora. All prospective students, their parents and the local community are invited to view the campus and meet the staff. The fall semester begins Aug. 4.