In a landmark event for the North Metro area as well as the City of Westminster, Westminster Public Schools recently celebrated the grand opening of the Iver C Ranum An Innovation Campus on August 13th when it welcomed students to the campus on the first day of school. This newly renovated facility, which saw a $20 million transformation from its former life as a high school and middle school, now stands as a cutting-edge CTE/STEM campus. With specialized pathways in aviation/aerospace engineering, biomedical technology, and cybersecurity, the campus is poised to revolutionize career and technical education (CTE) for our students.

 

The excitement was palpable as the first students walked through the front doors on the first day of school. They were greeted with a festive atmosphere complete with music, balloons, and a deejay, making the grand opening a memorable occasion. "This is the first campus of its kind in the North Metro area," said CTE Administrator Lottie Wilson, who has been a driving force behind the project.

 

"This is a dream that has been a long time coming. We had outgrown the high school space at Westy. Now, this offers more possibilities for our students to grow and thrive."

 

The facility is designed with state-of-the-art equipment and modern construction, tailored to provide students with the tools they need to excel. The campus promises job credentialing and concurrent college enrollment opportunities, accelerating students' career paths following graduation. Westminster High School anticipates that over 300 of its students will take courses at the new facility this year alone.

 

“Every pathway we have has concurrent enrollment credit and ends with an industry certificate,” states Dr. Jeni Gotto, WPS Superintendent in a CBS News 4 interview. “Some of those industry certificates are the same thing that the adults in those fields have to have to work; so it will ready them for a position the day after graduation." Even though the courses and certificates are designed for industry, Gotto makes it clear that this will also help lead students to their college aspirations if they choose.

 

Ryan McCoy, Executive Director of Advancement and Strategic Partnerships, emphasized the broader impact of the campus. "We know that it will be a regional hub for training in things like advanced manufacturing, construction, HVAC, electrical, and so on. These are the jobs of the future. And we are meeting that demand right here in our school district. Soon, it will become a multigenerational campus for adult learners seeking job upskilling and credentialing, as well.”

 

The grand opening marks the completion of Phase 1 of the project, with plans already in place for Phases 2 and 3, which aim to introduce even more pathways. "We are also proud of the possibility of the facility. We can meet industry demand and help our students get ready for the best-starting wages right out of school whether they decide they want to go to college or go right into the workforce." Wilson added.

 

Senior Savannah Lewis is taking 2 pathways this semester in aerospace engineering and cybersecurity. “I love my teachers Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Figueroa. Plus, I am looking forward to starting my career as an aerospace engineer tech following graduation.” Mr. Scott Troy is the Biomedical Technology teacher rounding out the three instructors working at Ranum this year.

 

The Iver C Ranum Innovation Campus represents a significant investment in the future of Westminster Public Schools' students, providing them with unparalleled opportunities to gain hands-on experience in high-demand fields. As the first of its kind in the region, it sets a new standard for CTE/STEM education and prepares students for the jobs of tomorrow.

 

Take a look at the CBS News Story on the Ranum Innovation Campus opening!