Cherry Creek School District Celebrates 75th Anniversary, Expanded Teacher Apprenticeship Program as it Kicks Off 2025-26 School Year

Aurora, Colo. - This week, the Cherry Creek School District will celebrate 75 years and welcome back nearly 53,000 students from preschool through 12th grade. As a top performing school district in Colorado and the nation, CCSD celebrates this historic anniversary and commits to continued excellence for each and every student in the years to come.

In 1950, CCSD formed with eight schools, eight principals, three buses, 43 teachers, and 1,253 students. Today, it is Colorado’s fourth largest district with 43 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, eight high schools, the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus (CCIC), and the first-in-the-nation mental health facility operated by a school district.

“Our excellence in education is thanks to the unwavering support of our community and the dedication of our outstanding educators and staff. Together, we’ve built a tradition of academic excellence, exceptional athletics and activities, and a culture that supports every student in discovering their Pathway of Purpose,” said Superintendent Christopher Smith.

In addition to Traverse Academy opening in 2023 and CCIC being named one of the top 100 most innovative educational institutions in the world in 2024, the district is expanding its innovative teacher apprenticeship program. This four-year, residency-style program pairs aspiring educators with CCSD teachers who serve as mentors as they gain 4,500 hours of classroom experience and work toward licensure through the Community College of Aurora. Now in its second year, the program has grown from 16 to 58 apprentice teachers across 15 schools, including a new special education pathway.

As a 75-year-old district, 68 of the district’s buildings are 20+ years old, with 21 schools more than 40 years old. With the support of the community in November 2024, several bond projects are already underway to expand CCIC, rebuild Holly Hills Elementary School, and build a pool and renovate the IST Building on the Overland High School campus. This fall, the district will break ground to construct a new Laredo Middle School and begin Phase I of the Cherry Creek High School rebuild project along with maintenance, security, and technology upgrade projects at schools across the district.

For the 2025-26 school year, CCSD will also continue to pursue its strategic initiatives of literacy for all by 2030 along with ensuring every student is well physically, emotionally, and socially and making sure fair and equitable access to high-quality educational opportunities are provided for every student.

Posted 8/13/2025.