Through collaboration between local industry and higher education partners, UCCS is an instrumental part of establishing a new high school focused on innovation and technology that will reside in the Kevin O’Neil Research Center/Cybersecurity building.
The Colorado Springs School of Technology (CSST), which begins enrolling students this fall, will focus on aerospace, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship and leadership and aims to provide hands-on, immersive experiences with community resources to replicate the adult workplace. Curriculum will include subjects like history, literature, philosophy and the arts to ensure a well-rounded learning plan and enrich students’ understanding of human experiences, ethical dilemmas and societal contexts, in an effort to cultivate students who merge technical proficiency with ethical values in a character-based learning environment.
“UCCS is proud to be part of this visionary collaboration to inspire the next generation of innovators and leaders,” said UCCS Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet. “The Colorado Springs School of Technology represents the kind of bold, future-focused partnership that expands opportunities for young people and strengthens our community, and we’re excited to see this project unfold.”
For the first year of enrollment, CSST will bring in about 100 students for nine and ten. Each year will bring in more students and add grade levels until reaching an enrollment of about 400 – 500 students for grades nine through twelve. While CSST students will initially continue pursuing athletic and extracurricular opportunities through other local, comprehensive high schools, CSST plans to integrate these in the future.
CSST contributing partners include UCCS, U.S. Air Force Academy, Pikes Peak State College, The National Cybersecurity Center, The Space ISAC, The Space Foundation, Exponential Impact, Catalyst Campus and the Colorado Springs Chamber and EDC. Each institution is represented by a CSST board member, with Chancellor Sobanet as the UCCS representative.
Visit the Colorado Springs School of Technology website for more information on the application process, curriculum, staff, values and more, and consider attending an information session, hosted on April 16 and April 28 at Exponential Impact.