To kick off the school year on Monday, seven CCSD campuses opened their doors with brand-new buildings, each designed to meet the evolving needs of students and educators.
The big picture: The schools reflect the District’s ongoing commitment to student-centered learning, innovation, and sustainability.
Elementary schools: Walter Bracken, Laura Dearing, and Doris Hancock elementary schools were more than 60 years old before they were replaced to make way for new schools, providing dynamic learning environments built for 21st-century instruction.
- Dearing Elementary School, for example, offers a reimagined campus, blending open-air features with inspiring views of Sunrise Mountain. Its design provides flexible breakout spaces, an open-air amphitheater, and a garden area.
- All three schools tap into solar technology to help offset energy costs, promoting sustainability.
Middle schools: J. Harold Brinley, Frank F. Garside, and C.W. Woodbury replacement middle schools use a modern prototype, a collaborative design process that included principals and other CCSD stakeholders.
- Each campus features daylight-filled classrooms, student activity spaces, and zones for arts, technology, and physical education.
- With capacity options up to 1,250 students, each school is tailored for flexibility and future growth that supports evolving instructional models and community needs.
- Sustainable systems—including efficient lighting, HVAC, and water conservation strategies—support comfort, performance, and reduced environmental impact.
Career and technical academy: South CTA is a state-of-the-art, three-story school serving 1,800 high school students with nine specialized career and technical programs. Students can immerse themselves in either the school’s leadership or innovation academies.
- Designed around the intersection of nature and technology, it features themed academic wings, collaborative learning areas, and career-specific labs.
- Rooftop solar, operable classroom windows, and courtyards enhance wellness and learning.
What they’re saying: After 60-plus years of history and countless wonderful memories, Garside Junior High School Principal Matthew Spurk said the 2025–2026 school year paves a new beginning for the school, whose enhanced focus will be on STEAM education.
“Our new campus is a powerful symbol of the District’s commitment to this community,” Principal Spurk said. “This investment brings our students a modern, high-quality learning environment they can be proud of.”
