APS Joins Community in Celebrating the Grand Opening of New College & Career Center

MEDIA ADVISORY                        

For Aug. 23, 2019

Press Contact:

Corey Christiansen, APS Public Information Officer

cpchristiansen@aurorak12.org | C: 720-591-0140

        

AURORA, CO – The vision of Aurora Public Schools (APS) is that every student shapes a successful future. APS is creating College & Career Centers across the district to ensure high school students can successfully graduate and have a plan to thrive in the post-secondary world. APS is excited to announce the grand opening of its 5th College & Career Center which will be located at Vista PEAK Preparatory.

College & Career Centers provide students with critical information and guidance on everything from high school graduation requirements to filling out college applications and essays. The centers also teach students how to apply for financial aid, pursue internship opportunities and navigate the boundless variety of potential career options. Since the first center opened in 2014, they have served more than 8,500 APS students and helped them secure more than $56 million in scholarships. The district’s 4-year graduation rates have also increased nearly 25% in the last five years.

The College & Career Centers are run by the Aurora Public Schools Foundation. The Foundation’s goal is to secure funding to open one additional center so it can serve all APS high school students.

 

WHAT: Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the New Vista PEAK Preparatory College & Career Center

WHEN: Friday, August 23rd / 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Vista PEAK Preparatory / 24500 E 6th Ave, Aurora, CO 80018

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: Rico Munn, APS Superintendent / Jason Maclin, Vista PEAK Preparatory Principal / Caleb Blackmon, Vista PEAK Preparatory Senior Class President

About Aurora Public Schools

Aurora Public Schools is the fifth largest school district in Colorado. APS serves approximately 40,000 students and includes over 60 schools. It is one of the most diverse districts in the state with students from more than 130 countries who speak over 160 languages. Over the past several years, APS has made noteworthy improvements in graduation rates, dropout rates and overall student growth and achievement. In fact, since 2013, APS graduation rates have increased by nearly 25%. During that same period of time, its dropout rate has sharply declined from 4.8% to 2.6%. APS 2020 is the district's strategic plan, which includes three strategic goals: 1) Every APS student will have a plan for his or her future, 2) Every student will have a set of skills to implement his or her plan and 3) Every student will have credentials that open doors. It is the district's vision that every student shapes a successful future.

 

About Aurora Public Schools Foundation

The Aurora Public Schools Foundation was created in 1987 and serves to foster support of education within the Aurora Public School District by bringing together teachers, business people, parents, alumni and community leaders. The APS Foundation advances private, non-profit, public and philanthropic partnerships to develop and leverage resources for projects and programs that drive innovation and excellence for approximately 40,000 students, 5,000 teachers and staff and over 60 schools.