Arapahoe High School: Difference between revisions
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Arapahoe High School is a public | ```mediawiki | ||
{{Infobox school | |||
| name = Arapahoe High School | |||
| type = Public high school | |||
| district = Cherry Creek School District | |||
| grades = 9–12 | |||
| location = Littleton, Colorado | |||
| mascot = Warriors | |||
| classification = CHSAA Class 5A | |||
| established = 1973 | |||
}} | |||
Arapahoe High School is a public high school located in Littleton, Colorado, serving students in grades 9 through 12. The school operates within the Cherry Creek School District and is one of the larger high schools in the Denver metropolitan area. Founded in 1973, Arapahoe has built a record of academic achievement, competitive athletics, and broad extracurricular programs. Its name derives from the Arapaho people, a Native American nation that historically inhabited the Colorado Front Range and surrounding Great Plains, and whose presence defined much of the region that would become Arapahoe County. Current enrollment stands at approximately 1,800 to 2,000 students, drawing from Littleton and surrounding communities in unincorporated Arapahoe County.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arapahoe High School School Performance Framework |url=https://www.cde.state.co.us/accountability |work=Colorado Department of Education |access-date=2026-02-26}}</ref> | |||
== History == | == History == | ||
The school was established in 1973 | The school was established in 1973 as part of the Cherry Creek School District's expansion during a period of rapid suburban growth across the Denver metropolitan area. Its construction reflected demographic shifts occurring throughout Arapahoe County during the 1970s, as families relocated to communities developing south and southeast of Denver. The original campus was designed around an open-classroom model, with flexible learning spaces common in educational architecture of that era.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cherry Creek School District History and Growth |url=https://www.cherrycreekschools.org/about/history |work=Cherry Creek School District |access-date=2026-02-26}}</ref> | ||
Over five decades of operation, Arapahoe has undergone several renovations and facility expansions. A significant project in the early 2000s updated classroom spaces, expanded the library, and improved athletic infrastructure. More recent upgrades have included technology integration across academic departments and sustainability improvements to the building envelope. The school has maintained accreditation through the state of Colorado and has consistently met or exceeded state academic standards over those five decades. | |||
=== 2013 Shooting === | |||
On December 13, 2013, an 18-year-old student opened fire inside Arapahoe High School, critically wounding a fellow student, 17-year-old Claire Davis, before fatally shooting himself. The shooting lasted approximately 80 seconds. Davis, who was shot at close range in the school library, died eight days later on December 21, 2013, becoming the incident's only fatality other than the shooter.<ref>{{cite news |title=Claire Davis, shot at Arapahoe High School, dies |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2013/12/21/claire-davis-shot-at-arapahoe-high-school-dies/ |work=The Denver Post |date=2013-12-21 |access-date=2026-02-26}}</ref> | |||
Investigators determined that the shooter had targeted a specific faculty member, a debate coach, over a perceived personal grievance related to his removal from the debate team. Upon learning that the student was armed, the teacher evacuated the building, a decision investigators later credited with limiting the death toll. The shooter carried a shotgun, a machete, and three Molotov cocktails onto campus.<ref>{{cite news |title=Arapahoe High School shooting: What we know |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2013/12/14/arapahoe-high-school-shooting-what-we-know/ |work=The Denver Post |date=2013-12-14 |access-date=2026-02-26}}</ref> Law enforcement responded within minutes, and the rapid arrival of Arapahoe County sheriff's deputies was cited as a factor in containing the incident. The school, which had approximately 2,229 students present that day, was evacuated and students were reunited with families at a nearby recreation center. | |||
The incident drew national attention and prompted renewed debate over school security measures and emergency response protocols in Colorado. The Cherry Creek School District subsequently reviewed and updated its safety procedures, including revisions to lockdown protocols and communication systems. A memorial was established at the school in honor of Claire Davis. Her death led to broader community conversations about mental health resources in schools, and the Claire Davis Act — legislation related to student safety and mental health in Colorado public schools — was named in her memory and signed into law in May 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=Colorado governor signs Claire Davis school safety bill |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2014/05/09/colorado-governor-signs-claire-davis-school-safety-bill/ |work=The Denver Post |date=2014-05-09 |access-date=2026-02-26}}</ref> The law required Colorado school districts to adopt policies addressing students who pose a threat to themselves or others, emphasizing early intervention and mental health referral over punitive response alone. | |||
== Education == | == Education == | ||
The academic program | The academic program covers a full curriculum across English language arts, mathematics, social studies, and the sciences, supplemented by elective courses in the arts, business, and technology. Arapahoe operates on a block schedule, giving students extended class periods intended to build deeper engagement with course material. Advanced Placement courses are offered across multiple departments, providing college-level instruction to qualified students.<ref>{{cite web |title=Advanced Placement Programs in Colorado High Schools |url=https://cde.colorado.gov/accountability |work=Colorado Department of Education |access-date=2026-02-26}}</ref> Honors-level courses are available in core subjects, and support programs serve students who need additional academic assistance. | ||
Career and technical education offerings run through partnerships with local community colleges and workforce development agencies. The International Baccalaureate program, while not offered directly at Arapahoe, is accessible to Cherry Creek students through the district's IB center at another campus. Roughly 90 percent of Arapahoe graduates pursue post-secondary education, whether at four-year universities, community colleges, or trade programs. The counseling department provides college planning services covering standardized test preparation, application support, and scholarship identification. Career programming is woven throughout the curriculum, with guest speakers, job-shadowing opportunities, and internship placements coordinated through school partnerships. | |||
Arapahoe students have been recognized through competitive scholarship programs. In 2026, Daniels Fund CEO Hanna Skandera visited the campus to surprise a student with a Daniels Scholarship, a merit-based award providing comprehensive support for post-secondary education to students demonstrating integrity, leadership, and service.<ref>{{cite web |title=Daniels Fund Scholarship Surprise at Arapahoe High School |url=https://www.facebook.com/danielsfund/videos/surprise-this-morning-daniels-fund-ceo-hanna-skandera-had-the-privilege-of-surpr/1980536849225266/ |work=Daniels Fund |access-date=2026-02-26}}</ref> | |||
== Athletics == | |||
Arapahoe competes in the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) as a Class 5A school, placing it among the largest schools in the state for competitive purposes. The school fields teams across a wide range of sports for both male and female students, including football, basketball, soccer, swimming, wrestling, lacrosse, cross country, track and field, tennis, golf, and volleyball, among others.<ref>{{cite web |title=Arapahoe Warriors Athletics |url=https://www.chsaa.org |work=Colorado High School Activities Association |access-date=2026-02-26}}</ref> Athletic teams compete under the Warriors name. | |||
The school's athletic programs have produced multiple state-level competitors and team qualifiers across several sports. CHSAA records document Arapahoe's consistent participation in regional and state championship competitions within Class 5A. School spirit is demonstrated through strong attendance at athletic events, homecoming celebrations, and pep assemblies organized throughout the school year. | |||
== Culture == | == Culture == | ||
Arapahoe maintains a balance between academic rigor and a strong commitment to extracurricular life. The school supports more than 80 student clubs and organizations, ranging from academic discipline-specific clubs to cultural organizations and hobby-based groups. Student government plays a significant role on campus, organizing school events, assemblies, and community service efforts throughout the year. The school newspaper and yearbook give students forums for journalism and documentation of school activities. | |||
Music, theater, and debate programs regularly earn recognition in regional and state competitions. The school's visual and performing arts program holds events including an annual Art Attack Reception, which showcases student work in visual arts and draws community members to campus.<ref>{{cite web |title=AHS Art Attack Reception |url=https://www.littletonpublicschools.net/o/arapahoe/article/2829071 |work=Littleton Public Schools |access-date=2026-02-26}}</ref> These programs combine with athletics and student government to shape a community identity that values both individual achievement and collective school life. Teacher appreciation programming is also a regular feature of school culture, with events held annually to recognize faculty contributions to the school community.<ref>{{cite web |title=2026 Teacher Appreciation Week |url=https://www.littletonpublicschools.net/o/arapahoe/article/2864795 |work=Littleton Public Schools |access-date=2026-02-26}}</ref> | |||
== Notable Alumni == | |||
Arapahoe High School has graduated individuals who have gone on to careers in business, law, medicine, public service, and the arts. The school maintains an alumni association that periodically recognizes former students' achievements. Its location in the Denver metropolitan area and its decades of operation have connected the school to a broad network of professionals contributing to Colorado's communities and beyond. Detailed alumni records are maintained through the school and Cherry Creek School District's institutional archives. | |||
== Campus and Facilities == | |||
== | The Arapahoe High School campus covers approximately 38 acres in Littleton and includes facilities serving both academic and competitive purposes. Academic classrooms are organized by subject area within the main building, which also houses a library and media center and administrative offices. The campus includes a stadium with a synthetic turf field used for football and soccer, tennis courts, and a gymnasium for basketball, volleyball, and indoor athletics. Practice fields adjacent to the main campus support athletic conditioning and skill development year-round.<ref>{{cite web |title=Littleton Colorado Schools Facilities Directory |url=https://www.littletongov.org/departments/community-services |work=City of Littleton |access-date=2026-02-26}}</ref> | ||
The | The library is stocked with print materials and digital databases accessible to students and staff. A commons area provides gathering space during breaks and lunch. The visual and performing arts wing includes dedicated rooms for music instruction, drama production, and art classes. Parking facilities serve students and visitors, with designated areas for school buses transporting students from across the attendance boundary. | ||
The | The school sits within the jurisdiction of the City of Littleton in Arapahoe County and serves as a community anchor, hosting evening and weekend events that draw residents beyond the student body. The facility is available for community use under district policies, supporting local civic and educational organizations. Its location in the Denver metropolitan area gives students access to cultural institutions, higher education facilities, and employment opportunities throughout the region. | ||
== References == | |||
<references /> | |||
[[Category:High schools in Colorado]] | |||
[[Category: | [[Category:Schools in Arapahoe County, Colorado]] | ||
[[Category:Cherry Creek School District]] | |||
[[Category:Educational institutions established in 1973]] | |||
[[Category:Littleton, Colorado]] | |||
[[Category:Colorado history]] | [[Category:Colorado history]] | ||
``` | |||
Latest revision as of 04:06, 9 June 2026
```mediawiki Template:Infobox school
Arapahoe High School is a public high school located in Littleton, Colorado, serving students in grades 9 through 12. The school operates within the Cherry Creek School District and is one of the larger high schools in the Denver metropolitan area. Founded in 1973, Arapahoe has built a record of academic achievement, competitive athletics, and broad extracurricular programs. Its name derives from the Arapaho people, a Native American nation that historically inhabited the Colorado Front Range and surrounding Great Plains, and whose presence defined much of the region that would become Arapahoe County. Current enrollment stands at approximately 1,800 to 2,000 students, drawing from Littleton and surrounding communities in unincorporated Arapahoe County.[1]
History
The school was established in 1973 as part of the Cherry Creek School District's expansion during a period of rapid suburban growth across the Denver metropolitan area. Its construction reflected demographic shifts occurring throughout Arapahoe County during the 1970s, as families relocated to communities developing south and southeast of Denver. The original campus was designed around an open-classroom model, with flexible learning spaces common in educational architecture of that era.[2]
Over five decades of operation, Arapahoe has undergone several renovations and facility expansions. A significant project in the early 2000s updated classroom spaces, expanded the library, and improved athletic infrastructure. More recent upgrades have included technology integration across academic departments and sustainability improvements to the building envelope. The school has maintained accreditation through the state of Colorado and has consistently met or exceeded state academic standards over those five decades.
2013 Shooting
On December 13, 2013, an 18-year-old student opened fire inside Arapahoe High School, critically wounding a fellow student, 17-year-old Claire Davis, before fatally shooting himself. The shooting lasted approximately 80 seconds. Davis, who was shot at close range in the school library, died eight days later on December 21, 2013, becoming the incident's only fatality other than the shooter.[3]
Investigators determined that the shooter had targeted a specific faculty member, a debate coach, over a perceived personal grievance related to his removal from the debate team. Upon learning that the student was armed, the teacher evacuated the building, a decision investigators later credited with limiting the death toll. The shooter carried a shotgun, a machete, and three Molotov cocktails onto campus.[4] Law enforcement responded within minutes, and the rapid arrival of Arapahoe County sheriff's deputies was cited as a factor in containing the incident. The school, which had approximately 2,229 students present that day, was evacuated and students were reunited with families at a nearby recreation center.
The incident drew national attention and prompted renewed debate over school security measures and emergency response protocols in Colorado. The Cherry Creek School District subsequently reviewed and updated its safety procedures, including revisions to lockdown protocols and communication systems. A memorial was established at the school in honor of Claire Davis. Her death led to broader community conversations about mental health resources in schools, and the Claire Davis Act — legislation related to student safety and mental health in Colorado public schools — was named in her memory and signed into law in May 2014.[5] The law required Colorado school districts to adopt policies addressing students who pose a threat to themselves or others, emphasizing early intervention and mental health referral over punitive response alone.
Education
The academic program covers a full curriculum across English language arts, mathematics, social studies, and the sciences, supplemented by elective courses in the arts, business, and technology. Arapahoe operates on a block schedule, giving students extended class periods intended to build deeper engagement with course material. Advanced Placement courses are offered across multiple departments, providing college-level instruction to qualified students.[6] Honors-level courses are available in core subjects, and support programs serve students who need additional academic assistance.
Career and technical education offerings run through partnerships with local community colleges and workforce development agencies. The International Baccalaureate program, while not offered directly at Arapahoe, is accessible to Cherry Creek students through the district's IB center at another campus. Roughly 90 percent of Arapahoe graduates pursue post-secondary education, whether at four-year universities, community colleges, or trade programs. The counseling department provides college planning services covering standardized test preparation, application support, and scholarship identification. Career programming is woven throughout the curriculum, with guest speakers, job-shadowing opportunities, and internship placements coordinated through school partnerships.
Arapahoe students have been recognized through competitive scholarship programs. In 2026, Daniels Fund CEO Hanna Skandera visited the campus to surprise a student with a Daniels Scholarship, a merit-based award providing comprehensive support for post-secondary education to students demonstrating integrity, leadership, and service.[7]
Athletics
Arapahoe competes in the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) as a Class 5A school, placing it among the largest schools in the state for competitive purposes. The school fields teams across a wide range of sports for both male and female students, including football, basketball, soccer, swimming, wrestling, lacrosse, cross country, track and field, tennis, golf, and volleyball, among others.[8] Athletic teams compete under the Warriors name.
The school's athletic programs have produced multiple state-level competitors and team qualifiers across several sports. CHSAA records document Arapahoe's consistent participation in regional and state championship competitions within Class 5A. School spirit is demonstrated through strong attendance at athletic events, homecoming celebrations, and pep assemblies organized throughout the school year.
Culture
Arapahoe maintains a balance between academic rigor and a strong commitment to extracurricular life. The school supports more than 80 student clubs and organizations, ranging from academic discipline-specific clubs to cultural organizations and hobby-based groups. Student government plays a significant role on campus, organizing school events, assemblies, and community service efforts throughout the year. The school newspaper and yearbook give students forums for journalism and documentation of school activities.
Music, theater, and debate programs regularly earn recognition in regional and state competitions. The school's visual and performing arts program holds events including an annual Art Attack Reception, which showcases student work in visual arts and draws community members to campus.[9] These programs combine with athletics and student government to shape a community identity that values both individual achievement and collective school life. Teacher appreciation programming is also a regular feature of school culture, with events held annually to recognize faculty contributions to the school community.[10]
Notable Alumni
Arapahoe High School has graduated individuals who have gone on to careers in business, law, medicine, public service, and the arts. The school maintains an alumni association that periodically recognizes former students' achievements. Its location in the Denver metropolitan area and its decades of operation have connected the school to a broad network of professionals contributing to Colorado's communities and beyond. Detailed alumni records are maintained through the school and Cherry Creek School District's institutional archives.
Campus and Facilities
The Arapahoe High School campus covers approximately 38 acres in Littleton and includes facilities serving both academic and competitive purposes. Academic classrooms are organized by subject area within the main building, which also houses a library and media center and administrative offices. The campus includes a stadium with a synthetic turf field used for football and soccer, tennis courts, and a gymnasium for basketball, volleyball, and indoor athletics. Practice fields adjacent to the main campus support athletic conditioning and skill development year-round.[11]
The library is stocked with print materials and digital databases accessible to students and staff. A commons area provides gathering space during breaks and lunch. The visual and performing arts wing includes dedicated rooms for music instruction, drama production, and art classes. Parking facilities serve students and visitors, with designated areas for school buses transporting students from across the attendance boundary.
The school sits within the jurisdiction of the City of Littleton in Arapahoe County and serves as a community anchor, hosting evening and weekend events that draw residents beyond the student body. The facility is available for community use under district policies, supporting local civic and educational organizations. Its location in the Denver metropolitan area gives students access to cultural institutions, higher education facilities, and employment opportunities throughout the region.
References
```