Arapahoe High School
```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 comes from the Arapaho people, a Native American nation that historically inhabited the Colorado Front Range and surrounding Great Plains. 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 and Douglas Counties 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. In 2002, a significant project 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 across that span.
2013 Shooting
On December 13, 2013, a student opened fire inside Arapahoe High School, critically wounding a fellow student, 17-year-old Claire Davis, before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 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 18-year-old shooter had targeted a specific faculty member, a debate coach, over a perceived personal grievance related to his removal from the debate team. The teacher evacuated the building upon learning the student was armed, which investigators later credited with limiting the death toll. The shooter carried a shotgun, a machete, and three Molotov cocktails onto campus.[4]
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. 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.[5]
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 that 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, and school partnerships coordinate guest speakers, job-shadowing opportunities, and internship placements.
Athletics
Arapahoe competes in the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) as a Class 5A school. 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.[7] Athletic teams compete under the name the Warriors.
The school's athletic programs have produced multiple state-level competitors and team qualifiers across several sports over the years. CHSAA records document Arapahoe's participation in regional and state championship competitions in 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.[8] These programs combine with athletics and student government to shape a community identity that values both individual achievement and collective school life.
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.[9]
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. It 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
```