The rapid growth of Vista Ridge High School in Colorado Springs, Colorado, called for expansion and improvements to the current building to address the more than 400 additional students that would soon occupy the school. To accommodate this expansion and provide meaningful educational opportunities, the district chose to go beyond traditional classroom additions and invest in a forward-thinking, career and technical education (CTE) wing. 

The result is a vibrant, two-story, 18-classroom addition that supports a wide range of career pathways. Now home to programs in engineering, information technology, business, family and consumer sciences, and health, the addition expands academic offerings and provides students with access to hands-on, real-world learning opportunities. 

A key challenge in the design was creating flexible learning environments that could adapt to evolving student interests, growing enrollment, and the curriculum development of each program. Community involvement played a pivotal role, as the design was driven by student-focused programming and shaped by the input of teachers and stakeholders through our co-creation process. This inclusive approach fostered a deep sense of ownership and excitement throughout the school community. 

The dynamic addition features specialized spaces for sports medicine, costume and fashion design, child development, pharmacy tech, biotechnology, competitive drone soccer, business, and an engineering fabrication lab. These spaces were purposefully designed to support innovation, collaboration and career exploration. 

Seamlessly integrated with the existing building, the new wing promotes both functionality and inspiration. Bold environmental graphics and thoughtfully selected FF&E (furniture, fixtures, and equipment) enhance wayfinding and reinforce school pride throughout the new space. The new addition not only meets the current needs of Vista Ridge High School, but also sets the stage for future growth and student success.