COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – On Tuesday morning, Academy District 20 welcomed elementary, sixth and ninth grade students back to school for the new school year. On Wednesday, all students in grades K-12 will officially be back in the classroom.
This year things are a little different for D20 as a new curriculum is being implemented at Air Academy High School. This year students will be able to take flight courses and the assistant principal says it is a reflection of the Springs community and a wonderful experience for the students.
The district will also be available to vote on a bond measure in November 2024.
“The interesting and exciting thing about this bond measure is that it is not a tax increase and the majority of this bond, approximately $49 million, would go toward rebuilding one of our oldest schools, Air Academy High School,” explains Becky Allan, assistant principal and chief financial officer. “Air Academy High School has over $70 million in deferred maintenance because it is a 65-year-old building. It’s hard to believe that if the community supported just a $49 million investment, we would have a brand new high school and career training center of excellence.”
D20’s Rampart High School hosts its “Freshmen First Day.” About 120 students accompany freshmen through the school as they enter the building. Freshmen receive tours, play games, and have the opportunity to meet their teachers.
“You get a feel for what the school is like and know where you’re going,” said Abby Sprinz, a member of the Senior Student Council. “That was the best part of my first day as a freshman because I didn’t really know the school.”
“We see these students on the first day they come in here, nervous and panicked about this huge place that they’re now a part of, to their sophomore year… finding their rhythm and their group and who they belong with,” explains teacher and counselor Alexis Bailey. “Then it quickly moves on to senior year and graduation, and they develop a little bit more ownership and pride for the place that they get to call, you know, home.”
Rampart High School seniors were hard at work Monday decorating and preparing activities for the freshmen to make their first day extra special. As the seniors look forward to their first final day of school, they are remembering their high school days and being in the freshmen’s shoes.
“It’s nice to look back and see how far we’ve come,” said Mridul Govind, graduating class vice president. “My freshman year, I thought I was really mature, but I really wasn’t… We want to make it worth it, and the opportunities we’re given here make us stronger.”
A final year student gives advice to future students.
“Do everything, go to every single football game, go to every school dance, participate in every spirit day, because when you get to the end, you’re going to wish you had done it all,” advises Corbin Hofmann, representative of the Senior Class Student Council.
Click here to learn more about the Academy District 2024 bond measure.
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