Quinn Rudnick

When students attend CCIC, they do more than just pencil-and-paper work. Many participate in programs that are more hands on, like aerospace, or they work in subjects like nursing and hospitality.

CCIC, The Cherry Creek school district’s Innovation Campus, is a top innovator in education for the country. The school is a program that students are able to attend every other day depending on the course they are taking, to prepare for success in the workforce beyond high school.

The award came from HundrED, an invitation-only environment that is dedicated to helping education innovators and students connect with each other through their interests. In mid Nov. they decided the top 100 education innovators in the world and recognized CCIC in that list.

 “CCIC is a hands-on learning opportunity that most kids who know what they want to do should take advantage of in [this program],” senior Tanisha Dhumal said. 

CCIC provides different educational involvement opportunities for high school students in 10th through 12th grades throughout CCSD. Students feel like they are able to connect with the faculty there beyond school related issues. 

“They have a really great support system [at CCIC]. If you ever need help, whether that’s with school or if it’s just personal issues, they’re gonna help you,” senior Makela Garcia said. 

Once students in the CCSD reach 10th grade they are able to apply to one of the programs that CCIC has to offer. These programs are mainly designed for juniors and seniors so they can prepare students for success beyond high school. Programs include spaces to work on engineering, nursing, hospitality among others; typically courses that aren’t offered in a standard high school.

“I earned my social media and management certificate [as a sophomore],” junior Chloe Morris said. “I couldn’t take behavioral health tech until I was a junior and that course seemed like a good way to experience what CCIC was like and to build up to skills that I could use in any job I get.”

The courses that CCIC currently offers are in Aviation, Automotive, Business, Hospitality, IT, Manufacturing, Construction, and Healthcare, each including classes for more specific careers and specialties. They are expected to expand these programs and add different courses that students might also have interest in within the upcoming years.

“CCIC winning a national award is nothing surprising, they have made this school to guide, inspire and motivate young students,” Dhumal said. “They have done such a fantastic job that they honestly deserve this award.”