CTE newsletter

As an innovation campus, our mission is to redefine what high school looks like by bridging the gap between education and real-world careers. This month, our primary focus areas center on maximizing our five pathways where students are earning college credits and industry certificates and engaging in robust work-based learning opportunities.

As our students PREPARE FOR MORE, we are inspiring the next generation of innovators through our community outreach.

Here is what we are prioritizing to ensure academic excellence and career readiness across our campus. Click here to learn more about Ranum

Our Cybertechnology pathway is reaching incredible milestones this semester under the outstanding leadership of one of our pathway teachers, Sergio Figueroa. We are thrilled to celebrate a significant number of students who have successfully completed the requirements for the Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Cybersecurity exam. This accomplishment represents a completion of our program's three-part certification track:

Earning these industry-recognized credentials demonstrates that our students possess the advanced technical expertise needed to protect vital digital infrastructures. We are incredibly proud of their dedication, and we extend our deepest gratitude to Mr. Figueroa for his commitment to preparing our students for future success in the tech industry!

We are thrilled to announce that our CNA/MA Pathway officially celebrated its grand opening with a vibrant ribbon-cutting ceremony!

• Distinguished Guests: A special thank you to our school administration and the district officials who took the time to speak, attend, and show their dedication to career and technical education.
• Spotlight on Students: The absolute stars of the show were our students! Guests were treated to live student demonstrations, where our future medical assistants and nursing assistants showcased their clinical skills with incredible professionalism.
• A Clean Bill of Health: We reviewed our program agenda and goals, proudly sharing that our pathway has a completely clean bill of health and is fully primed for student success.

A Huge Shout-Out!

A very special thank you to Bryan Gilroy for generously providing the delicious snacks and refreshments for our guests. Your support kept everyone energized and added a wonderful warmth to our celebration!

Ranum Innovation Campus is bringing industry and education together to open new doors for students and our community. Through Westminster Public Schools’ partnership with Colorado BioScience Institute and Colorado Succeeds, Ranum will host evening Life Sciences Manufacturing courses beginning in January 2027.

Taught by industry experts and offered through a scholarship model, these courses prepare learners for work in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and medical device manufacturing. LSM 101 introduces foundational skills, while LSM 201 builds on that knowledge with more advanced manufacturing practices.

The opportunity extends to community members, families, and former students, with 15 seats reserved for current students from Westminster High School, Ranum, and Hidden Lake. Participants who successfully complete the program and choose to pursue employment will have a direct pathway to being hired.

This partnership advances the vision for Ranum as a vocational campus connecting classroom learning, industry expertise, and employment opportunities.

Applications are open! LSM 101 begins January 25, and LSM 201 begins February 3. Classes meet on scheduled evenings from 4:30–7:00 p.m. at Ranum Innovation Campus. Scan the QR codes on the accompanying flyer to apply or express interest in a virtual information session.

Innovation takes teamwork! Our Pro Start students, as well as teacher Bryan Gilroy, took their learning off-campus for a special field trip to Epicurean Butter. Gathering around the commercial prep table, students got a behind-the-scenes look at industry-grade equipment and professional kitchen operations, gaining valuable insights into future careers in catering and food entrepreneurship.

Working as a unified team, audio-video production students handle the high-end technical execution—including live switching, crystal-clear audio capture, and post-production editing in Studio W. This frees host Nick Fiorella to focus entirely on his guests, effectively solving a major creative bottleneck. Simultaneously, our School-Based Enterprise (SBE) marketing students take ownership of the show's public face by managing content publishing, building online community engagement, and tracking audience analytics. Over the course of the school year, this interdisciplinary pipeline will transform Set Talks with Nick Fiorella into Colorado’s premier digital resource for the film and production industry.

Competing in the highly rigorous National Nursery & Landscape Career Development Event (CDE), our students tested their hands-on skills against the best in the country—covering everything from plant identification and landscape design to business management and safety. [1, 2]

We are incredibly proud to celebrate their amazing national achievements:

• Team Ranking: Bronze National Recognition
• Evelyn Felix: Silver Individual Ranking
• Emely Barillas: Bronze Individual Ranking
• Alma Luevano: Bronze Individual Ranking

This prestigious competition challenges students to master real-world industry demands, from diagnosing plant disorders to estimating construction costs. Please join us in congratulating Evelyn, Emely, and Alma for their dedication, hard work, and outstanding representation of Colorado on the national stage!