Back To School: 2026-27

Welcome to the 2026–27 school year! We're excited to partner with you for another incredible year of learning, growth, and innovation at STEM School Highlands Ranch.

All families will be required to complete the DCSD Online Express Check-In through the EngagED Parent Portal, as well as the 2026–27 STEM Express Check-In Form, which is linked within the Express Check-In module. This annual process confirms your student's information, communication preferences, district-required policies, and STEM-required policies. The deadline to complete Express Check-In is Thursday, August 5th.

We encourage families to complete the process as early as possible to ensure a smooth start to the school year. Detailed instructions and step-by-step guidance will be emailed to all families on Sunday, July 26, at 3:00 p.m. Please watch your inbox for that communication before getting started.

Thank you for helping us ensure we have accurate, up-to-date information for your student. We look forward to welcoming you back for an amazing school year!

Need help with school or after-school transportation due to a busy work schedule or multiple children’s schedules? STEM partners with Schoolpool, a free program that connects families to share rides or find commute buddies.

Signing up is simple! Please email info@stemk12.org to get the unique registration link. IMPORTANT: Do not share or make public the unique registration link.

Privacy and security: STEM School Highlands Ranch and Schoolpool do not run background checks, confirm valid driver’s licenses, or assess insurance coverage on participants. Potential users are advised to screen participants to their personal satisfaction and check their own insurance coverage for carpooling to ensure that they are covered under these voluntary arrangements. Schoolpool does not provide drivers, vehicles, or insurance.

7/27: Express Check-In Opens

7/27: Kick Start the Year Virtual Sessions

7/29: Senior Parking Spot Painting
7/30: Senior Parking Spot Painting
7/30: Pirates Cove

8/5: Express Check-In Closes
8/10: Secondary Spartan Start | Secondary Picture Day | Elementary Meet the Teacher
8/11: First Day of School | 1st-12th
8/13: First Day of School | Kindergarten | Tissue and Tears
8/18: Senior College Night | TSA Info Night
8/19: Secondary Back to School Night
8/20: Elementary Back to School Night

Join fellow STEM families, students, and staff for an evening of fun, connection, and excitement before the first day of school.

This event is a wonderful opportunity for new and returning families to reconnect after summer, meet new friends, and build meaningful connections with classmates, teachers, staff, and other STEM families before the school year begins.

📅 Thursday, July 30
⏰ 6:00–8:00 p.m.
📍 Pirates Cove
1225 W. Belleview Ave.
Englewood, CO 80120

🎟️ Admission is $8 per person. Purchase your tickets in advance using the button below, or buy them at the door the evening of the event.

We hope you'll join us as we celebrate the start of another incredible school year. We can't wait to see you there!

Mark your calendars for Monday, July 27, and join your building leadership team for one of our Kick Start the Year Webinars!

These virtual sessions are designed to help families prepare for a successful start to the 2026–27 school year by covering important dates, school procedures, expectations, and answering frequently asked questions.

Webinar Schedule:

• Middle School: 11:00 a.m.
• Elementary School: 12:00 p.m.
• High School: 3:00 p.m.
  
  

The same webinar link will be used for all three sessions and will be emailed to families closer to the event date. We encourage all families to attend their student's building-specific session and look forward to kicking off another fantastic school year together!

Registration for our Elementary Fall Enrichment Program is officially open! Give your student the opportunity to explore new interests, develop new skills, and have fun beyond the school day.

With a wide variety of enrichment opportunities available, there's something for every Spartan! Explore the full list of offerings and register today using the link below.

Don't wait—many classes fill quickly! Click the button below to view all available programs and secure your student's spot today.

Need a schedule correction? Secondary counselors will be available before school begins to assist students whose schedules require adjustments. Schedule corrections are intended only to resolve scheduling errors, such as a missing class or being placed in a course without meeting the required prerequisite(s). Schedule changes will not be made because a student did not receive their preferred elective, wants to change teachers, or wishes to be in the same class as a friend. Please review the dates below to determine whether your student should attend a walk-in session or schedule an appointment.

Counselor Assignments

When scheduling an appointment, please contact your child's assigned counselor based on the first letter of their last name.

High School

• A–L: Colene Belisle: https://calendly.com/cmbelisle/schedule-corrections
• M–Z: Madison Grebe: https://calendly.com/madison-grebe/new-families-schedule-build-correction?month=2026-07
• Concurrent Enollment: Nicole Ryan https://calendly.com/nicole-ryan-stemk12
  
  

Middle School

• A–K: Alisha Freeman: https://calendly.com/alisha-freeman-stemk12/
• L–Z: Cassie Kruse: https://calendly.com/cassie-kruse-stemk12/schedule-corrections
  
  

New-to-STEM Families
July 30 & July 31

• 8:00–11:00 a.m. – High School & Middle School (By Appointment Only)
• 1:00–3:00 p.m. – High School & Middle School (By Appointment Only)

Walk-In Schedule Corrections-First Come, First Served
August 6

• 8:00–11:00 a.m. – Grade 12 & Grade 8
• 1:00–3:00 p.m. – Grade 11 & Grade 7
  

Location: High School and Middle School Counseling Offices

August 7- First Come, First Served

• 9:00–11:30 a.m. – Grade 10 & Grade 6
• 1:00–3:00 p.m. – Grade 9 and Grades 6–8

Location: High School Counseling Office and Middle School Counseling Offices

Counselors will also be available by appointment only during Spartan Start for schedule corrections. These appointments should be reserved for students who are unable to attend their grade-level correction time due to vacation or other unavoidable circumstances.

We encourage families to attend their designated grade-level correction session whenever possible. Making schedule changes the day before school begins can create a ripple effect that impacts other students' schedules. By limiting last-minute changes to only those that are necessary, we can provide a smoother start to the school year and ensure the best experience for all students.

August 10

• 8:00–11:00 a.m. & 1:00–3:00 p.m. – High School & Middle School (By Appointment Only)

Location: Teacher Workroom

Planning ahead for the new school year? Locker Request Forms, Parking Pass Requests, and the 2026–27 High School Laptop Recommendations are now available.

Use the buttons below to access the resources you need and complete any applicable requests before the start of school.

Get ready for an exciting fall season! Registration is now open for the following secondary athletic programs: Be sure to register your student-athlete using the link below.

Before your athlete can begin practice, a current CHSAA Physical Evaluation Form must be completed and submitted to the school. A link to the required physical form is also provided below. We look forward to another great season of Spartan athletics. Go Spartans!

We're looking for parent volunteers to help make Spartan Start a success by assisting with student photos on Monday, August 10, from 8:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. If you're available to lend a hand, we'd love your support!

Volunteers will help photographers by:

• Keeping students organized and the photo line moving efficiently.
• Distributing student identification cards after photos are taken.
• Helping students look their best by letting them know if collars, hair, or clothing need to be adjusted.
• Providing students with a wipe if they need to quickly clean their face before their photo.
  
  

No photography experience is required—just a friendly attitude and a willingness to help!

As a thank-you for volunteering, each volunteer will receive a coupon from Dorian for a FREE photo package (a $36 value). Please sign up using the Galaxy Digital link below. Thank you for helping us make Spartan Start a smooth and successful experience for our students and families!

We've shared several important back-to-school updates over the past few weeks, including information about Express Check-In, Spartan Start, school supplies, schedules, and more.

If you missed any of these communications, we've got you covered! Click the button below to view all of our Back-to-School Essentials and make sure you're ready for an amazing start to the school year.

Be on the lookout for next week's edition of our Back-to-School Newsletter, packed with important information and resources to help your family prepare for the first day of school!

Next week's newsletter will include:

Express Check-In Now open
Student Fees

Free and Reduced-Price meals & Fee Waivers

Driveline Placards

Be sure to check your inbox—you won't want to miss these important back-to-school updates!