Matt Cartier-Koson message

Dear STEM Families,

First of all, thank you.

Thank you to the families who have attended Open Houses, completed surveys, emailed questions, and taken time to engage thoughtfully in the conversation about our K-12 Master Plan and the proposed STEM High relocation.

This is your school. Your voice matters.

Because of that, I want to share what the data is telling us — and what it means for our next steps.

Tour / Open House Attendance
Total Attendees: 124

• January 14 – 35 attendees

• January 28 – 17 attendees

• February 11 – 27 attendees

• February 25 – 45 attendees
  
  

Intent to Return / Interest Survey
Total Responses: 1,031

• 700 families (68%) – Interested in enrolling at the relocated STEM High

• 272 families (26%) – Unsure and requesting more information

• 58 families (6%) – Not interested
  
  

What this tells us-support is strong.

Nearly seven out of ten families are positively inclined toward the opportunity. The work in front of us is not persuasion — it is clarity. Twenty-six percent of families are thoughtfully evaluating operational and transition questions. Our responsibility is to answer them directly and transparently.

Your feedback has been consistent and thoughtful. Five themes continue to rise to surface:

Commute & Location

Families are asking for realistic drive time clarity before making a commitment. Hesitation is higher in Parker and Castle Rock, where perceived distances influence decision making.

Graduation & Transcript Protection
Upperclassmen families want assurance that graduation timelines will not be disrupted, transcripts will remain stable, and college admissions pathways will be protected. This concern naturally increases as students approach senior year.

Program Continuity
Families want confidence that AP courses, Concurrent Enrollment, and career pathways will continue without interruption. Academic continuity matters more than new facilities.

Community & Culture
Families deeply value peer relationships, school culture, and the relational environment that makes STEM unique. Preserving community continuity is central to maintaining stability.

Timeline Certainty
Families are seeking clear construction timelines, defined transition plans, and contingency strategies. Ambiguity increases hesitation, while clarity reduces resistance.

When asked about facility appeal, families were most excited not by individual rooms but by the vision of an integrated campus ecosystem — modern STEM labs, collaborative innovation studios, digital design spaces, outdoor wellness areas, and arts and athletics facilities — all coming together in a purpose-built environment where industry, innovation, and learning converge.

Younger families evaluate opportunity. Older families evaluate risk. Both perspectives are valid — and both deserve thoughtful answers.

• 9th & 10th Grade families – Highest interest levels, long-term opportunity focus

• 11th & 12th Grade families – Increased sensitivity to disruption risk

• 6th–8th Grade families – Optimistic, seeking transition clarity

Our commitment is clear:

• Defined graduation protection plans

• Transparent academic continuity guarantees

• Commute data and mapping clarity

• Clear transition timelines

• Ongoing parent forums

This process will continue to be guided by data, dialogue, and responsible planning.

Based on feedback, we are planning an additional virtual session focused specifically on:

• Graduation and transcript protections

• AP / CE / P-TECH continuity

• Commute realities

• Transition timeline clarity

• Multi district authorization

Details will be shared shortly.

We are deeply grateful for your engagement and partnership as we evaluate the future of STEM’s K-12 ecosystem. The purpose of this Master Plan is not simply relocation. It is positioning our students for expanded opportunity while preserving the culture that makes STEM exceptional.

We will continue to lead with transparency, data, and collaboration.

With appreciation,

Matt Cartier
Chief Innovation Officer
STEM School Highlands Ranch