STEM School Highlands Ranch

STEM School Highlands Ranch offers Elementary, Middle School, High School, and Concurrent Enrollment for students in grades 9-12. The Elementary program offers a strong academic foundation, curiosity, creativity, and future-ready skills. The Middle School program uses a rigorous Problem-Based Learning (PBL) curriculum to spark curiosity, foster innovation, and build future-ready skills. The High School program uses a personalized, inquiry-based model rooted in Problem-Based Learning (PBL), and Concurrent Enrollment lets high school students take college-level courses while still in high school.

Programs

• Elementary — Elementary program offers a strong academic foundation, curiosity, creativity, and future-ready skills.
• Middle School — Middle school program uses a rigorous Problem-Based Learning (PBL) curriculum to spark curiosity, foster innovation, and build future-ready skills.
• High School — High school program empowers students to take charge of their learning through a personalized, inquiry-based model rooted in Problem-Based Learning (PBL).
• Concurrent Enrollment (CE) — 9th-12th grade · Allows high school students to enroll in college-level courses while still in high school.

At a glance

• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Facility hours: Office Hours Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-4:00 PM; K-1st Monday-Friday 8:10 AM-3:00 PM; 2nd-5th Monday-Friday 8:10 AM-3:10 PM; 6th-12th Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-3:30 PM

About the provider

STEM School Highlands Ranch was founded in 2011. By 2014 it had expanded to include a full high school, by 2016 it offered a complete K-12 education, and in 2017 it rebranded as STEM School Highlands Ranch. The school describes itself as a tuition-free, public K-12 charter school and lists a mission statement of "Never Stop Innovating." It also lists community development pillars that include industry partnerships, community projects, student showcases, extracurricular activities, and a diverse, caring community.

Open enrollment uses priority order rather than a lottery. Round 1 priority order: sibling of currently enrolled STEM students; founding family and staff children and grandchildren; Douglas County residents; out-of-district residents. Round 2 is first-come, first-served. Concurrent Enrollment is for 9th-12th grades; STEM pays the tuition portion of that college education.

Last updated August 20, 2026.