Colorado Springs School of Technology
| Colorado Springs School of Technology | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
3650 North Nevada Avenue , Colorado 80907 United States | |
| Coordinates | 38°53′2″N 104°49′12″W / 38.88389°N 104.82000°W |
| Information | |
| School type | Public innovation school |
| Established | August 12, 2025 |
| School board | 9 members |
| School district | Colorado Springs 11 |
| President | Vance Brown |
| Executive Director and Principal | Nathan Gorsch |
| Grades | 9–10[a] |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Mascot | Rocket |
| Website | csrockets |
| |
The Colorado Springs School of Technology (CSST) is an upcoming STEM-focused public innovation school in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Operating autonomously as part of Colorado Springs School District 11, it is set to open in the 2025–26 academic year with approximately 100 students in the ninth and tenth grades, expanding in subsequent years.
Designed to prepare area students for future careers in aerospace and cybersecurity, CSST is a collaboration of many different educational, business, and government institutions, including the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, National Cybersecurity Center, United States Air Force Academy, and more.
History
[edit]Conception
[edit]In 2023, the National Science Foundation (NSF) approved a $941,375 grant to a collaboration of local higher education, military, and private institutions, with the aim of developing the space and cybersecurity industries in Colorado Springs.[1][2] The infrastructure for these industries was already largely in place when the grant was awarded, and the NSF emphasized the need to increase the size of the local workforce.[3][4]
In collaboration with the grant recipients, Colorado Springs School District 11 applied for an innovation school focused on STEM education and cybersecurity in February 2024.[3] Their application was approved by the Colorado Department of Education on April 11.[5]
The school will open on August 12, 2025.[6]
Campus
[edit]Classes will be held in the Kevin W. O'Neil Cybersecurity Education and Research Center, which hosts the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center, the headquarters of the National Cybersecurity Center, and cybersecurity classes at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). A $7 million project to convert this building into a usable space for the school was completed in 2022.[7]
District 11 set aside $2.5 million to refurbish parts of the building for the school. UCCS, the owner of the building, is leasing 7,300 square feet (680 m2) of space in the building to the school for free for thirty years, provided that the school district refurbishes the space themselves.[8] The layout of the school is intended to more resemble an office than a traditional school.[9] The groundbreaking ceremony was held on May 5.[6]
Academics
[edit]Enrollment
[edit]As an innovation school, CSST accepts students from across and beyond the district.[3][10]
The school will begin the 2025–26 academic year with approximately 100 students in the ninth and tenth grades. Each year, the school will add a grade until reaching twelfth grade. There are also plans to add sixth through eighth grade classes to the school. CSST is expected to enroll 400–500 high school students by the end of its expansion period.[5][11]
Curriculum
[edit]The CSST curriculum will focus on preparing students for careers in cybersecurity, aerospace, and other high-tech fields. In addition to licensed teachers, the school plans to have industry professionals teach classes at the school. Students will have opportunities for dual enrollment at Pikes Peak State College and the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, participate in internships, and earn industry certifications.[5] The school's inaugural principal, Nathan Gorsch, called the school a "professional playground" due to the opportunities students will have to interact with the high-tech industry.[4][12]
CSST will organize its curriculum into four core pathways, allowing students to focus on aerospace, cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, or leadership.[13] Courses planned to be offered at the school include AP Computer Science, courses covering artificial intelligence, engineering, and robotics,[12] and classes taught in traditional high school curricula, such as history and philosophy.[11]
Governance
[edit]CSST will be an innovation school, a form of school that allows greater autonomy from the school district. This includes having its own board of directors and autonomy over its curriculum, scheduling, and budgeting. The law permitting innovation schools was passed in Colorado in 2008.[8][14] The first and current principal is Nathan Gorsch, the former principal of Village High School in Academy District 20.[12][15]
The school is governed by a Board of Directors made up of nine representatives from the school's stakeholders, which are Colorado Springs School District 11 and the members of the collaboration awarded the 2023 NSF grant, including the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak State College, the National Cybersecurity Center, the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center, the United States Air Force Academy, the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, and the Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation.[2][11][12] The President of the Board of Directors is Vance Brown, the former CEO of the National Cybersecurity Center.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ Wolanske, Maggy (May 11, 2023). "Colorado Springs receives award to boost space economy and innovation". KXRM-TV. Colorado Springs, Colorado: Nexstar Media Group. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ a b "Advancing Space Technologies (CO), Resilient Space Infrastructures, Systems and Economy (RISE) wins $941,375 NSF Engines Development Award". Colorado Springs, Colorado: Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC. May 11, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ a b c Young, Eric (February 28, 2024). "D-11 applies for innovation zone to expand STEM education". The Gazette. Colorado Springs, Colorado. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ a b "Colorado Springs Launches Innovative School of Technology". Success Quarterly. January 30, 2025. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ a b c Young, Eric (April 11, 2024). "Colorado Springs D-11 innovation zone approved by state board of education". The Gazette. Colorado Springs, Colorado. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ a b Phipps, Hunter (May 5, 2025). "New D11 School of Technology breaks ground". KXRM-TV. Colorado Springs, Colorado: Nexstar Media Group. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ Heilman, Wayne (May 5, 2022). "UCCS opens $7 million cybersecurity and research center". The Gazette. Colorado Springs, Colorado. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ a b Young, Eric (February 5, 2025). "D-11 board transfers funding for Jenkins, incoming innovation school". The Gazette. Colorado Springs, Colorado. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ "Principal explains plans for new Colorado Springs School of Technology after board approves renovation funding". KOAA. Colorado Springs, Colorado: Scripps Media. February 8, 2025. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ "FAQs | Explore Your Future — Colorado Springs School of Technology". Colorado Springs School District 11. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ a b c Newell, Abby (April 16, 2025). "Colorado Springs School of Technology to open on campus". UCCS News. Colorado Springs, Colorado: University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Young, Eric (January 30, 2025). "A professional playground: Industry-focused innovation zone coming to Colorado Springs". The Gazette. Colorado Springs, Colorado. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ "About | Discover Your Potential — Colorado Springs School of Technology". Colorado Springs School District 11. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ "Innovation Schools". Colorado Department of Education. February 6, 2025. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ "Staff Directory | Meet Our Team — Colorado Springs School of Technology". Colorado Springs School District 11. Retrieved July 25, 2025.
- ^ "Board of Directors | Join Our Vision — Colorado Springs School of Technology". Colorado Springs School District 11. Retrieved July 25, 2025.