When Burke Edgar was in high school, he cut classes to skateboard with his friends. Now the drawing and painting teacher at Wheat Ridge High School, Burke hopes to launch a program that will bring board sports into the classroom. When Edgar was a student, he struggled to learn from textbooks and lectures. “That was
More than 1.4 million American students left traditional public schools between 2019 and 2023. Wheat Ridge has been no exception to this trend, as evidenced by closing schools and declining enrollment in recent years. Across Wheat Ridge and Jefferson County, families are increasingly choosing charter schools, homeschooling, and private education over traditional public schools. Susan
Close to 140 full-time Jefferson County School District employees will be unemployed when summer arrives. Ninety of those eliminated positions will be due to vacancies and current or pending retirements, according to a Dec. 18 community update from the district. Between December 15-17, approximately 50 central service employees learned they were among those to be
Prospect Valley Elementary School celebrated its annual Veterans Day Flag Ceremony with an impressive turnout from local veterans and community members. The event brought students, staff, and families together to honor those who have served, creating a memorable moment for the entire school community. During the ceremony, students proudly performed the military medley, singing the
Every once in a while we meet someone who reminds us what quiet, everyday heroism looks like. For us in Wheat Ridge, that person was Louis Olivera. Lou was a longtime neighbor, a devoted husband, and the proud father of a Wheat Ridge High School graduate. He carried himself with a mix of humility, humor,
With the end of Fall sports and activities upon us, I spoke with Jason Campbell, Athletic Director at Wheat Ridge High School, regarding results from all our Farmer athletes, musicians and the team that keeps the dream alive, Marching Band! The results are, as always, impressive. Boys’ Soccer Finished with a ranking of 21st in the
Wheat Ridge High School PTSA, with support from TikTok and in collaboration with National PTA, invites you to the upcoming free workshop, “Create with Kindness”. High school families will come together for an open and interactive discussion with teens and provide families with information and resources to enhance online safety. This special dinner and discussion
I was a high school senior when I watched the Columbine shooting unfold on TV. Like many parents, it and subsequent events have left a lasting mark, and I sometimes feel a flash of panic when I drop my kids off at school. I’m fortunate, though. My children live in a community and attend schools
Over the past few decades in America, participation in youth sports and activities have had a steady decline. This begs the question, why are so many young people choosing gaming (playing video games) over physical activities? For those who choose to participate in physical activities, what’s their drive and motivation? There are many key factors
District budget cuts aren’t new to this Jefferson County School District outdoor enrichment program. Beginning in 1957, the Outdoor Lab program offers a mountain learning experience for Jeffco students. About 5,000 sixth graders and 1,000 high school students attend the 55, week-long Outdoor Labs every year. The program ties into the academic curriculum of the
With the constant progression and advancement of technology in the modern world, it is difficult to predict what life will look like in the near future. Just ten years ago, the limited capabilities of Siri and Alexa were considered revolutionary, Roomba vacuum robots were new and exciting, and self-driving cars were viewed as futuristic. Fast
Members of the Jefferson County Education Association’s opposition to the District’s superintendent caused concerns among former Jeffco School Board members. During the May 29 Jeffco Board of Education meeting the Jefferson County Education Association’s executive team presented a letter detailing reasons for their vote of no confidence in the District’s superintendent Tracy Dorland, requesting her
Cursive writing is often referred to as a form of art and is considered more elegant and efficient than basic handwriting. While many believe this to be true, it seems as though this form of “art” is fading into the past. As a senior in high school, I can confidently say that cursive has no
Construction is officially underway for Primrose School of Wheat Ridge at Applewood, the first of its kind in the city. Slated to open in Winter 2025/2026, the school will offer high-quality early education and child care to local families. Franchise owners Emily and Bryce Durke, inspired by their own search for quality care for their
The Wheat Ridge High School choir program needs a new piano. Choir teacher Ryan Plakorus and the parent-led booster program welcome choir program alumni to sing alongside current choir students for a May 10 concert to raise funds for a new piano to replace the current piano, which has been in the choir room since
Wheat Ridge High School can welcome many students who now attend Jefferson Junior/Senior High School — when and if the Edgewater school closes, according to WRHS Principal Lisa Mahannah. Jefferson County School District officials recently decided to delay a planned 2026-27 school year closure of Jefferson due to low enrollment for one or two school
The second semester at Wheat Ridge High School is particularly busy for the PTSA. Aside from providing dinner for teachers and staff during spring conferences and desserts at the Spring musical, we are ramping up for our biggest events of the year including Scholarships, Post Prom, Staff Appreciation Week, and Farewell Cookies. Scholarships The PTSA
Edgewater residents don’t want Jefferson Junior/Senior High School to close and have developed a plan to hopefully reverse its declining enrollment. The Jefferson County School District has proposed to close Jefferson for the 2026-27 school year and merge the Jefferson and Wheat Ridge articulation areas. Everitt Middle School and Wheat Ridge High School would become
Early in my career as a school psychologist, I worked in a very large school district in another state. The school psychologists there practiced in a “test and place” model, meaning a good chunk of my time was spent conducting psychoeducational evaluations to determine eligibility for special education services. Part of my role involved participating
Montessori education is focused on independence, hands-on-learning and collaboration. Developed by Maria Montessori, this approach emphasizes self-directed learning, mixed-age classrooms, and practical life experience. Unlike traditional schools, where students follow a rigid schedule and standardized curriculum, Montessori education allows students to progress at their own pace, exploring subjects through experiential learning. Compass Montessori is a
Dear Wheat Ridge area staff and families, Tonight, our neighbors to the east in the Jefferson articulation area began a series of meetings that will continue through April to explore the future of programming for secondary students (grades 6-12) in the community. A district wide boundary study published in Spring 2024 raised concerns about the
Living at home as a teenager in today’s economy comes with its own set of challenges, and it’s something I think about when I imagine my future. I plan to move out east for college and hopefully start a career out there, but honestly, I’m worried about how the current economy will impact my studies,
The Wheat Ridge Coalition for Education is hosting a Miracle Shop this holiday season. The shop will be offered to families of Wheat Ridge students who are not able to take advantage of other local assistance. They are now accepting gift donations, and unwrapped items can be dropped off at Jeffco Public Schools, 1829 Denver
It’s that time of year again…school choice. This is the time of year when some families are busy attending school information nights and looking at the Jeffco School Insights website to decide which schools might be a good fit for their student. We are lucky that Wheat Ridge has great school options including traditional neighborhood
