Career and technical education through the years

Learning that makes students not only career-ready, but life-ready

Building the Foundation

In 1975, the district’s commitment to hands-on learning took shape with the founding of the Bollman Occupational Center. Initially launched as a vocational education center with programs in auto mechanics, carpentry and electronics, Bollman quickly grew into a hub of opportunity.

By 1980, the center, named for longtime school board leader Henry Bollman, offered 11 programs serving more than 750 students from across the district daily. Students explored welding, applied technology, computer-aided design (CAD) and industrial cooperative education in flexible, hands-on environments.

With instructors bringing real-world experience into the classroom and partnerships paving the way to college credit, Bollman became more than a place to gain skills and learn a trade; it was a launchpad for careers.

Expanding Access, Elevating Opportunity

Today, the district’s CTE landscape is thriving. With over 5,900 students enrolled annually, both the Bollman and Washington Square campuses are bustling.

Interest in career pathways has never been stronger, attracting students from every corner of a comprehensive high school.

Medical sciences, including certified nursing assistant (CNA) prep, attract diverse students — many of them newcomers — drawn by proximity to their home high school, a sense of belonging and opportunity. The behavioral health program, now in its fifth year, is one of just two high school programs of its kind in Colorado.

Trades are surging in popularity once again, and the district’s engineering and STEM programs are designed to offer opportunities to students seeking immediate career options, as well as those planning to pursue college. To meet student needs, extended-day options are available for high-demand classes offered into the late afternoon. But the draw to the CTE campuses goes beyond how it prepares students for their future.

“The connection students feel here is powerful,” said Janet Renden, longtime principal at FutureForward at Bollman. “We’re an alternative school but not an alternative learning environment. This is where students come to find their
people — where they wear their school jackets and feel like they belong.”

As the national career cluster framework has evolved, so has the district’s approach. Offering 25 pathways spanning every career sector, Adams 12 Five Star Schools’ program is among the most competitive in the metro area relative to student enrollment.

Since 2016, the district has expanded its CTE offerings by 50%, growing from 18 to 27 unique programs. Enrollment among students of color and those qualifying for free and reduced lunch has steadily increased. The number of students earning industry certifications has grown exponentially — from 167 in 2016 to 792 in 2025 — while total certifications earned rose from 180 to nearly 3,330.

Earlier Access, New Possibilities

The future of CTE in the district is not just about more programs — it’s about bolstering our programs and providing earlier, deeper and more meaningful access.

By fall 2026, all middle school students will be able to explore pathways like culinary arts, business entrepreneurship and digital technologies, building career awareness in their own school. Research shows students who explore careers earlier are more likely to stay engaged and on track in high school.

“These programs don’t just spark interest,” said Kristi Weaver, director of career and technical education and postsecondary readiness. “They help students discover what they want to do and, just as importantly, what they don’t.”

High school programs are expanding too, with new offerings in aviation, dental assisting, cosmetology/barbering, real estate and artificial intelligence (AI) on the horizon. Every new program is carefully selected through a lens of relevance and opportunity.

When the newly rebuilt Thornton High opens its doors in 2029, it will be a fully integrated CTE-pathway school. By embedding core academics within a set of hands-on career pathways — including Advanced Manufacturing; Media Arts and Entertainment; Computer Science and Digital Technology; Culinary and Consumer Science; and Business and Entrepreneurship — Thornton High students will graduate with more than a diploma; they will graduate with hands-on experience and lifelong skills.

Whether it’s through industry certifications, college credit or simply discovering what they don’t want to do, students are seeing their future in a new way.

By constantly reviewing and realigning offerings, the district ensures that CTE remains a launchpad to both college and career success. This evolution is intentional. Our approach is rooted in listening to students, tracking workforce trends and investing in high-demand pathways that prepare students for a successful future.

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Empowering the Future of CTE

In 2013, “Girls Day In” launched at Bollman Tech to encourage more girls to explore diesel, welding and automotive programs — fields where women were underrepresented. Just 30 students attended that first year, mostly listening to panels of women in the trades. But it sparked something. By year two, there was a waitlist.

Today, the event has grown into EmPWR Day — a hands-on, inclusive experience open to all underrepresented students in grades 8-11, including multilingual learners and students with disabilities. Now held at both Bollman and Washington Square campuses, EmPWR Day features workshops led by industry professionals and student ambassadors, giving participants real experience in welding, coding and more.

In 2025, 350 students registered, mostly eighth and ninth graders energized by tours of the campuses and the hands-on experiences. Attendance at the event is just the start, nearly 90% of those who attend go on to register for a FutureForward class. 

The impact is clear: Women make up just 5% of firefighters and 13% of law enforcement nationally, but at FutureForward, they represent 35% and 60% of those programs, respectively.

From 30 girls to hundreds of future-ready students, EmPWR Day is building a workforce that reflects the world.

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BROOKE MCKAIG
Graphic Design Instructor at FutureForward at Bollman

My CTE experience was life-changing — after taking every art class offered at Northglenn, I was looking for something new. I had never heard of Bollman but took a chance to explore and learn more. I knew right away I found where I was supposed to be. I discovered my place and realized my potential in my first class. That’s why I’m passionate about teaching today, because career and technical education classes give students the chance to explore real skills and career paths.

My advice to current and prospective CTE students is this:
It’s just as important to know what you don’t want to do as what you do want to do. Take advantage of the opportunity to try different pathways, earn college credit and build employability skills while still in high school. It will help you find the career that fits you best.

Northglenn High School, Class of 1993

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ELLEN GUTIERREZ
 Diesel Instructor at FutureForward at Washington Square

CTE didn’t just teach me about engines — it changed the direction of my life. I walked into that first class at Bollman with zero experience, but I found a place where I truly fit in. The hands-on learning came naturally, and for the first time, school made sense. That class uncovered a passion I didn’t know I had, gave me skills I could take anywhere, and — most importantly — gave me confidence in my abilities and in the idea that I could build something real with my own two hands.

After 10 years in the diesel and construction industry, I never imagined I’d return as a teacher. But now, helping students build their skills and watching that “light bulb” moment when it all clicks — that’s one of the most rewarding
things I’ve ever done. 

To any student considering CTE:
Take full advantage of what you’re learning — it truly has the power to change your life.

Legacy High School, Class of 2014

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ROBERT BLACKBURN
Auto Technology Instructor at FutureForward at Bollman

“Rebuilding the engine on my 1975 Chevy Monza as a senior at Bollman — with the support and guidance of instructors who truly cared — cemented what I wanted to do with my life. Those hands-on experiences didn’t just teach me automotive skills; they shaped my work ethic and set me up for a successful 15-year career in the industry. 

Coming full circle to now teach in the same program where it all started is a privilege. I’ve seen firsthand how this industry evolves and how unprepared some newcomers are. That’s why I’m here — to pass along what I’ve learned and give students the same foundation I was lucky to have. 

To any student considering CTE:
This path isn’t easy, but if you take it seriously, it can lead to a rewarding career. Your knowledge and perseverance will give you a sense of accomplishment that’s hard to beat. ”

Thornton High School, Class of 1991