Groundbreaking for New Thornton High School
![District, community and school leaders at the Thornton High groundbreaking ceremony]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1779224180/adams12org/qtq3dowlb887t8rrgon7/2026_THS_Groundbreaking134.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1779224180/adams12org/qtq3dowlb887t8rrgon7/2026_THS_Groundbreaking134.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1779224180/adams12org/qtq3dowlb887t8rrgon7/2026_THS_Groundbreaking134.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1779224180/adams12org/qtq3dowlb887t8rrgon7/2026_THS_Groundbreaking134.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1779224180/adams12org/qtq3dowlb887t8rrgon7/2026_THS_Groundbreaking134.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1779224180/adams12org/qtq3dowlb887t8rrgon7/2026_THS_Groundbreaking134.jpg","width":2200}])
- Bond
Groundbreaking for New Thornton High School
Adams 12 Five Star Schools celebrated the official groundbreaking for the new Thornton High School on Tuesday, May 19, marking a major milestone in the district’s voter-approved 2024 bond program and the future of one of the district’s longest-standing high school communities.
The event brought together students, staff, families, district leaders, elected officials and community partners to celebrate the start of construction on the new school. Speakers included Adams 12 Five Star Schools Superintendent Chris Gdowski, Thornton High School Principal Charles Arellano, Board of Education President Lori Goldstein and Thornton Mayor Jan Kulmann.
The program also featured performances from Thornton High School cheerleaders and drumline, along with a ceremonial groundbreaking that included student leaders, district representatives and community partners.
“Today's groundbreaking is about honoring history, while looking ahead to new chapters,” said Arellano, a Thornton High alumnus. “The new Thornton High School will create new opportunities for students and staff and will also carry over the pride, the relationships and the rich traditions that make the school so special.”
The new Thornton High School is one of the core projects included in the district’s 2024 bond, which was approved by voters to support investments in schools throughout the district.
Construction begins this month and will be completed in phases, allowing Thornton High School to continue serving students while the new building is constructed. The first wing of the new school is scheduled to open in summer 2028. The second wing is scheduled to be completed in winter 2029, with the completed building ready for students in fall 2030.
The project will replace the existing Thornton High School with a modern learning environment designed to support current and future students while honoring the school’s history and deep community ties. Student leaders from Thornton Elementary, a Thornton High feeder school, also participated in the ceremony, representing future Trojans who could be among the first students to attend the fully completed new school.
Design plans and renderings for the new school were available for attendees to view following the ceremony.
- Thornton High School
![Free summer meals]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1684254253/adams12org/issyx7imxlobugcirgoh/freesummermeals.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1684254253/adams12org/issyx7imxlobugcirgoh/freesummermeals.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1684254253/adams12org/issyx7imxlobugcirgoh/freesummermeals.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1684254253/adams12org/issyx7imxlobugcirgoh/freesummermeals.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1684254253/adams12org/issyx7imxlobugcirgoh/freesummermeals.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1684254253/adams12org/issyx7imxlobugcirgoh/freesummermeals.png","width":2200}])
![Gov. Polis signs childcare bill]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1780517377/adams12org/az4qd22rmxzz7clzttk3/PolisBillSign.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1780517377/adams12org/az4qd22rmxzz7clzttk3/PolisBillSign.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1780517377/adams12org/az4qd22rmxzz7clzttk3/PolisBillSign.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1780517377/adams12org/az4qd22rmxzz7clzttk3/PolisBillSign.jpg","width":1182}])
![Pride month graphic]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1717794186/adams12org/sfbp0fwlxdn8ay3wjbx9/PrideMonthThumbnail.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1717794186/adams12org/sfbp0fwlxdn8ay3wjbx9/PrideMonthThumbnail.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1717794186/adams12org/sfbp0fwlxdn8ay3wjbx9/PrideMonthThumbnail.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1717794186/adams12org/sfbp0fwlxdn8ay3wjbx9/PrideMonthThumbnail.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1717794186/adams12org/sfbp0fwlxdn8ay3wjbx9/PrideMonthThumbnail.png","width":1560}])