Students, families, and staff walked the halls for the first time, exploring all the spaces: a large and open common area where students can congregate, a beautiful gym with a proud eagle emblem, and all the classrooms.
Students lead The Pledge of Allegiance before the start of the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Sky Ranch Preparatory Academy on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
“There was so much excitement in the building!” Principal Jeremiah Whalen said. “Our students have been able to see the construction progress and most, if not all, were seeing the building for the first time. They could not wait to have the chance to explore the building, reconnect with old friends, and mentally start to plan out their first day.”
Principal Jeremiah Whalen, center, speaks in the gymnasium during the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Sky Ranch Preparatory Academy on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
Whalen led the ceremonial ribbon-cutting, along with school leaders from National Heritage Academies® (NHA) and members of the school board. Children delighted in playing with the streamers that filled the air as the ribbon was cut.
“What stands out to me is the gratitude,” Whalen said. “It caused me to reflect on the many people and groups that had to work together to make this process a success. I couldn't contain my gratitude for everyone who, whether in the spotlight or not, helped to make our high school possible.”
The front entryway of the new Sky Ranch Preparatory Academy.
Sky Ranch Preparatory Academy will offer grades 7-10 for the 2026-27 school year, with plans to add one grade per year through grade 12. It will serve as the high school for nearby Sky Ranch Academy, which opened in 2023.
The future holds plenty for the schools, and Principal Whalen saw that clearly as both schools hosted meet and greet events at the same time.
Sky Ranch Prep staff members smile and react after launching streamers in the gym after the ribbon-cutting at Sky Ranch Preparatory Academy on Thursday, August 6, 2026.
“I saw dozens of K-6 families wandering around the high school,” Whalen said. “It was great to see that they were looking ahead and starting to think about the future in the 7-12 building!”
Congratulations on a great event and good luck in the new school year, Sky Ranch!
About Sky Ranch Academy
Sky Ranch Academy is a tuition-free, public charter school in Watkins, Colorado, serving students in kindergarten through eleventh grade. It is part of the National Heritage Academies (NHA®) network, which includes more than 100 tuition-free, public charter schools serving more than 65,000 students in kindergarten through high school across nine states. For more information, visit nhaschools.com.
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