STEM ESSENTIALS

SAFE TO TELL

Your voice is essential to a safe and supportive school community. If something is affecting a student’s ability to learn or to feel secure, no concern is too small to share. Every report is anonymous and is received through a confidential system. Reports are then relayed to local law enforcement and school officials for investigation.  Reports are reviewed by our administrative team, who follows through with the appropriate next steps.  Please report anything that worries or threatens you, your friends, your family, or our community; your vigilance helps us respond quickly and keep every learner focused on growth and success. Call 1-877-542-7233 or report online at safe2tell.org. 

safe2tell.org

In the event of inclement weather, the Executive Director may implement one of several options to ensure the safety of our students and staff: a virtual learning day, a delayed start, or a full school closure. While STEM School Highlands Ranch may sometimes follow the weather-related decisions made by the Douglas County School District, the Executive Director may also make independent decisions based on what is best for our school community.

To keep families informed, notifications will be sent by both text message and email as soon as a decision is made. These alerts are designed to give parents as much advance notice as possible to make necessary arrangements. We encourage all families to ensure their contact information is up to date in our system so that they receive timely updates during weather events.

In the event of an emergency, STEM families will receive notifications via text message or email to ensure clear and timely communication. We understand how important it is for parents to stay informed, especially during unexpected situations. Our dedicated security team and staff are highly trained and ready to respond swiftly to any on-campus emergency, always prioritizing the safety and well-being of every student and staff member. Your trust is important to us, and we are committed to keeping you connected and supported when it matters most.

The safety of our students and staff is a top priority. Our comprehensive security measures include a full-time School Resource Officer (SRO), a team of professional security guards, and secure, double-locked entrance doors during school hours. All visitors are screened through the Raptor system to ensure only authorized individuals enter the building. We’ve also implemented the Evolve detection system—an advanced, rapid, and thorough screening technology that enhances security while maintaining efficient entry for students, staff and visitors. In addition, we follow the Standard Response Protocol (SRP), which ensures a clear, practiced plan for how to respond to emergencies. While we know that safety is a sensitive subject, our goal is to provide families with peace of mind through thoughtful, consistent, and transparent practices.

Learn more about Standard Response Protocol

Important Medical Information for 2025-26 School Year

We are very excited to welcome back our students to STEM for the 2025-26 school year. We want to make sure all students with medication needs have the proper forms on file at the beginning of the school year. Please review the DCSD medication policies for Elementary students and for Secondary students if your child requires medication while at school, their physician will need to fill out the following forms before the first day of school. These forms can be returned to our K-12 school nurse, Mallory Jimenez, at nurse@stemk12.org or turned in to one of the health offices along with the medication starting on July 28.

Elementary Students (K-5)
The use of medication at school is discouraged in most instances. Most medications are available in long acting form and parents are encouraged to administer such medication at home.

Medication to be given at school (prescription medication and over-the-counter) must have a completed Student Medication Request and Release Agreement and Provider Authorization form on file.

All prescription medication must be furnished in the original pharmacy-labeled container, with the student’s name, medication, dosage, and physician on the label. Over-the-counter medications must be in an original container (these requirements are state regulations). Medication in baggies will not be accepted.

Middle School Students (6-8)

Middle school students may assume responsibility for bringing to school and administering their own medication, provided they carry only enough for one day and have the “Permission to Self-Carry and Self-Admin Medication” form on file in the school office. Students using poor judgment in carrying and taking their own medication will have such medication confiscated by school personnel, and parents or guardians will be notified. A structured plan will then be developed for the administration of the medication. Any parent or guardian who chooses not to sign the permission to carry medication form may request that a structured plan be devised for his or her student.

High School Students (9-12)

High school students may assume the responsibility of bringing to school and administering their own medication, provided they carry only enough for one day. Students who appear to be using poor judgment in carrying and taking their own medication will have such medication confiscated by school personnel, and parents or guardians will be notified. A structured plan will then be developed for the administration of medication. Any parent may also request that a structured plan be devised for their student. On an overnight field trip, students may bring enough medication for the duration of the field trip.

Below are the medication forms needed. We will begin accepting medication starting on August 1 if you would like to bring your child’s medication to STEM before the first day of school.
 

DOWNLOAD ALLERGY & EPIPEN EMERGENCY PLAN

DOWNLOAD ASTHMA ACTION PLAN

Secondary
Medications for secondary students are handled differently from elementary
students.

Middle School ( 6- 8 )
Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students may assume responsibility for bringing to
school and administering their own medication providing they carry only enough
for one day and have the “Permission to Self-Carry and Self-Admin Medication"
form on file in the school office . Students using poor judgment in carrying and
taking their own medication will have such medication confiscated by school
personnel, and parents or guardian will be notified. A structured plan will then be
developed for the administration of the medication. Any parent or guardian who
chooses not to sign the permission to carry medication form may request that a
structured plan be devised for his or her student.

High School ( 9 - 12 )
High school students may assume the responsibility of bringing to school and
administering their own medication, providing they carry only enough for one day.
Students who appear to be using poor judgment in carrying and taking their own
medication will have such medication confiscated by school personnel, and
parents or guardian will be notified. A structured plan will then be developed for
the administration of medication. Any parent may also request that a structured
plan be devised for their student. On an overnight field trip, students may bring
enough medication for the duration of the field trip.

Over-the-counter Medications
Students at the secondary level may carry over the counter medications such as
acetaminophen, cold preparations, or vitamins, but should carry only a one day
supply as per above policy. A permission to carry from is not required for these
products.

Students who have emergency medication for life threatening health conditions
should report to the office that they carry such medications in the event that an
emergency renders them unable to respond as planned. The school nurse will
contact such students to work out an emergency plan for the administration of
this medication.

DOWNLOAD MEDICATION RELEASE AND REQUEST FORM

DOWNLOAD PERMISSION TO SELF-ADMINISTER MEDICATIONS FORM

DOWNLOAD PROVIDER MEDICATION AUTHORIZATION FORM

DOWNLOAD VACCINE EXEMPTION - MEDICAL FORM

DOWNLOAD VACCINE EXEMPTION - NON-MEDICAL FORM

STEM Athletics follows Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) guidelines, which require all student-athletes to have a current physical on file. As part of registration, families must upload a completed physical form. Students may not participate in practice until both registration and the physical form are submitted.

CHSAA PRE-PARTICIPATION PHYSICAL EVALUATION FORM

Download the middle & High School Block schedule

Secondary School (6-12) uses a rotating block schedule with extended class periods that give students time to dive deeper into learning. Students attend four longer classes each day on alternating Blue and Gold days, with class periods ranging from 80 to 105 minutes. This allows for richer discussions, hands-on projects, and fewer transitions throughout the day. This schedule is designed to balance academic depth, personal support, and flexibility. Students also benefit from a dedicated Access period twice a week for mentoring, school-wide assemblies. social emotional learning, and goal setting and an optional teacher office hours period from 3:30–4:00 PM for extra support (days based on teacher scheduling).

• Blue Days (Monday & Wednesday): Periods 1, 3, 5, 7
• Gold Days (Tuesday & Thursday): Periods 2, 4, 6, 8
• Silver Days (Friday): All 8 periods in shorter 45–65 minute blocks to maintain continuity across the week.

Download the middle & high school block rotation schedule

Morning Drop-Off

Secondary students who do not have an Elementary sibling (or are not part of a carpool with an Elementary student) get dropped off in the East Driveline off Ridgeline Blvd. starting at 7:35 AM. Students who are not in their classroom by 8:00 AM are considered tardy and will be marked as such by their teacher. Please plan to arrive at school by 7:50 AM to allow enough time for your student to get through the Evolv system and get to class on time. If tardy, the student must sign in at the front desk before proceeding to class.

• Enter the south access on Ridgeline Blvd. (Right Turn Only)
• Circulate the internal roadway and parking area as directed
  • Right Lane is designated for High School drivers
  • Left Lanes (2) are designated for Secondary driveline
• Stop in designated area and wait until all vehicles around you have come to a complete stop and the attendant directs students to exit the vehicles
• Exit as directed by the attendant

High School Drivers: HS drivers (displaying a STEM-issued HS Parking Pass) will enter using the right hand lane to park in the High School Parking Lot 

AFTERNOON PICK UP-Off

Secondary School (6-12) dismisses at 3:30 PM. 

Secondary (6-12) Driveline

• Enter the south access on Ridgeline Blvd. (Right Turn Only) 
• Circulate the internal roadway and parking area as directed
  • Left Lanes (2) are designated for middle and high school driveline
  • Stop and wait until all vehicles around you have come to a complete stop and the attendant directs students to enter the vehicles
  • Exit as directed by the attendant
  • Bikers and Walkers must cross at designated crosswalks.

For Secondary Students: Anyone not picked up by 3:45 PM must report to Secondary (6-12) After School Care (fees will apply).

Enforcement policy: Citations and fines will be instituted if Driveline rules aren’t followed.

Secondary (6 - 12) After School Care
STEM Secondary provides safe and supervised after school care for middle and high school students from 3 – 5:30 PM on school days. After school care takes place in the MS cafeteria on the west side of campus, and parents pick up their students at STEM’s Athletic Entrance. No need to schedule in advance; students can simply drop in once registered. Care is only offered on days when school is in session and not during school holidays or breaks.

SmartCare Childcare Platform
SmartCare manages student attendance and payment for secondary after-care. Please register your student(s) in SmartCare before they attend. To register, email enrichment@stemk12.org with the subject “SmartCare,” and we’ll set up an account for you.

Contact:
Direct Line (during After-School Care hours): (720) 679-7478
Questions? For more information, email enrichment@stemk12.org

Secondary students may request lockers to use throughout the school year. Lockers are organized by grade level and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis after payment is received. The yearly locker fee is $10, payable through MySchoolBucks. 

Once payment is confirmed, STEM will assign lockers within 48 school hours, and parents will receive an email with the locker number and combination. If you have any questions, please contact us at info@stemk12.org.

LOCKER REQUEST FORM

Students interested in purchasing a 2025 - 26 Student Parking Pass should complete the 2025-26 Student Parking Pass Request form. The parking pass fee is $50, and a valid driver’s license is required to apply.

Pass Pickup

Parking passes will be billed through the student's MySchoolBucks account.  Students must present a valid driver’s license to receive their pass. Parking passes will be available for pickup in the Secondary School Office starting August 11 during Spartan Start Orientation. 

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact info@stemk12.org.

Parking PaSS REQUEST FORM

Reach your counselor

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION COMING SOON!

DOwnload the high school academic planning guide

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION COMING SOON!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION COMING SOON!

SAVE THE DATE

August 11th, 8 AM - 3 PM: Spartan Start: Back-to-School Student Orientation (Grades 6-12). Join us for Spartan Start, the orientation event for all Secondary (Middle School and High School) students at STEM School Highlands Ranch. 

SAVE THE DATE

August 20th, 5 PM - 7:30 PM: Back-to-School Night (Grades 6-12). Parents attend to get acquainted with their student's bell schedule. Principals, Counselors, PTO and Board of Directors will be in attendance to answer parent questions.

SAVE THE DATES

Parent-Teacher Conferences for Middle School and High School (Grades 6-12). Meeting where parents and teachers talk about a student’s progress, engagement, and how to support their learning.

• October 7th, Last names starting with A-L. Regular School Day.
• October 9th, Last names starting with M-Z. Regular School Day.

At STEM+ Athletics, students grow beyond the game. They gain confidence, resilience, and teamwork—skills that shape strong leaders. Sports reflect our mission to Never Stop Innovating, showing that real progress happens when we challenge ourselves to go further.

LEARN MORE ABOUT STEM+ ATHLETICS 

At STEM+ Fine Arts, imagination becomes a tool for discovery. Students explore emotion, identity, and storytelling through a wide range of disciplines such as Visual Arts, Theater, Music and Digital Media Arts. It’s where creativity meets curiosity and where artistic expression drives innovation.

LEARN MORE ABOUT STEM+ FINE ARTS 

STEM+ Enrichment Programs unlock a world of possibility. With 60+ clubs and activities, like BEST Robotics, Dungeons & Dragons or Girls Who Code, students dive into what excites them developing creativity, leadership, and real-world skills that prepare them for the future. The 2025 - 26 signups are available now!

LEARN MORE & REGISTER FOR ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS

STEM+ Clubs, Student Groups and Honor Societies empower students to take initiative, sharpen their leadership skills, and connect with peers through purpose-driven groups. With opportunities like DECA, FBLA, TSA, and National Honor Societies, learners step into roles that build confidence, professionalism, and a drive to make an impact.

LEARN MORE ABOUT STEM+ CLUBS 

We encourage all students to get involved—it's a great way to build community and enhance the STEM experience.

Registration links coming soon!