An education for the real world—not just an exam.
The STEAD School is a project-based STEM high school in Commerce City, where students learn by doing—through real projects, AP coursework, internships, and career pathways, in a community that knows every student by name.
9-12 Grades served on the L.C. Fulenwider Campus
AP and college credit
Stretch as far as your student is ready to go, and graduate with credits already on the transcript.
Project-based learning
Your student tackles real problems with their hands, not just their notes.
Real-world career pathways
Internships and applied pathways turn classroom learning into real experience.
A small, supportive community
A close-knit school where every student is known by name and supported.
Hands-on learning meets college & career readiness.
STEAD students don’t just study for the test—they build, investigate, and present real work. Here’s what makes the experience different.
Learning by doing, every day.
Students tackle integrative projects that mirror real careers—researching, prototyping, and presenting solutions to authentic problems. Knowledge sticks because it’s used, not just memorized.
- Cross-disciplinary, real-world challenges
- Public exhibitions of student work
- Hive Weeks for deep, focused study
Challenge that opens doors.
STEAD offers more AP options than other district high schools, plus concurrent enrollment for college credit. Students graduate with momentum—and a transcript that proves it.
- Advanced Placement across disciplines
- Concurrent & college-credit enrollment
- Sustainable solutions to real challenges
A future that’s already in motion.
Internships and work-based learning connect students to real employers, while a small, supportive community makes sure no one slips through the cracks. Every student is known here.
- Internships & work-based learning
- Athletics, clubs & student life
- Every student known and supported
Our commitment
We’re building a school community that’s diverse and welcoming to everyone. We know that not every student has had access to high-quality learning, and that long-standing inequities have left some communities behind. STEAD exists to change that, supporting student leaders as they become the critical thinkers and risk-takers who will challenge those systems.
Hear it from STEAD families
Families tell this story better than we can. Here’s what parents say about life at STEAD.
My child felt welcome and comfortable right away. She enjoys the learning atmosphere and doesn’t want to go back to lecture-style classes. The staff is awesome, too.
Our daughter is thriving at STEAD. She’s stepped into leadership in so many ways, and she’s growing in her relationships with her guides and her peers.
My son has never liked school, but this past year he’s grown so much, he’s actually sad it’s summer break. We finally found a way of learning that works for him. Thank you to all the amazing staff who made this school so special.
STEAD has brought out the leadership side of my student in a way that other schools never did. He’s invested.
My daughter loves STEAD! I’ve watched her blossom since she started, and I couldn’t be happier with the school.
See STEAD in action.
STEAD is a genuinely unique experience—we highly recommend visiting so you and your student can feel how it works. Pick the option that fits you best.
An education that prepares your child for the real world—not just an exam. Here, every student is known.
— The STEAD School community
