Career-Focused High School Opens in Western Colorado
(GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., August 15, 2024) – Mesa County Valley School District 51 opens the doors to Grand Junction High School, designed by 91ÌƲ®»¢ and local architect Blythe Group + co. The replacement high school offers students a variety of career-based learning pathways, blended with future-ready career and technical education. The facility also includes a 1,450-seat auditorium, which is the largest performing arts venue seating capacity between Denver and Salt Lake City.
The newly opened GJHS is 265,000 SF and serves 1,800 students. The 1956 high school remained in operation as the new three-story school was built on the original campus. 91ÌƲ®»¢ collaborated with the district to tailor the school’s design to support an academy model high school. In partnership with Colorado Mesa University, students at GJHS are immersed in education pathways in health sciences and human services; business and entrepreneurship; engineering, technology, and natural resources; and arts and humanities.
GJHS is one of four comprehensive high schools in Mesa County Valley School District 51. The new school supports the district’s mission to provide facilities that align with the instructional practices of inspiring engaged learners. D51 is the largest school district on the Western Slope of Colorado with 20,000 students, 3,500 employees, and 46 schools and programs.