SUMMIT HEIGHTS JUNIOR HIGH

ADAMS 14 SCHOOL DISTRICT

Summit Heights Junior High in the Adams 14 School District is a new educational facility created to unify two aging schools, Adams City Middle School and Kearney Middle School, into a single, modern campus that supports both student achievement and community connection. Funded through the district’s successful 2024 Bond, the school reflects a forward-thinking approach to middle-level education. The design combines academic innovation with a strong emphasis on student well-being, cultural identity, and long-term operational sustainability.

The new school will serve approximately 750 students in 7th and 8th grade, with room to grow to 850. Located on district-owned land near East 72nd Avenue, the campus is being designed to meet modern technology standards while supporting a wide range of academic, athletic, and community programs.

The Inspiration

At the heart of the educational vision is an academy-based learning model that provides early exposure to career pathways typically explored in high school. Students will engage in four distinct academies: Architecture, Construction, Engineering and Design; Design Innovations Technology; Business, Hospitality and Tourism; and Health Science and Human Services. Each academy includes dedicated lab and classroom spaces designed for hands-on, project-based learning, supported by flexible instructional areas and technology-rich environments that prepare students for real-world success.

The project was shaped through a collaborative process with a Design Advisory Group including district administrators, educators, students, facilities staff, the future principal, representatives from JHL Constructors, and the district’s owner’s representative. Their guidance helped ensure the school reflects the priorities and needs of its students, staff, and community.