Aurora Public Schools students start the 2024-25 school year Wednesday

AURORA, Colo. — Aurora Public Schools students started the new school year Wednesday. This is one of the earliest districts in Colorado to go back to school.

At Hinkley High School, seniors said they’re looking forward to their final year, while freshmen were just trying to get acquainted with the new building.

Aurora Public Schools students start the 2024-25 school year Wednesday

Senior Laila Solorzano also reflected on the past three years of hard work.

“It’s paid off especially this upcoming year because I have a lot of free time now with all the classes I’ve taken and credits, I have a lot more opportunities for other classes and other programs now,” Solorzano said.

Solorzano is one of many Hinkley students who will complete enough coursework for an associate’s degree by the time she graduates next spring.

As Aurora works to provide more opportunities for college and career readiness, the district is also facing infrastructure needs.

Tuesday night, the Aurora school board voted unanimously to send a mill levy override and bond measure to voters this fall. The mill levy override would generate $30 million to increase staff salaries and fund various programs. The bond measure would generate a billion dollars to build a new high school and two new elementary schools, as well as update older schools.

Aurora Public Schools

The district just completed renovations on the APS stadium, adjacent to Hinkley High School. The improvements will be unveiled during a middle school track meet on Aug. 17. APS is also opening a new early childhood development center in the old Sable Elementary School building, giving new life to a school that closed because of low enrollment.

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