History

The first schoolhouse in Coal Creek Canyon existed along Twin Spruce Road in 1890. Over the next 20 years enrollment hovered at 10 to 15 students. Two of the prominent families in Coal Creek Canyon, who had children attending the school, were the Bengsons and the Brumms. August Brumm became the secretary of Jefferson County School District No. 27 in 1916.

Coal Creek Canyon's School District No. 27 changed names during this period and was known as the Columbine School District.

old school house

Old Columbine

Nearly 90 years passed and one part of the Columbine school house (pictured on the right) was moved from its original location in 2001 to Coal Creek Canyon K-8's Ecology site. The other half of the original schoolhouse is still standing and is now the living room of a private residence.

A second Columbine schoolhouse was built in 1922 along Plainview & Highway 72. In the early 50's the school was closed down and the children were bused to schools in Arvada and Golden until the current school was completed.

Coal Creek Elementary was built in 1962 at 11719 Ranch Elsie Road. In 2003-2004 a new addition was built which showcases the beautiful mountain setting and houses the school's administrative offices and library. Coal Creek Canyon K-8 school is a Jefferson County Public School for the elementary and middle school level.

More than a century later, that tradition was at risk when the school district planned to close Coal Creek Canyon Elementary. In 2024, the mountain community rallied together and fought hard to keep its school open. Jefferson Academy Charter Schools stepped in to preserve the school, incorporating Coal Creek Canyon into the Jefferson Academy charter network and creating Jefferson Academy Coal Creek Canyon (JA CCC). Today, JA CCC continues the legacy of community-centered education, serving Pre-K through 8th grade students and remaining a vital hub for families throughout the mountain community.

This information was excerpted from Coal Creek Canyon, Colorado: Tales from Times Past edited by Vickie Moran 2011.