Littleton High Schools

Littleton High School

Littleton High School, c. 2004.

"Littleton Lions"
199 East Littleton Blvd.

A graded school system was introduced to Littleton schools in 1884-5. In 1906, a high school extension was added to the Rapp Street School and the first graduating class occurred in 1906. The distinguished graduating class included:

• Helen Wright
• Clarence Bowman
• Jessie Cozens
• Jay Bair
• Fred Duncan
• Lulu Bowman
• Edwin A. Bemis
• Edith Prescott
• Eddie Lilley

The first Littleton High School building was finished in 1920 and cost $100,000. It served 225 students initially. Architect Robert K. Fuller designed this two-story Art Deco building with decorative brickwork and ceramic tile details. A basement garden level with above ground windows contained a gymnasium, locker rooms, and mechanical rooms. On the first level were an auditorium with stage, four classrooms, and offices. The second level contained four additional classrooms, a library, and a balcony that overlooked the auditorium.

In 1935, funding was acquired to construct three new wings to double the floor space and reduce the overcrowding. Fuller also designed these improvements.

In 1956-8 the school was converted into Grant Junior High School. Further improvements were designed by Alfred Watts, Architect, including a one-story cafeteria with kitchen and six additional classrooms. An annex was added in 1958 to provide space for a music room, shop, home economics rooms, and labs. The additions of 1956-8 were built in a modern 1950s style emphasizing larger windows and different shades of brick. In 1958, a football field was added at the east end of the site and tennis courts were constructed near the corner of Littleton Blvd. and Windermere Street. Grant Junior High was later converted into use by the Littleton School District as administrative offices.

The current Littleton High School, located at 199 E. Littleton Blvd., was completed in 1956 and contained 101,600 square feet. It was designed by Earl C. Morris and built by Mead & Mount. A 1958 addition added 7,092 square feet of classrooms and was designed and built by the same companies for $87,875. In 1961, 78,000 square feet of new classrooms were added for $1,235,000. Earl C. Morris also designed this addition, with general contracting work completed by Weaver Construction Company. Langfur Construction Co. completed remodeling behind the stage in 1968, with designs by Bourn & Dulaney. A new pool was added in 1969 for $394,369. The architect was Nixon-Brown-Brokaw-Bowen, and the contractor Hezlep Construction Co. A new 1,200 square foot shop area was designed by Nixon-Brown-Brokaw-Bowen and built by Weaver Construction in 1979. The auditorium was remodeled and enlarged by 2,400 square feet in 1985. That project went to Allred/Fisher, Architects and Van I. Warden general contractors. These additions more than doubled the original size of the high school.

Littleton High School has earned a special distinction -- one of eight "World Class Schools" in the U.S. and Canada, selected by the National Association of Secondary School Principals. The eight schools all exhibit outstanding characteristics:

1. Clear Vision and High Standards
2. Collaborative Structure
3. Culture of Life-long Learners

Arapahoe High School

"Arapahoe Warriors"
2201 E. Dry Creek Road

Twenty acres of land on which to build a new high school were donated and 28 additional acres were purchased by the Littleton School District in 1962 and 1964. The high school was completed in 1964 at a cost of $1,709,699. The architectural firm of John Lyon Reid & A.W. Grant designed the school and the general contractor was Weaver Construction Company. Arapahoe High School opened in 1964 with over 100,000 square feet of classrooms, specialty rooms and offices.

A 37,367 square foot gymnasium was added in 1965 for $445,150. Morse, Dion & Champion served as architects and Hollister the general contractor. In 1967, a 63,000 square foot addition added a pool, classrooms and theater at a cost of 982,035. Morse, Dion & Champion designed the addition and Webco served as general contractor.

In 1979, another addition of 10,230 square feet created locker rooms, wrestling facilities and a gymnastics gym. The cost was $738,499. Allred/Fisher, Architects designed the addition and Frank Hall & Co. served as construction management. A pool building added 20,490 square feet for a cost of $1,604,066. Allred/Fisher, Architects designed the building and Langley Construction was the general contractor. The next addition occurred in 1987, with the creation of 3,654 square feet of administration and counseling space. Culbertson & Associates served as both designer and general contractor. The total square footage of the high school is over 254,756 square feet and contains a library, kitchen, several gyms, a 647-seat theatre, 70 classrooms, a pool and administrative offices.

Principal Ron Booth wrote in 2004 on the school's website: "Arapahoe High School is well known for its long standing and proud tradition of excellence in every facet of student life. We are well known for maintaining high positive academic and behavioral expectations. Within our 2,000 member student body our faculty maintains focus on the individual student as we provide within our rigorous curriculum challenges, expectations and opportunities ensuring teacher assistance. Arapahoe has maintained the "variable schedule" for nearly 40 years offering students this college type schedule making available an attractive array of academic and elective courses throughout the school week as well as providing students with opportunities to have unscheduled time. Arapahoe has been recognized by the United States Department of Education as a "High School of Excellence" as well as earning each year the "Excellent Rating" from the Colorado Department of Education on the State School Report Card. Arapahoe High School is the only public high school in America which has a unique relationship with the Native American. The Arapaho Tribal Nation has endorsed not only the name of our high school, but also the "Warrior Mascot/Logo". Native American visitors can often be seen in our school interacting with students/staff and teaching classes as well as celebrating with us renewals of our relationship."

Heritage High School

Heritage High School, c. 2004.

"Heritage Eagles"
7109 S. Gallup Street

Heritage is the newest high school in the Littleton School District, completed in 1972 at a cost of $4,570,000. The 230,500 square foot school was designed by Eugene D. Sternberg & Associates, with general contracting completed by Rob Roy Construction. In 1980, Allred/Fisher, Architects designed an additional boys physical education center with locker rooms. Frank M. Hall & Co. completed the project for $357,518.

The name Heritage High School was selected after much consideration within the school district. Other names were considered, but everyone agreed that Heritage was an appropriate name because it is a school "where much of our heritage becomes a living part of us." The name "Heritage" would honor all peoples of all nations. Their mascot became the "Eagles."

Another addition in 1985 created a 10,321 square foot physical education area at a cost of $276,234. Mike Noll designed the addition and Bassett Construction completed the work.

The total size of the school at that time was approximately 248,058 square feet.

Two other additions were designed by Hans Kahn & Associates, with J.L. Williams general contractor, between 1985 and 1990. Today the school consists of 64 classrooms, a 5,328 square foot library, a large kitchen, a gym seating 1,600 people, a 732-seat theatre and administrative offices.

Newsweek Magazine has rated Heritage as one of the top high schools in the United States. In addition, Heritage High School has earned the State of Colorado's John Irwin Schools of Excellence Award because of its "Excellent" rating on the Colorado School Report Card.

Options Program

Options High School, c. 2000.

The building at 6558 South Acoma that had housed the district's administrative services became the location of the district's "Options" program after administrative services moved to the former Littleton High School/Grant Junior High School building at 5776 South Crocker. The Options program opened in August 1988. It is an alternative high school that offers more personal, individualized instruction in smaller classes. Hours are scheduled so students may get out of school earlier in the day, as most of them work, and some are self-supporting. A day-care center is also provided.

Bibliography

Littleton, (Colo.) Independent, Littleton, Colorado: The Littleton Independent Publishers, 1888-

Littleton Independent. The Story of Littleton, Denver's Best Suburb, Golden Jubilee Number, July 22, 1938. Littleton: Littleton Independent Publishers, 1938.

Littleton Independent. Sixtieth Anniversary Edition, 1888-1948. Littleton: Littleton Independent Publishers, 1948.

Littleton School District Six, Records Department, Education Services, 5776 South Crocker Street, Littleton, Colorado 80120. Vertical files.

Littleton Public Schools Website, http://www.littletonpublicschools.net

Photographs courtesy of the Littleton Historical Museum, unless otherwise noted; to order copies, contact the Museum at 303-795-3950.

Compiled by Doris Farmer Hulse, Rebecca Dorward, and Phyllis Larison

Updated January 2004