Aurora Central High School Celebrates $19 Million School Addition & Renovation
Posted on 10/04/2024
Charles Burrell plus Aurora Central High School students and staff cut a ceremonial ribbon

For the past year, Aurora Central High School students have eagerly awaited the transformation of their school's performing arts spaces. Now, students are able to enjoy a newly added state-of-the-art dance room and theater tech room plus a completely renovated auditorium. Students are also enjoying their renovated choir and instrumental music rooms.

Aurora Central recently hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the creation of the new arts spaces. These updates to the performing arts wing are actually the second phase of construction/renovation at the school. Phase 1 occurred during the 2022-23 school year when all of the school's visual arts spaces (digital music, digital arts, digital gaming, etc.) were renovated. Together, both phases represent a $19 million investment in the school that was first built in 1955.

Aurora Central has been bolstering its emphasis on the arts since it became part of the Charles Burrell Visual & Performing Arts Campus in 2022. Aurora Central and the nearby Burrell K-8 combine to make Aurora's only rigorous, arts-integrated magnet school campus for students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

The campus is named after legendary musician Charles Burrell who became the first Black person to sign a contract with a major American symphony. Mr. Burrell had the honor of joining Aurora Central students and staff in cutting the ceremonial ribbon. The ceremony also featured dance, instrumental and vocal performances by Aurora Central students.

On October 4, Mr. Burrell turned an incredible 104-years-old and celebrated his birthday at the Dazzle Denver jazz club. Six students from Aurora Central's show choir performed at the event to honor Mr. Burrell for all of the inspiration he has given to the campus that bears his name.