Some things in life really feel irreplaceable. Cue Beyoncé—and her BeyHive.
But after almost 60 years, Laredo Elementary School has arrived at a critical juncture. The school has been etched in the Aurora community since 1967 and served generations of families. However, nearly six decades of wear and tear have come to fruition, and thanks to overwhelming voter support of our 2024 Bond Program, the school will be rebuilt and ready to serve the next generation of successful students.
Principal Haleh Torbaghan understands how vital it is to offer students the best of the best, ensuring their school experience aligns with the potential they bring to class each day.
“I believe our new building will send a powerful message about our commitment to students, families and the entire community,” Torbaghan said. “The design and functionality of the space will reflect our belief that every child deserves a learning environment that inspires curiosity, creativity and belonging.”
Laredo’s history is cemented—they are a trailblazer within Aurora Public Schools. While it’s a clear point of pride, the existing building is in need of significant repairs. Despite incremental improvements over the past 15-plus years, including a gym addition, HVAC project and new windows, the time has come for a new facility altogether for students and staff.
The new building, which is set to open for the 2028-29 school year, will come equipped with the latest systems, technology and infrastructure to support Laredo students in powering their potential.
“The library/media center will be a big focus of the new school,” Torbaghan said. “It will be a space that will be visible to all passing through and have creative spaces for students.”
Because of the school’s spacious site, construction on the new two-story building can take place while students continue learning in the existing one. Once the new facility opens, the old structure will eventually be torn down and removed. This will make way for upgraded playgrounds and
soccer fields, both of which are heavily used by Laredo’s community on nights and weekends.
Longtime Laredo teacher and interventionist Judy Heidemann has witnessed the school’s growth for the past 17 years. While she acknowledges how bittersweet it will be, she knows the move has a huge upside.
“Leaving the old building means saying goodbye to a place filled with memories, but it’s also exciting to move into a new space that represents growth, change, and new beginnings,” Heidemann said.
The story of Laredo Elementary is one of resilience, pride and progress. As our community looks ahead to 2028, the promise of a new building represents more than bricks and mortar—it’s a celebration of what’s possible when a community invests in its future. Simply put, that investment is a key ingredient that’s helping APS truly become THE Destination District in Colorado.