Construction crews placed the final steel beam atop Elementary School 51 this afternoon, marking the moment Sterling Ranch’s first Douglas County School District school reached its full height. Following a construction tradition, the beam was signed by participants before a crane lifted it into place.
“It is so special to watch our community unite around our new school. We’re building a foundation grounded in care, deep relationships, and high standards,” said Julie Crawford, principal for the new school. “More than just a building, our school will serve as a community anchor where every student feels safe, seen, and inspired to succeed.”
“Families are moving to Sterling Ranch because of how safe Douglas County is and because of the incredible School District and charter schools within Douglas County. We always envisioned that kids within Sterling Ranch would one day walk to school, and today’s milestone along with John Adams Academy’s first day of school means that has become a reality,” said Brock Smethills, president at Sterling Ranch Development Company. “A big thank you to the voters who approved the bond, the district that carried it forward, and the crews out here today. Our job was to plan a community where parents could walk their kids to school, and it is a good day when that dream comes to fruition.”
The topping out marks a milestone for the Sterling Ranch community. When it opens, the school will be the first DCSD elementary school built to serve Sterling Ranch families, giving students four elementary schools to choose from within the Chatfield Valley, including two new schools in their own neighborhood.
About the School
Elementary School 51, a temporary designation until the school is officially named, spans roughly 91,000 square feet and is designed to serve up to approximately 750 students from preschool through fifth grade. The building is located at 8220 Piney River Ave, Littleton, CO 80125.
The school is scheduled to open in August 2027 for the 2027–28 school year. A school naming process has included community feedback on possible school names, with the Board of Education to ultimately make the final decision. Enrollment is anticipated to open in November 2026.
Project Background
Monday’s topping out is the first major public milestone since the formal groundbreaking held in January 2026. Setting the highest structural element means the frame is complete and the project now moves into enclosing the building, this includes the roofing, exterior walls, and the interior work.
The project is funded by the 2024 voter-approved bond. The design was drafted by MOA Architecture, and JHL Constructors is the general contractor.
About Sterling Ranch
Sterling Ranch is Douglas County’s premier new home community located at the base of the breathtaking Rocky Mountain Foothills near Highlands Ranch and Littleton. Colorado-inspired homes in an awe-inspiring Colorado location.
Sterling Ranch has ranked the #1 best-selling master-planned community in the Denver metro area for several consecutive years, the top-selling community in Colorado since 2023, and among the Top 50 best-selling master-planned communities in the nation last year.
