4274 S Fundy Way
Aurora, CO 80013

As a teacher at SHHS, I can honestly say this place is so incredibly special. Contrary to some of these other reviews, this school, and any high school for that matter, is what you make it. Most students who dislike school make the choice to not be involved. There are clubs, sports, AP/IB courses, volunteer opportunities, a dynamite fine arts department, and more. The teachers here love and care about their students. I know that I am biased as someone who works here, but all of my colleagues are here because we love helping young people achieve their dreams. Smoky gets a lot of unfair judgement. The reality is that it is a wonderful, diverse, awesome high school to send your students to.

The year before my children started at HCMS, I worked for a program in district. One of my 7th grade students begged me not to send my children to HCMS. I should have listened.The first year my daughter was spied on and bullied in the bathrooms. I told both my children not to use the public restrooms at this school. I went to Dr. Wienhold with my concerns. He listened to me on the phone. That was about it.During 7th grade, the experience was ok. My daughter was in 7th grade Honors Language arts and her teacher, Ms. Hooks, did an amazing job challenging her and supporting her emotional well-being. My daughter went on zero field trips, because she was not part of the AVID program anymore, as our family does not meet the criteria. My son did get to go on field trips because he was a part of ILC and has been supported and sheltered by the amazing ILC team at HCMS. They are a bright shining spot at HCMS and deserve so much more recognition than they receive.In the fall of 2024, my husband and I received a message that the Honors Language Arts class would be studying "Stamped." My daughter was offered alternate curricula as Stamped is a controversial text. We opted for the alternate unit, assuming it would be taught by a licensed teacher. Instead, my daughter was expected to sit in a hallway reading three different books, all which would have been excellent choices for the entire class. Example, "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind," a wonderful book about a man who overcame his struggles through perseverance and persistence. "Code talkers." An amazing book that uplifts the importance of Native Americans during World War II. As my daughter sat in the hallway, teaching herself for almost two months, I started to think, if she is wise enough to read three books without support, why not elevate her to a more challenging, supportiv environment?In January 2025, I withdrew my daughter from this school and enrolled her in Cherry Creek Elevation. She is smiling again. Her anxiety and depression from experiencing HCMS is starting to wane. She will go on at least two field trips before the end of the school year. She has joined Yearbook and Leadership with an amazing teacher at Cherry Creek Elevation. All that I regret is not starting her there at the beginning of 8th grade. I wish I would have moved her sooner. Rise from the ashes, Phoenix. You are worthy of love, inclusion, and respect. I am so sorry I ever sent you there.

Very negative. My child is constantly bullied. Been to the school many times nothing seems too get better. They do not put their students concerns first.