Naming of Schools

1874-Bates School-the first classes were actually conducted in this, the Bates farmhouse, located on what is now the Circle Drive Mobile Home Park. One teacher, 14 pupils; classes started in October and continued for four months. Bates dairy farm later became part of Sinton Dairy.

1891-Harrison School-this two room facility was built on the Lewis Dairy Farm, where the Broadmoor World Arena stands. It was named Harrison School and District for U.S. President Benjamin Harrison. 30 pupils through 8th grade only; 4 grades in each room. Teacher's salary at Harrison School in 1893 was $50 per month.

1916- 13 people in Harrison District went to the polls and cast an unanimous vote for a new, larger school building, keeping the name Harrison School, to be built for $10,000 on three acres of land purchased from the Myron Stratton Home for $500. This was the site of Gorman Middle School. The first floor of Harrison School consisted of a library (which also served as the principal' s office), and two classrooms. The base­ment contained one classroom, a boiler room and an apartment for the custodian and his family, more than enough room for eight grades until 1951. Even as late as 1952, this school consisted of two teachers and 88 students.

1952-Gorman Middle School-4 rooms were added to Harrison School; renamed Harrison Junior/ Senior High School in 1956; later named Gorman Middle School after Norton Gorman, Superintendent of Schools from 1953 to 1965.

1954-Stratton Meadows, our first elementary school in the district was , 10 rooms, built in "the meadows" in. The PTO started as the Home Demonstration Club, one time boasting of 756 members including Mrs. Sinton.

1956 Stats- 12 grades offered in Harrison School District 2, 1,185 students, 46 teachers.

1957-Chamberlin Elementary-built on land donated or sold cheaply by the Myron Stratton Home; Mrs. "Chamberlin" was a direct descendant of Myron Stratton and instrumental in the development of the school.

1963-Stratmoor Hills Elementary-located in "the hills."

1964-Pikes Peak Elementary-located in Pikes Peak Park. Teacher's salary in Harrison School District 2 in 1965 was $2,800 per year.

1965-Finance Center built.

1966-Harrison High School-named for the district and the president.

1969-Monterey Elementary-built when Pikes Peak Elementary student population became too large. Because the school was built on Monterey Road, one student wrote a composition identifying the school with the Spanish term, "monterey," meaning "King of the Mountains."

1970-Carmel Middle School-built on Carmel Drive.

1972-Centennial Elementary-built in the Centennial Year.

1973-Panorama Middle School-"panoramic view of the mountains.

1975-Giberson Elementary-named for Donald Giberson, respected school board member and president from 1953 to 1971; previously president of the Stratton Meadows Home Demonstration Club.

1980-Bricker Elementary-named for Wayne Bricker, highly respected district superintendent from 1965 to 1978.

1981 Stats- 7,109 student, 381 teachers.

1981-Don Shiverdecker Support Services Building-named for the Director of Support Services, 1971 to 1991.

1983-Oak Creek Elementary and Wildflower Elementary-both named by parents and patrons.

1984-Sierra High School-named by parents and patrons. Addition/Renovation in 1996.

1987-Otero Elementary-named for Adelina Otero, a pioneer community, political and educational activist in the early 1900's.

1987-Turman Elementary-named for Robert Turman, president/member of the Harrison Board of Education, 1979 to 1989; taught at Carmel Middle School; former District 11 administrator.

1994-Shirley Williams Special Education Center-building purchased by the district and named for a well respected district nurse and child advocate, especially in Special Education.

1994-The New Horizons School-the district's alternative high school located at what is now BOCES, named by students; represents unlimited potential for graduates.

1996-District Transportation and Math/Science Center-facility purchased by the district.

1996-Sand Creek Elementary-located next to Sand Creek. Renamed in 2020 to Sand Creek International School as it becomes a K-8 and International Baccalaureate school.

1996 Stats- Harrison School District has over 11,000 students, 700 teachers, nearly 1,400 total staff members. The original portion of the district administration office was constructed in 1951 and was still in use.

2003-Soaring Eagles Elementary-built near Soaring Eagles Park. Renamed in 2022 to Soaring Eagles Community School and becomes a K-8.

2004-Fox Meadow Middle School-named for the abundance of foxes seen in the area.

2005-Mountain Vista Community School K‐8 named for the view of the mountains. 

2013-New D2 Administration Building replaces former building.

2021-Former Pikes Peak Elementary is repurposed as Pikes Peak United Way Family Success Center and houses our D2 Adult Education Program.

2024-Former Stratmoor Hills Elementary renamed the Dr. Pamela Robinson Education Center. Home to the Career Readiness Academy and Aspire Online Academy.