STEM School Highlands Ranch  STEM School Highlands Ranch, formerly known as STEM School and Academy, is a charter school located in Douglas County, Colorado, United States in the Denver suburb of Highlands Ranch. The school building is located in an office park situated next to Central Park, a new retail center. The school serves as a K-12 for just under 2,000 students from across the Denver Metro Area. The school opened as STEM School and Academy to students grades 6-9 in August 2011. It was led by principal David Floodeen. In 2014, the school finished renovations, turning its gym into a two-story high school containing a weight room, art room with kiln, and chemistry lab. This allows for growth into both a middle and a high school. In 2015, the school had its first graduating class, consisting of one student. In 2016, the school begins seeking expansion, resulting in the purchase and remodeling of the conjoining building and addition of a 5th grade. In 2017, grades K-4 were added, officially making the school a K-12. The school was also renamed to STEM School Highlands Ranch. In 2018, anti-suicide programs were implemented to try to lower chances of suicide and school shootings. A shooting incident on May 7, 2019, left one student dead and eight others injured. The shooting was carried out by two students from the school. The campus has three engineering labs, four computer labs, a chemistry lab, a weight room, one small gym, and three parking lots which encase the building on all but the north side of the school facility.