Arrupe Jesuit High School Expansion Opens Doors: Phase 1 Delivers Transformative Spaces for First-Generation Students, Phase 2 Builds on the Momentum

Phase 1 of Arrupe Jesuit’s new addition empowers first-generation college students to learn, grow, and thrive, while Phase 2 renovations set the stage for continued impact.

Since 2001, Arrupe Jesuit High School has always been a place where talent meets opportunity. For these students in north Denver, ambition often outpaces the resources available at home. Ninety-five percent of Arrupe students are the first in their families to attend college, and for these young people, the school represents more than academics. It is a bridge to new possibilities, a community where their potential is recognized and cultivated, and a space that supports them as they navigate challenges unfamiliar to their families.

As the school’s enrollment grew and program needs evolved, leadership realized the campus itself needed to reflect this mission. They did not just want to add classrooms. They needed spaces that would nurture curiosity, foster collaboration, and support students in discovering their strengths both academically and personally. Every corner of the design needed purpose. Every wall needed to reflect the belief that opportunity can transform lives.

The team at MOA ARCHITECTURE immersed themselves in the school’s culture. They talked with faculty about how students move through the building, watched classrooms in action, and listened to staff describe how communal spaces could reinforce mentorship and professional development. Just as important, they learned how deeply certain spaces were woven into the life of the school and the surrounding neighborhood. Every insight became part of the blueprint, ensuring the building would be a partner in education, not just a backdrop.

For decades, the original Arrupe gym has been an iconic neighborhood gathering place, deeply ingrained in the history and identity of the surrounding community. It has long served not only Arrupe students, but also neighbors and local organizations, standing as a symbol of connection, pride, and shared experience. From the beginning, the new gym was envisioned as a continuation of that legacy, designed to honor its history while carrying forward the strong presence and community spirit that have defined Arrupe’s campus since its earliest days.

Phase 1 of the expansion introduced a brand new gym, classrooms, a modern entrance, a vibrant student hub, and updated labs. The gym itself was a logistical marvel, perched on the second floor of the addition. With a landlocked site, a 1950s existing building full of unique challenges, and strict City of Denver energy code requirements, locating a gym above ground required careful engineering and creative problem-solving. Yet the result is a space that pulses with energy, where students gather, compete, and build community. Classrooms and labs provide the tools they need to succeed academically, while the student hub offers a flexible, energizing environment for study, socializing, and collaboration.

When Phase 1 opened on the first day of the spring semester, the school celebrated with an Opening Day assembly that brought together students, staff, and the community. Ken Salazar, former U.S. Senator and Secretary of the Interior, reminded students that their voices matter. Amanda Sandoval, Denver City Council President, told them that their education matters. Together, their words reinforced what the new building was already showing: that Arrupe exists to give students the foundation to reach their full potential.

“The design is fully aligned with our vision for the new expansion,” said Mark Anderson, Operations and Maintenance Director. “It has seemed to breathe new life and excitement into our school and community. I have really enjoyed watching the kids as they start to explore and use the new building.”

It did not take long for students to make themselves at home. The student lounge quickly became a hub of energy. Teenagers spread out with laptops, worked on homework in groups, or simply hung out, laughing and talking. “The students have been so excited to use the lounge space,” Anderson said. “It has been something special to watch them hang out, collaborate, do homework, and just be teenagers.” The gym, with its sweeping windows and open layout, serves as both a physical and social anchor, embodying the school’s philosophy that students thrive when they feel supported, connected, and free to explore.

Classrooms are equally thoughtful. Flexible layouts, natural light, and human-scaled spaces allow teachers to shift between lectures, small-group discussions, and project-based learning. Materials and finishes were selected to feel warm, inviting, and purposeful, subtly reinforcing the message that students belong in spaces designed for their success.

Collaboration between Arrupe and MOA was essential. During the development phase, the design team often took fragments of ideas from staff and turned them into fully realized solutions. “Our team was able to take sometimes incomplete thoughts and ideas from us and somehow flesh them out into something that made sense,” Anderson recalled. Communication remained constant, clear, and productive throughout the process. “The communication between Arrupe and the entire design team has been fantastic through all phases of the process,” he added.

Submitting the plans for permitting was a particularly exciting moment for Anderson. “I was really excited when we submitted for permitting. This meant to me that all of our vision was on the path to reality,” he said. Throughout, MOA guided the school through complex challenges, from city council meetings for rezoning approval to HOA presentations, always balancing design goals with operational needs.

With Phase 1 complete, attention has turned to Phase 2, the renovation of the existing building. The work will infill the old gym with a mezzanine, add classrooms on the second floor, convert the first floor into new administrative spaces, and completely reconfigure the basement for updated learning environments. The original 1950s building adds both character and complexity, requiring careful planning to maintain student safety and school operations while construction is underway. When finished in fall 2026, the campus will be a cohesive, student-centered environment where these high school students can thrive academically, socially, and professionally.

Arrupe Jesuit High School is a space intentionally designed to nurture potential, cultivate confidence, and support students as they chart new paths for themselves and their families. Every hallway, lab, and common area communicates belief, pride, and possibility. Phase 1 has already reshaped the daily experience of students and staff, and Phase 2 promises to ensure that Arrupe remains a place where students can step confidently into the futures they are building.

Through thoughtful architecture, intentional design, and a deep understanding of mission, MOA ARCHITECTURE has created more than a building. They have designed opportunity.