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Traverse Academy

Aurora, Colorado
A New Model for Student Mental Health

Traverse Academy, opened in October 2023, is the first district-owned therapeutic day treatment school in the country. Located in Cherry Creek School District, it serves students in grades 4 through 12 experiencing acute mental health crises. The school combines rigorous academic programming with comprehensive mental health care, providing a safe, supportive, and fully customized environment at no cost to students or families. Traverse Academy’s mission is to help students build the skills they need to return successfully to their home school communities while addressing urgent mental health needs.

Size

26,000 SF

Scope

  • New Construction

Achievements

  • A4LE Kelley Tanner Innovation Award: Most Valuable Player (2024)
  • A4LE Rocky Mountain Chapter Peak Merit Award (2023)
  • A4LE Rocky Mountain Chapter Educator’s Choice Award (2023)
  • AIA National Project Presentation (2023)
  • Colorado Association of General Contractor ACE Awards - Silver Award: Best Building Project $10M to $40M (2023)

     

Classroom with modular tables and chairs, wood‑slat ceiling feature with circular lights, shelving niche with blue panels, and large windows.
Sensory room with soft seating, acoustic wall panels, dim purple accent lighting, a beanbag pad on the floor, and a window providing natural light.

“When we set out to build Traverse Academy—the first school district–run therapeutic treatment center of its kind in the nation—I knew it had to be something extraordinary. We interviewed several firms, including one I had successfully worked with before, but MOA ARCHITECTURE stood out immediately. They came fully prepared, bringing experts from both education and mental health, and they truly listened to my vision instead of telling me what couldn’t be done. The result is a stunning, functional, and innovative facility that not only exceeded my expectations but has already saved more than 150 students’ lives. MOA didn’t just design a building—they helped bring a dream to life and created a place of hope for kids and families who had nowhere else to turn.”

Tony Poole
Assistant Superintendent
Cherry Creek School District
A School Born From Urgent Need

In 2019, Cherry Creek Schools faced an unprecedented tragedy: seven student suicides in a single semester. Despite investing in full-time mental health professionals, the district realized that traditional resources were not enough. Day treatment programs—critical bridges between inpatient care and traditional school—had sharply declined in Colorado, leaving students without appropriate support. Traverse Academy was born out of the need for a new approach, one that merges a school and mental health clinic into a single, supportive environment. Every aspect of the design prioritizes student well-being, from home base classrooms with soft lighting and flexible seating to outdoor spaces for recreation and reflection. Safety features are integrated seamlessly so that the facility feels welcoming rather than institutional.

Café‑style entrance with a central counter, wood‑slat ceiling, stone feature wall with the Traverse Academy sign, lounge seating, and a glass‑railed staircase.
Group therapy room with blue and gray lounge seating arranged in a circle, acoustic wall panels, large windows, and patterned carpet flooring.
The Power of a School Built Around Support

In its first year, Traverse Academy supported roughly 50 students facing challenges including depression, anxiety, suicidality, and schizophrenia. Every student completed the program, and follow-up with families confirmed measurable progress and deep gratitude. The school offers a step down program that can provide up to nine hours of therapy weekly, academic instruction, recreational and creative opportunities, and individualized support from educators and licensed clinicians. Recognized nationally as a model for school-based mental health care, Traverse Academy has already influenced other districts and earned the A4LE Kelley Tanner Innovation Award. Beyond survival, the school helps students regain confidence, develop resilience, and build a path forward.

Learn More

Classroom space with high tables and stools, modular desks, wood‑slat ceiling feature with circular lights, large windows, and a wall‑mounted display.
Open office area with a wood‑front reception desk, lounge chairs, interior glass offices, and wood‑look flooring leading to an adjacent corridor.
Two‑story school building with brick and metal‑panel cladding, large windows, an exterior stair and ramp, and a landscaped lawn under a clear sky.
Classroom with modular tables and chairs, wood‑slat ceiling feature with circular lights, shelving niches, whiteboard, and large windows.
Corridor with curved blue and yellow accent walls, wood‑look flooring, exposed ceiling structure, and doorways leading to adjacent rooms.
Exterior view of a two‑story school building with brick and metal‑panel cladding, large windows, and tiered concrete seating steps along a landscaped lawn.
Lobby with a stone feature wall displaying the Traverse Academy sign, lounge seating area, wood‑slat ceiling accents, and large glass doors leading to the entry.
Open commons area with tables and chairs, patterned lounge seating under a stairway, exposed ductwork, wood‑look flooring, and orange accent walls leading to adjacent rooms.
Small therapy room with lounge chairs, a sofa, floor lamps, and acoustic wall panels in a calming purple and gray color palette.
Group therapy room with blue and gray lounge seating arranged in a circle, acoustic wall panels, large windows, and patterned carpet flooring.
Gymnasium with a basketball hoop, padded wall panels, climbing wall with colored holds, painted sports line markings, and wall murals above the padding.
Café-style lobby with wood‑slat ceiling, lounge seating, a small counter with barstools, glass interior offices, and an open stairway beside the entry doors.
Classroom with high tables and stools, wood‑look flooring, colorful accent walls, cabinetry with sinks, and a ceiling of hexagonal acoustic panels with integrated lighting.
Outdoor courtyard with concrete walkways, seating under a metal pergola, landscaped planting beds, and a two‑story building with brick and metal‑panel cladding.
Classroom with modular tables and chairs, wood‑slat ceiling feature with circular lights, shelving niche, and large windows providing natural light.
Lobby with a stone feature wall displaying the Traverse Academy sign, lounge seating, wood‑look flooring, open stairway with glass railing, and large glass entry doors.
Outdoor courtyard with metal pergola, patio seating, landscaped plantings, and a two‑story school building with brick and metal‑panel cladding.
Therapy lounge with purple and gray seating, round overhead light fixture, acoustic wall panels, large windows, and patterned carpet flooring.
Mother’s room with a lounge chair, small side table, countertop with sink, wood cabinets, and soft lighting.
Aerial view of Traverse Academy showing a two‑story building with brick and metal‑panel cladding, main entrance canopy, parking lot, landscaped areas, and surrounding trees.
Café‑style entrance with a central counter, wood‑slat ceiling, stone feature wall with the Traverse Academy sign, lounge seating, and a glass‑railed staircase.
Conference room with a wood meeting table, task chairs, wood accent wall with mounted display, and glass interior windows with frosted lower panels.
Entry lobby with wood‑accent seating alcove, brick feature wall with the Traverse Academy sign, open stairway, and large glass entry doors.
Classroom with modular tables and chairs, wood‑slat ceiling feature with circular lights, shelving niche with blue panels, and large windows.
Exterior view of Traverse Academy featuring a sloped roof canopy, large glass entry storefront, stone and metal‑panel façade, and landscaped areas with concrete benches and plantings.
Sensory room with soft seating, acoustic wall panels, dim purple accent lighting, a beanbag pad on the floor, and a window providing natural light.
Upper‑level corridor with wood‑slat ceiling, frosted glass railing overlooking the lobby, wood‑look flooring, and interior windows along the opposite wall.
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COLORADO OFFICE
414 14th St. Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202
(303) 308-1190

 

WYOMING OFFICE
259 South Center St. Suite 206
Casper, WY 82601
(307) 268-9890

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