Campus Improvements: MAS Charter School Prepares for the 2025-2026 School Year

As the countdown continues to the first day of the new school year, Mission Achievement and Success (MAS) Charter School is focusing on many tasks, including “hardhat” work. 

Well before classrooms open to new and returning students on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, construction crews and project managers have been busy completing both public-facing and behind-the-scenes improvements at MAS Charter School’s Yale and Old Coors campuses. All of this work is designed to ensure students and staff return to spaces that are safer, more functional, and more welcoming than ever.

From sewer lines and security fencing to fresh paint, kitchen upgrades, and improved student drop-off areas, the scope of this summer’s work reflects a deliberate investment in the future of the school’s students and their learning environments.

Yale Campus: Focused on Safety, Function, and a Welcoming Appearance

At the Yale campus, one of the most visible changes underway is a refresh to the exterior of the building located at the corner of Yale Boulevard and Rose Avenue. Crews have removed multiple unused doors and outdated storefront-style windows, replacing them with a continuous wall that better fits the building’s current use. The entire main building has been repainted, presenting a facelift that will greet students with a cleaner, more cohesive look when they return to campus in August.

Next is the installation of a seven-foot security fence around the west parking lot located between Anderson and Ross Avenues, alongside Yale Boulevard. Designed with both safety and aesthetics in mind, the fence will include rolling vehicle gates and multiple pedestrian access points, all controlled through key fobs or other access systems. 

This addition is scheduled to be completed in phases, with most of the Ross Avenue concrete block wall installation finished by the time school begins. The remaining sections of the wall, along with the gates on Yale Blvd. and final stuccoing, will remain under construction through the end of August. MAS is working closely with the contractor to minimize any disruption to school traffic as the project wraps up in late August or early September.

Another project underway is the resurfacing and drainage upgrade of the alley east of the Yale campus gym (accessible via Ross Avenue), which is a route that is heavily used during student drop-off and pick-up. There, the bumpy gravel road is being paved with asphalt and outfitted with concrete transitions and new storm drainage connections. By eliminating long-standing potholes, improving water management, and easing the daily flow of drop off and pickup traffic, this project will make one of the school’s busiest access points safer, smoother, and more efficient for families.

Also at the Yale campus, a new sewer line is nearing completion outside the school building, replacing a problematic, inverted line that ran through the middle of the school. While it won’t be visible to students and families, this work represents a major health and safety improvement and is expected to be completed before students return.

“Everything we’re focused on this summer is about longevity, safety, and pride,” said MAS Founder & CEO JoAnn Mitchell, who is supporting the team of facilities and engineering professionals overseeing the construction. “While some of these projects may seem like behind-the-scenes work, but they’re foundational to the experience our students and families have every day.”

Old Coors Campus: Growing with Students, Meeting New Needs

At the Old Coors campus, the upgrades are equally ambitious. What was once a cluster of portable classrooms is now being consolidated into the main building, where four new classrooms are being created by reconfiguring administrative offices and storage areas. With only one portable remaining, this move marks a major shift that reflects the school’s commitment to building centralized, community-minded learning environments.

The school kitchen at Old Coors is also undergoing a major transformation in response to recent state legislation that says schools must begin offering high-quality, healthy meals… a mandate MAS is embracing wholeheartedly.

The remodel includes the installation of two 30-gallon tilt skillets, new ductwork, a fire suppression system, and enhanced plumbing. These upgrades will allow kitchen staff to serve freshly prepared meals — school meals that are scratched cooked — that go well beyond reheated staples. Students can expect more home-style options and a greater variety in what’s served.

Why Excellent Facilities Matter in Education

While construction zones and fresh paint may not grab headlines, these and other facilities-related projects reflect MAS Charter School’s commitment to creating spaces where every detail is aligned with student success. The improvements signal a proactive approach to facilities; one that prioritizes safety, equity, and student wellness as core components of the educational experience.

From smoother student drop-offs to safer buildings, and from modern learning spaces to hot meals prepared on campus, every detail is being addressed with the same mindset that defines MAS’s academics: excellence without exception.