Blueprint
  • WHO WE ARE
    • Our Approach
    • Our History
    • Commitment to Equity
    • Board of Directors
    • Team
    • Contact Us
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Our Services
    • Our Projects
    • Our Impact
    • Our Blog
    • Our Financing Options
  • WORK WITH US
    • School Partners
    • Philanthropic Partners
    • Internship Program
    • Careers
  • WHERE WE ARE
    • California
    • Washington
    • Texas
    • Colorado
Blueprint
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Blueprint

Blueprint

Expanding educational opportunities for students in under-resourced communities

  • WHO WE ARE
    • Our Approach
    • Our History
    • Commitment to Equity
    • Board of Directors
    • Team
    • Contact Us
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Our Services
    • Our Projects
    • Our Impact
    • Our Blog
    • Our Financing Options
  • WORK WITH US
    • School Partners
    • Philanthropic Partners
    • Internship Program
    • Careers
  • WHERE WE ARE
    • California
    • Washington
    • Texas
    • Colorado

PCSD

March News: Colorado Milestones to National Momentum

March 30, 2026 by PCSD

Filed Under: Newsletter

One Year in Colorado: Expanding Access to Permanent School Facilities

March 27, 2026 by PCSD

One year after launching its work in Colorado, Blueprint is already helping charter schools move from planning to construction, laying the groundwork for permanent learning spaces that will serve more than 1,500 students across the state.

Blueprint entered Colorado in January 2025 to address a persistent challenge in the charter sector: securing high-quality, financially sustainable facilities that support long-term growth. Across the state, many schools still rely on temporary or leased spaces while navigating rising real estate and construction costs, making access to permanent facilities a defining factor in whether they can grow.

In its first year, Blueprint has partnered with four public charter schools to help move long-term solutions forward, each shaped by its community’s needs.

Supporting Schools Across Colorado

In Aurora, Lotus School for Excellence is constructing a new 31,000-square-foot building designed to improve campus safety, strengthen circulation, and expand capacity for students and families.

In Fort Collins, Academy for Arts and Knowledge is renovating its second floor to add 12 new classrooms, along with a commercial kitchen to better support students throughout the school day.

In Colorado Springs, Colorado International Language Academy is transforming a 38,000-square-foot commercial office building into a school through a full interior renovation, paired with reimagined outdoor space for play and recreation.

In Fairplay, High Rockies Community School (working in partnership with Mountain Area Land Trust) is renovating an existing barn into a multi-use Education Center that will serve both students and the broader community. 

Meeting a Growing Need

These projects reflect a broader reality: facilities remain one of the most significant barriers to charter school growth. Even as demand for high-quality public school options continues to rise, many schools lack access to permanent spaces that support stability, long-term planning, and strong student outcomes.

Blueprint’s work in Colorado is grounded in a simple idea: facilities shouldn’t limit a school’s ability to serve families. By working closely with school leaders and community partners, Blueprint helps align real estate solutions with each school’s model, enrollment, and long-term plans.

Building with Partners

This first year of work has been made possible through collaboration with school leaders, philanthropy, and local partners. Blueprint’s efforts in Colorado have been supported by the Gates Family Foundation, The Anschutz Foundation, and Colorado Schools Fund.

Looking Ahead

One year in, the need—and the opportunity—remain significant. With enrollment growing in many communities, access to permanent facilities will continue to shape how schools expand.

Blueprint’s first year offers an early look at what’s possible when long-term thinking and strong partnerships come together. By helping schools move beyond temporary spaces and into permanent homes, this work is creating more stability for schools and better outcomes for students across Colorado.

 

Filed Under: Blog, Colorado

John Sun on the Charter Connect Podcast

March 25, 2026 by PCSD

President and CEO John Sun joined the Charter Connect podcast to talk about the challenges and opportunities in charter school facilities. John’s thoughtful expertise and vision for facilities is well worth listening to:

📺 http://youtube.com/watch?v=g518XRUYr-Y

🎧 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/81-blueprint-john-sun/id1648141735?i=1000757120792

🎧 https://open.spotify.com/episode/1yYO4vopxl4RoPGqQMKuji

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: podcast

The Importance of Investments

March 18, 2026 by PCSD

Who did you meet with today?

We met with Crystal Langdon.

Where do they work? What does the company do?

Crystal Langdon is the Director of Investments at Blueprint, holding many responsibilities in this position. Crystal evaluates if school construction projects are affordable and financially possible. Her role also includes managing a team that finds funding for building schools. The role also oversees investments in school construction projects and monitors them over time to make sure borrowers or tenants follow the agreement, and the project stays financially stable.

What did you learn today? What were some highlights?

Today I learned about different loan types and how interest rates can affect individuals’ decisions on where to get loans from. We learned about how interest rates and loan terms affect the overall cost of a loan, and how to find the best fit that will allow the development of a project.

What insights did you gain into the field of real estate development?

We got insight into the finance and investment side of real estate development. We learned about how important this role is for Blueprint and how this role is important for all organizations since they have to secure funding in order for development projects to even begin.

What did you find the most interesting about the field in the field after today?

After learning about this field, what intrigued me the most was learning about how interesting and important this field is in real estate development, and it has led me to have an interest in pursuing this field.

A presentation slide titled Intro to Finance and Credit by Crystal Langdon, Managing Director of Investments at Blueprint, highlighting the importance of investments, with video call participants shown in a row at the top of the screen.
Interns learning about finance and credit from Crystal Langdon.
A pixel art woman sits at a desk with a vintage computer. Text above says she needs $2,000 for a washer and dryer, highlighting the importance of investments as various bills are shown below. The total owed is $47,654.19.
The interns playing Shady Sham to learn about credit and loans.
A screenshot of a virtual meeting with seven participants in individual video boxes, some with blueprint virtual backgrounds, others in dimly lit rooms, all engaged in a discussion on the importance of investments and their benefits.
The interns learning from Crystal.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: finance, internships

Architecture Learning Experience

March 12, 2026 by PCSD

Who did you meet with today?

Cyrus Amani-Taleshi

Where do they work? What does the company do?

Cyrus works at LCA, and his company designs buildings; they also oversees the approval process for both large and small projects.

What did you learn today? What were some highlights?

We learn that being an architect is pretty cool and fun if you like to design, but it can also be frustrating sometimes.

What insights did you gain into the field of real estate development?

I learned that real estate development involves planning, teamwork, and understanding laws and finances. I also learned that projects take a lot of patience and problem solving.

What did you find the most interesting about the field in the field after today?

I learn that when architects are designing a building it takes a lot of patience and it can be difficult sometimes.

Three people stand in a colorful room, exploring a display case filled with small human figurines and models—a unique architecture education setting with green and yellow walls and birdhouse-like objects atop the case.
Interns stand in a room at LIghthouse.
Three young people stand and talk by glass doors in a brightly lit indoor space, suggesting a dynamic learning experience. Two wear hoodies, one black and one pink; the third, dressed all in black, looks toward the door. Part of a fourth person is visible on the right.
Interns view a space at Lighthouse.
Five people stand in a line indoors against a yellow and green wall, reflecting a unique experience of learning within vibrant architecture. Four face forward, while one person on the far right stands apart. Sunlight streams in onto the carpeted floor.
Blueprint team and Interns in hallway at Lighthouse.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: architecture, internships

Buying and Selling with Colliers

March 2, 2026 by PCSD

Who did you meet with today?

Today we met with the Colliers team

Where do they work? What does the company do?

Colliers works in Harrison Street and are commercial real estate brokers. Colliers help clients in buying, selling and leasing properties. They advise business clients on investments and developing opportunities

What did you learn today? What were some highlights?

I learned how brokers build strong relationships with clients to be able to negotiate deals soothingly. I also learned how their backgrounds and their skills that they learned contribute to their fields.

What insights did you gain into the field of real estate development?

I learned that brokers play a crucial role in development by connecting investors with properties. They need strong communication skills and the ability to take and manage risks.

What did you find the most interesting about the field after today?

What I found most interesting is how brokers use negotiation strategies to make deals go smoothing and how much trusts clients put in them.

Photos: Jose Burgos Arroyo

Five people sit around a conference table with papers and drinks, watching a man speak on a large video screen during the Day 2 Blog meeting. A cityscape is visible through the window behind them.
Colliers team talking about their careers.
A person with a backpack crouches on the floor of an unfinished, empty room, taking a close-up photo of an open booklet or magazine—perhaps researching buying tips from Colliers before making a decision.
Blueprint intern measuring the space

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: internships, real estate brokers

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Page 27
  • Go to Next Page »

Copyright © 2026 · PCSD 2022 on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Blueprint

Blueprint's mission is to dismantle systemic inequality in education by expanding educational opportunities for students in under-resourced communities.

Contact Us

info@blueprintfutures.org
(213) 542-4700 (office)
(213) 542-4701 (fax)

Quick Links

Who We Are
Work With Us
What We Do

Our Projects
Contact Us

Newsletter

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Regions

Southern California (Main Office)
915 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 700
Los Angeles, CA 90017

Northern California
66 Franklin St, Ste 300
Oakland, CA 94607

Washington
1201 2nd Ave, Ste 900
Seattle, WA 98101

Texas
2700 Post Oak Blvd, Ste 2100
Houston, TX 77056

Colorado
4600 South Syracuse St, Ste 900
Denver, CO 80237

© Copyright 2026 Blueprint. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy

Blueprint
  • WHO WE ARE
    • Our Approach
    • Our History
    • Commitment to Equity
    • Board of Directors
    • Team
    • Contact Us
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Our Services
    • Our Projects
    • Our Impact
    • Our Blog
    • Our Financing Options
  • WORK WITH US
    • School Partners
    • Philanthropic Partners
    • Internship Program
    • Careers
  • WHERE WE ARE
    • California
    • Washington
    • Texas
    • Colorado
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.