Academy of Arts & Knowledge (AAK)

Project Overview

Scope of Work: renovation of second floor to include: 12 new classrooms, renovated student support service areas, renovated restrooms, and the addition of a commercial kitchen on the first floor

Blueprint is partnering with the Academy of Arts & Knowledge (AAK), a long-standing PK–5 charter school serving the communities within Fort Collins, Colorado, to secure and enhance its permanent facility and support the school’s continued growth. Founded nearly two decades ago, AAK has built a strong academic reputation and demonstrated success in closing achievement gaps for students of color—outperforming nearby district schools—while remaining deeply rooted in its community.

AAK currently serves approximately 240 students on the first floor of a two-story, 50,000-square-foot building at 4800 Wheaton Drive. With enrollment demand exceeding available space, Blueprint worked with AAK and Equitable Facilities Fund (EFF) to acquire the entire building, enabling the school to expand onto the second floor to accommodate a target enrollment of up to 445 students and create more than 200 additional seats over time.

The existing facility is fully entitled for educational use and already holds the appropriate certificate of occupancy, allowing the project to focus on targeted, non-structural improvements rather than major reconstruction. Planned work includes build-out of additional classroom space on the second floor, along with modest adjustments to building systems as needed to support expanded use. These improvements are designed to meet AAK’s current growth needs while allowing students to begin using portions of the second floor as early as the upcoming school year.

Throughout this project, Blueprint is providing comprehensive project management services. By securing long-term facility control and minimizing disruption during construction, Blueprint’s and AAK’s partnership allows school leadership to remain focused on what matters most: delivering a high-quality, arts-integrated education to Fort Collins students and families.