By Karrie Meyers — Highlands Ranch, Colorado … Mile High Academy was recently awarded a grant from the AdventHealth Secondary Education fund. These funds were allocated for security enhancements, which were installed at the school during the summer.

Returning students and families will notice the enhanced door security, including the addition of new doors going from the lobby to the lower school hallway. Access control has been added to the new lobby doors, cafeteria doors, gym and storage areas, providing card access that will secure the campus during day-to-day operations and during a lockdown situation. The school has increased the number of cameras, covering the perimeter of the campus in addition to several key areas inside the facility. A new phone system was installed, adding more paging speakers for alerts and announcements and communication from administration, plus the ability to integrate voicemail to email and other call-handling options.

“Safety has always been a priority for Mile High Academy,” said Jocelyn Aalborg, MHA vice principal for Finance and Development. “The administration, teachers, board and the Rocky Mountain Conference are keenly aware our students and families need to feel safe during their time on campus. And we continue to research and implement ways to increase school safety. We are humbled to partner with AdventHealth, and through the grant, we were able to implement many security upgrades for the 2020-2021 school year.”

The most noted change is the BluePoint Rapid Emergency Response systems installed. The system operates like fire pulls and instantly notifies emergency responders and building occupants of an emergency situation, expedites a rapid response, and triggers emergency management protocols. Because of the funds received through the grant, MHA was able to purchase seventeen pull stations, six horn/strobe lights, three mobile pendants and all the necessary software and installation.

In addition to the new security enhancements, MHA will continue to utilize the Raptor Visitor Management System that compares government-issued ID information to a database containing registered sex offenders from all 50 states. The school also has walkie-talkies turned on in each classroom throughout the day and conducts random lockdown/lockout drills so students, teachers and staff are prepared if a situation arises, requiring such measures to take place.

“We are thankful to have the support from organizations such as AdventHealth who understand the importance of providing a campus where students feel loved and safe while continuing their Christian education experience,” Aalborg said.

Karrie Myers is Mile High Academy’s communication assistant; photo supplied