The town of Erie, incorporated in 1874, has its roots in agriculture and coal mining. In the early 1870’s, a line from Brighton to Erie was added to the Union Pacific line (Denver to Cheyenne) to haul Erie’s generous coal supplies to Brighton to fuel the railroad’s massive steam engines. The town of Erie was named by its founder, Reverend Richard Van Valkenburg, a Methodist preacher who connected widespread local citizens through gospel. Born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, Reverend Valkenburg honored his native city with the naming of Erie, Colorado. Reverend Valkenburg went on to serve as mayor, postmaster, police judge and more for the burgeoning coal mining town. By the mid-1870’s, Erie began to see growth.  A community emerged with a town hall, jail, large school, churches and doctors offices. Erie’s history as a coal mining town includes several worker strikes and tragic mining accidents. Tributes and memorials to Erie’s miners can be found around the town today.

In the 1940’s, demand for coal slowed and Erie’s coal production dwindled by the 1960s. Around the turn of the century, Erie experienced incredible growth and has boomed into a substantial suburban community, tucked between Boulder, Longmont and Denver.

Erie Elementary School

Erie Elementary School provides a nurturing community for all students as well as a comprehensive academic program to encourage success. Erie Elementary is unique for its Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) focus. Students explore subjects through experimentation and problem solving.
 

http://ees.stvrain.k12.co.us/

Black Rock Elementary School

Erie’s Black Rock Elementary School fosters a caring school culture that encourages collaboration, innovation, academic excellence and a global community. Students receive weekly Spanish instruction and have the opportunity to learn Mandarin Chinese. A Gifted and Talented program is also available. 

http://bres.stvrain.k12.co.us/index.html

Red Hawk Elementary

Red Hawk Elementary is dedicated to rigorous instruction in math, science and technology with an emphasis on integrating the arts into all areas of curriculum. They focus on developing a sense of environmental responsibility that includes personal development and physical well-being.

http://rhes.stvrain.k12.co.us/index.html

Erie Middle School

A leading Colorado Middle School, Erie Middle School supports student well being while holding students to high standards. Erie Middle’s Pre-Advanced Placement courses in core areas prepares students for high school honors classes and beyond. Erie Middle School offers a variety of extra-curricular activities including sports, Chess Club, Art Club, Brain Bowl, band, choir and more.

http://ems.stvrain.k12.co.us/index.html

Erie High School

With a new state-of-the-art building that opened in 2005, Erie High School educates the community’s youth in a caring environment that encourages success and individuality. Erie High School offers a traditional curriculum as well as Advanced Placement courses, Multimedia Design classes and concurrent enrollment at Front Range Community College. Additional activities include student council, theatre, choir, band, and National Honor Society. The Career Development Center allows students to take practical courses in Business, Engineering, Horticulture and more.

http://ehs.stvrain.k12.co.us/