Milliken Intermediate Conversion
I am so excited to welcome MIS into the Weld RE-5J family. I'm thrilled to see these students thrive and grow.
-Amanda Proctor, Weld RE-5J Board of Education Treasurer and District C Representative
Funding
Conversion (General Fund Capital Projects)
Project Total: $1,400,000
*Milliken Intermediate School conversion enhancements are still in progress.
Partners
Owner's Rep and Project Lead: Accenture
Milliken Intermediate School Conversion
The former Milliken Middle School has been reimagined to meet the evolving needs of our community. The conversion and renovations ensure the possibility of the school to serve as a K–5 elementary school. However, to reopen the school in 2025-2026, the building is a dedicated intermediate campus for grades 3–5.
This renovation brought significant improvements, including:
Community Integration: The north side of the building now houses the Milliken section of the Glenn A. Jones MD Memorial Library.
Student Experience Enhancements: A new playground, Smart Lab, keyboard lab, and rock band space complement two music rooms for creative learning.
Safety and Security: Installation of a new security vestibule, cameras, fire door for the cafeteria, and security fencing.
Modernized Facilities: New paint, carpets, signage, site furniture, and doors in key areas.
Operational Upgrades: On-site freezer and fridge with dry storage, district storage space, and a new steamer table for food service.
Accessibility and Aesthetics: A new front walk-up, concrete improvements, and a new flagpole.
Compliance and Comfort: Updated bathrooms meet code requirements and expanded custodial staff openings.
Specials Support: New equipment and supplies for specials and encore classes.
This transformation reflects our commitment to creating safe, innovative, and inspiring spaces for students and the community.
Celebrating Learning: SmartLab Ribbon Cutting
“Here our students will have that chance to code, design, and dream to see that science, technology, engineering, and math are not just subjects in schools but are keys to understanding and shaping the world around them.” -Nate Sassano, Weld RE-5J Board of Education Vice President
“This is a space where you can ask questions, wonder together, and imagine new solutions. The opportunities you have here to plan, to create, to communicate, will help prepare you to thrive and compete in an ever changing world.” -Scott Nielsen, Superintendent of Schools
Thank you to our partners, SmartLab Learning and Weld Trust, for helping make this happen and investing in our students’ learning!
Ribbon Cutting!
On October 28, 2025, the Weld RE-5J community gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony at Milliken Intermediate School.
A Special Start to Every Day
At Milliken Intermediate School, mornings begin in a space that alumni hold dear—the gym inside the main entrance. Every student and staff member gathers here for all-school announcements, leadership shout-outs, and inspiring messages from community members and former students.
Students can arrive a little early to play and laugh together in the gym before announcements, reinforcing the importance of movement and joy before focusing on learning. This daily tradition sets a positive tone and reminds everyone what it means to be Knights—learning and leading together.
Music Like Never Before
Milliken Intermediate School is hitting all the right notes! Our renovated campus now features two dedicated music classrooms—one equipped with keyboards and the other with rock band instruments. This is something you rarely see in an elementary setting, and students from other schools are already talking about it!
It’s like free piano lessons for every child, and a fantastic way to extend Weld RE-5J’s strong music tradition to start early in elementary. These spaces give students the chance to explore, create, and fall in love with music in ways that will inspire them for years to come.
A New Chapter for Milliken
To better serve our growing community, the conversion of MMS to MIS gave students in grades 3–5 a beautifully renovated space to learn and thrive. This change also opened the door for Milliken Elementary School to expand early childhood education—from two to five PreK classrooms, including two full-day programs, a first for Weld RE-5J!
Now, our youngest learners in PreK–2 have a safe, nurturing environment focused on their unique needs, while older students enjoy a modern, engaging campus designed just for them. This thoughtful reconfiguration ensures every child has the space and support to succeed.
