Shaw Families
A Welcome Message
New Opportunities
Shaw Heights Middle School as you have come to know and love it, will be changing at the end of the 2025-26 academic year. Beginning in the school year of 2026-27, the Shaw Heights students will remain in the same building and will be joined by PK-8 students from the next-door Flynn Academy under one roof with a new school name and identity for both communities. Principal John Uridil is helping Flynn Principal Jimmy Chism prepare for his role as principal of the combined PK-8 STEM and CTE focused campus.
While there will be continued renovation work at the Shaw Heights building, the majority of the construction will happen at the Flynn building meaning all the students and staff from Flynn will move into the Shaw Heights building for the 2026-27 and 2027-28 school years. Detailed plans are being developed to allocate space and resources to accommodate the needs of all students.
New Identity
On December 10, 2025, the Westminster Public Schools Board of Education approved the name Uplands Discovery Campus.
The new name and logo honor the past with a proud Falcon, while paving the way for a bright future as we expand our partnership with the Uplands residential development on the east side of Lowell Boulevard between 84th and 88th Avenue.
Growing Community
The arrival of the younger students in the Shaw Heights building will be an asset to the school, because not only will they bring additional resources into the building, but this will be a unique opportunity for the older students to step into the role of mentors and leaders. For families with multi-age students, it will also make life easier for parents to have all of their children in one building.
More Information
Principals John Uridil and Jimmy Chism hosted a Family Feedback meeting on Thursday, November 13 from 5 - 6:30 pm. On Thursday January 15, they hosted an open house at the Shaw Heights building.
Shaw Heights has a proud history and we want to honor that and share your stories with the WPS community.
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Want to know more?
Find answers to all your questions about this exciting transition!
Talking about change with your child
All students react differently to a change in their routine and what they know.
For many children this will be an exciting transition and a part of growing up. Still, for others, especially younger children, it may produce some questions and anxiety. Our counselors and staff have put together some simple talking points to keep in mind when talking to your children.