Hands-On Learning Meets Community Impact as CCIC Students Build Modular Home for Habitat for Humanity

Cherry Creek Innovation Campus (CCIC) Construction II students have reached an incredible milestone, completing their first full modular home in partnership with the Berthoud Habitat for Humanity. The project represents a powerful blend of hands-on learning, community impact, and career-ready skill development.

Construction began in October 2024, and over the course of a year, CCIC students built a 1,200-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom modular home in two halves. Once complete, the home was transported and craned onto a permanent foundation in Berthoud, Colorado.

“This project is the pinnacle of hands-on, purpose-driven learning and exemplifies the excellence we embody here in Cherry Creek Schools,” said Michael Degitis, CCIC Construction Instructor. “This wasn’t a mock-up or classroom exercise, it was a real home, delivered to a family in need. The water will run warm, the lights and heat will come on, and the doors will lock, providing safety and stability. Our students did 100% of the work, from an empty parking lot in October of ’24 to a fully functional 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom house a year later. What an accomplishment to be able to say, ‘I built that.’”

Under the supervision of industry-experienced instructors, students completed every step of the build themselves: from site preparation and framing to electrical, plumbing, ductwork, finishes, cabinetry, and furnishings. The year-long project provided students with an authentic, real-world construction experience while delivering a meaningful contribution to the community.

The CCIC-built home will become the 26th and final home in Habitat’s 4th Street subdivision, marking the conclusion of a 25-year community development effort. With two new neighborhoods already planned for 2026, Berthoud Habitat for Humanity continues to make homeownership possible for families earning 40–80% of the area median income, ensuring that mortgage payments remain affordable.

“We would like to thank the CCIC program for their partnership and all the students who made this possible,” said Laura Collins, Berthoud Habitat for Humanity Community Engagement Director. “The need for affordable housing in Berthoud is vast and urgent—but every nail, every wall raised, puts us one step closer to providing a family with a safe place to sleep at night.”

The project also required continuity between two student cohorts. The home was started by the Construction II class of 2024–25 and completed by the 2025–26 class. A lot of the skills needed for this project are being learned by the students as they are installing the materials for the very first time.

“Students had to come into the project, analyze the layout, and pick up where someone else left off,” Degitis explained. “Many of the skills they learned—like drywalling, tiling, and cabinetry—were new to them. By the time they finished, they weren’t just students anymore; they were skilled tradespeople with confidence and pride in their craft.”

Throughout the project, students overcame a variety of real-world challenges. The modular design required advanced planning and creative problem-solving to ensure the home could be split, transported, and reconnected seamlessly once on-site.

“There was a lot of brainstorming and critical thinking that went into the fact that this project was modular - and therefore needed to be built with moving it in mind,” Degitis said. “That meant wires criss-crossing the two halves, walls disconnected at the seam, etc. There was some great engineering that was done that made this possible. 

From tiny home builds to Habitat for Humanity partnerships, CCIC students experience firsthand how their craftsmanship can create real change.The CCIC modular home project showcases the power of career and technical education, empowering students to learn, lead, and build a better future, one home at a time.

“As with all of our projects in the CCIC Construction program, one hope we have is that students learn to use their hands and skills for the benefit of their community,” Degitis said. “Our students see the positive change that comes when we use our talents to help those around us. They can look back at a pile of lumber on the ground, and know that it can be turned into not just a career for themselves, but someone's dignified housing, warmth, safety, and stability. Our students can now go out into the world with an amazing set of skills and a can-do attitude.”