8th Grade PEPAcademic Guidance

Which High School should I choose?

High School OptionsTraditional Schools• Public secondary schools are intended to provide

general knowledge and school programming. • Example: North, South, East, GW, Lincoln, TJ, etc.Innovative/Autonomous Schools• Innovative schools are similar to traditional public

school, but have more control over their positions, schedules, and use of resources.

• Examples: Manual, Bruce Randolph, West Generations, etc.

Application Process: • Students are automatically assigned to a homeschool

and/or they may select one of these schools using the School of Choice enrollment process.

High School OptionsMagnet Schools• Magnet schools have specialized courses or curricula to attract

students from all over the district. RTD bus passes are provided to students who live outside the school’s boundary.

• Examples: DSA, CEC, DCIS, GW IB, Kunsmiller, etc.Multiple/Intensive Pathway Schools• Multiple and Intensive Pathway schools provide intensive

supports for student groups with specific needs. They offer curriculum and supports that are more flexible for students than a traditional public school.

• Examples: Emily Griffith, CLA, Florence Crittenton, PREP, DC-21, Summit, and Vista

Application Process:• Both of these types of schools are usually smaller and may

require additional application steps, in addition to the School of Choice form required by all schools.

High School OptionsCharter Schools• Charter schools are created and organized by teachers,

parents, and community leaders. These schools operate independently of other schools and are allowed to create their own educational programs and policies.

• Examples: DSST, Girls Athletic Leadership School, KIPP, etc.

Application Process:• Like public schools, charter schools must use a lottery

system when the number of applications exceeds their enrollment.

• Charter schools may or may not participate in the School of Choice process. If they do, they may also require an additional application form.

How do I find a school that’s right for me?

• Things to Considero Location: How will you be getting to school on a daily

basis? Who will drive you? Will you take RTD?o Extracurricular activities: Do the extracurricular activities

offered at this school match your interests and hobbies?o School Culture/Environment: What is important to this

school? Are students well behaved? Do students attend class and value their education? Do students and teachers treat one another with respect?

o Educational Quality: It’s important to research the schools’ drop-out rates and school performance (SPF) ratings. These ratings may indicate the quality of education you will receive. In addition, it’s important to research whether the school offers classes or programs that support your career goals and academic needs.

Locationby region

Northwest- CEC Middle College- Girls Athletic

Leadership School- North - STRIVE Prep –

Highland- West Generation

Academy- West Leadership

Academy

Far Northeast- Collegiate Prep

Academy- DCIS at Montbello- DSST: GBR- DSST: Stapleton- High Tech Early

College- MLK Jr. Early College- Noel Community Arts- Vista Academy

Near Northeast- Bruce Randolph- DC-21- Denver Online- Denver Montessori HS- Denver School of the

Arts- East- Manual- PREP Academy- Venture Prep

Southwest- Abraham Lincoln- DCIS- DSST: College View- Florence Crittenton- JFK- KIPP Denver

Collegiate- Kunsmiller- Summit Academy

Southeast- DSST: Byers- George Washington- Rocky Mountain

School of Expeditionary Learning

- South- Thomas Jefferson

Education Quality

Academic proficiencyAcademic growth rate

Student engagement and satisfactionParent satisfaction

Re-enrollment & drop-out ratesCollege and career readiness

What are the SPF Ratings based on?

Overall SPF Ratings• Blue (exceeds expectations)

o East High Schoolo DSST Green Valley Rancho DSST Stapleton

• Green (meets expectations)o Career Education Center Middle College (CEC)o Denver Center for International Studies (DCIS)o Southo Denver School of the Arts (DSA)o George Washington (GW)o Martin Luther King Jr. Early College (MLK)o High Tech Early Collegeo KIPP Denver Collegiateo STRIVE Prep –SMART Academyo Girls Athletic Leadership School

Overall SPF Ratings• Yellow (watch/approaching)

o Northo West Leadership Academyo Denver Onlineo Abraham Lincolno Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy (KCAA)o John F. Kennedy (JFK)o Thomas Jefferson (TJ)o Noel Community Artso Vista Academyo Emily Griffith High Schoolo Sims-Fayola International Academy

• Orange (priority on watch)o Bruce Randolph o Southwest Early College o Collegiate Prep Academy

Overall SPF Ratings• Red (not meeting expectations)

o Contemporary Learning Academy (CLA) o West Generation Academyo Florence Crittentono Manualo Denver Center for 21st Century Learning at Wyman (DC-21)o PREP Academyo Venture Prepo Summit Academyo PUSH Academyo Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learningo Escuela Tlatelolcoo Denver Justiceo ACE Community Challenge

Graduation Rates • 90% or above

o Denver Center for International Studies (DCIS)o Denver School of the Arts (DSA)o Martin Luther King Jr. Early College (MLK)

• 80% or aboveo CEC Middle Collegeo Easto Bruce Randolpho George Washingtono DSST – Stapleton

• 70% or aboveo John F. Kennedyo Thomas Jefferson

• 60% or aboveo Abraham Lincolno Manualo Northo South

http://schoolmatch.dpsk12.org

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High School Exploration Resource

Basics Performance

Special Programs

Intensive Programs

College & Career

Readiness

Athletics After school

ProgramsELA services

Overall SPF Rating

Arts focus Engagement Center

World languages

Fitness Center

Academic club

Breakfast Graduation Rate

Fine Arts Credit recovery

AP courses Spirit Arts or music club

Lunch Performing Arts

Honors courses

Basketball Community service club

PE International Baccalaureate

Concurrent enrollment

Field hockey

Club based on ethnicity

Before-school programming

International Focus

Career/Tech education

Golf Yearbook or Newspaper

Uniform required

Science Focus

AVID Lacrosse Social clubs

DPS standard curriculum

American Indian

Future Center

Soccer Student leadership

Tutoring Offered

Expeditionary Learning

ASCENT Soccer

Newcomer Center

Pre-collegiate Programs

Softball

JROTC Swimming

Tennis

Track & field, Etc.

On the next page of the website, you will be asked to select the school categories and features that are important to you. Here is a table with all the options within each category.

High School Exploration

by Category

Location

Education Quality

Extra-curricular

www.dpsk12.orgOther High School Exploration Resources

Magnet Schools

• CEC Middle College of Denver• Denver School of the Arts • Denver Center for International

Studies (DCIS)• George Washington International

Baccalaureate• Center for Communication Technology

at TJ• Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

Magnet Schools/Programs

NEW: - DSA, GW IB, and TJ’s Center for Communication Technology

are the only schools who select their students based on student’s audition and/or application.

- All other magnet schools are now a part of the School of Choice lottery process. However, these schools may still require additional enrollment steps, such as participating in a mandatory orientation or completing an intent to enroll form.

CEC Middle College of Denver

21 career programs

CEC Middle College• Career Education Center Middle College of Denver

(CEC) is dedicated to career exploration and college readiness.  Students divide the day between academic classes and real-life career experiences. Juniors and seniors get a head-start on college, taking classes and earning full college credit on the Auraria campus.

CEC Middle College• Open House

o Thursday November 7th from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.o Come and find out about the 21career programs and how the

middle college program works. See actual demonstrations, talk to teachers and sample fantastic food.

• Application Process: o CEC Information Formo 3 Teacher recommendationso Attendance and academic recordo Mandatory parent meetingo Student interview

• Application Deadlines:o January 31st CEC Information Formo + January 31st School of Choice form

Denver School of the Arts

Denver School of the Arts• Denver School of the Arts is the only

comprehensive secondary arts magnet in the Rocky Mountain region, offering grades 6 through 12. In addition to a challenging and rigorous academic program, students engage in intensive studies in 10 arts-focus areas. The school community of faculty, staff and students strive to achieve an exceptional level of performance resulting in outstanding post-secondary placements, test scores and personal fulfillment.

Majors: Piano, Theatre, Visual Arts, Video Cinema, Vocal Music, Stagecraft and Design, Guitar, Band, Orchestra, Dance, Creative Writing,

Denver School of the Arts• Visitation Mornings

o November 1st, 4th, 8th, and 14th from 7:35– 9:00 a.m.o A chance to learn about the different majors, tour the school

and visit with DSA Administration.

• Application Process:o Online applicationo Mandatory pre-audition parent meetingo Student interviewo Audition

• Application Deadline:o November 22nd (noon) school specific online applicationo + January 31st School of Choice form

Denver Center for International Studies (DCIS)

Denver Center for International Studies (DCIS)

• DCIS, offering grades 6 through 12, focuses on international studies and offers five world languages. Students actively participate in local and global service-learning, leadership and travel programs, preparing to be college-ready and globally competent.  DCIS is proud of its high graduation and college going rates.

Denver Center for International Studies (DCIS)

• School Tours / Open Houseo Morning Tours: Every Wednesday from 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. o Evening Tours: November 6th or 20th from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.

RSVP to Iris Alarcon at iris_alarcon@dpsk12.org

• Application Process:o Select DCIS (+language community preference) on School of

Choice form (e.g. 1st choice - DCIS Chinese; 2nd choice – DCIS Japanese; etc.)

o Once selected through choice process:• Mandatory orientation on Tuesday March 11th • Student interview with faculty to review interests, needs,

strengths, etc.• Application Deadline:

o January 31st School of Choice form

George Washington International Baccalaureate

(Special magnet program within GW)

George Washington International Baccalaureate

• Are you looking for a rigorous and rewarding high school experience? The International Baccalaureate diploma program at George Washington offers a globally focused liberal arts education for motivated and ambitious students. Students are immersed in six academic subjects and must participate in extra curricular activities. Students apply for admission into pre-IB in grade 9 and are selected by test scores, recommendations and academic records.

George Washington International Baccalaureate

• Information Meetingso November 14th and December 3rd from 6:30 – 8:00 in the

GW auditorium

• Application Process:o Applicationo Teacher recommendationso Attendance and academic recordo Student questions/essayo Student Interview

• Application Deadline:o December 13th school specific applicationo + January 31st School of Choice form

The Center for Communication Technology Magnet

(Special magnet program within TJ)

Where creativity is our focus, technology is our tool, and communication is our goal.

The Center for Communication Technology Magnet

• The four-year, comprehensive Center for Communication Technology at Thomas Jefferson High School offers industry-standard training in Web Applications, Software Engineering, 3D Design, Robotics, and Broadcast/Broadband Journalism and Communications. The Center for Communication Technology gives students the opportunity to enhance their computer, technical and problem-solving skills as well as their oral, written and visual communication abilities.

The Center for Communication Technology Magnet

• Open Houseo October 22nd and December 3rd from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m.

• Application Process:o Online application at tjcomputermagnet.com o Student essayo Teacher recommendations

• Application Deadline:o January 10th school specific applicationo + January 31st School of Choice form

Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

• Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy is a K-12 educational environment that provides learning based on documented research that active learning, experiential investigation, and integrated arts are vital for the development of higher level thinking and of enthusiastic engagement inherent in lifelong learning.

Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy

• Tourso Fridays at 9:00 am. Call Main Office at 720-423-0200 to

schedule your tour.

• Application Process:• Mandatory Enrollment Night on either January 22nd or 23rd at 6:00

pm. During this event, you will be asked to:o Complete a student essayo Complete a student interviewo Bring 1 artifact to share (e.g. work sample, art sample, etc.)

• 2 Teacher recommendations• Application Deadline:

o January 31st “Intent to Enroll” application formo +January 31st School of Choice form

Next steps?• Attend the MS and HS EXPO• Attend an Open House or take a school tour• Continue using the enrollment guides, school

websites, and http://schoolmatch.dpsk12.org to research school options

• If you are happy with your home school, select this as your 1st choice on the Choice form.

• If you are unsure about your home school…o Rank order your other options (from 1 to 5)o Complete the School of Choice form by January 31st o Complete any other special application steps by the

required deadline

• Please rank order the schools you are interested in attending on the handout provided.