8 th Grade PEP Academic Guidance

School of Choice Which High School should I choose?

School of Choice Neighborhood School Charter School Multiple/ Intensive Pathway School Magnet School

High School Options Traditional & Innovative Schools Public secondary schools, which are intended to provide comprehensive knowledge and school programming. Traditional Example: North, South, East, GW, Lincoln, TJ, etc. Innovative Examples: Manual, Bruce Randolph, West Leadership, 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 Options Charter 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.

High School Options 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 Magnet 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, etc. 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.

Magnet Schools 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 School Programs NEW: -DSA 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 Denve r 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 Parent and Student Information Tours o December 3 rd 2014 and January 14 th, 2015 from 7:30 – 9:00 am Open House o Wednesday January 28 th from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. o Talk to teachers, see career demonstrations, sample food, etc. Application Process: o CEC Information Form o 3 Teacher recommendations o Attendance and academic record o Mandatory parent meeting o Student interview Application Deadlines: o January 30 th CEC Information Form o + January 30 th School of Choice form

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 3 rd, 7 th, 12 th, 14 th, 17 th, and 18 th from 7:30– 10:00 a.m. o A chance to learn about the different majors, tour the school and visit with DSA Administration. Application Process: o Online application due November 21 st at noon o Mandatory pre-audition parent meeting (Dec) o Audition (January) Application Deadline: o November 21 st (noon) school-specific online application o + January 30 th School of Choice form

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) Open House o November 20 th from 9:00 – 7:30 p.m. in auditorium Application Process: o Select DCIS (+language community preference) on School of Choice form (e.g. 1 st choice - DCIS Chinese; 2 nd choice – DCIS Japanese; etc.) o Once selected through choice process: Mandatory orientation on January 22 nd Student interview with faculty to review interests, needs, strengths, etc. Application Deadline: o January 30 th 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 who want to attend must select George Washington High School on their School of Choice form and check the interest box for International Baccalaureate.

George Washington International Baccalaureate Information Meetings o December 3 rd and January 14 th from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Welcomefest (activities and extracurricular showcase) o January 29 th at 5:30 p.m. Application Process: o None o Accepted students will take placement tests in the Spring. Application Deadline: o + January 30 th 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 House o December 2 rd from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Application Process: o Online application at cctmagnet.com o Student essay o Teacher recommendations Application Deadline: o January 9 th school specific application o + January 30 th 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 Tours o Fridays at 9:00 am. Call Main Office at to schedule your tour. Application Process: Attend Mandatory Essay/Interview Event on January 10 th. Submit Intent to Enroll form Submit 2 Teacher Recommendations Application Deadline: o January 30 th “Intent to Enroll” application form o +January 30 th School of Choice form

How do I find a school that’s right for me? Things to Consider o 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? Do students attend class and value their education? Do students and teachers treat one another with respect? o School Performance/Education: 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.

Location by 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

School Performance (SPF) Blue (exceeds expectations) o East High School o DSST Green Valley Ranch o DSST Stapleton Green (meets expectations) o Career Education Center Middle College (CEC) o Denver Center for International Studies (DCIS) o South o Denver School of the Arts (DSA) o George Washington (GW) o Martin Luther King Jr. Early College (MLK) o High Tech Early College o KIPP Denver Collegiate o STRIVE Prep –SMART Academy o Girls Athletic Leadership School

School Performance (SPF) Yellow (watch/approaching) o North o West Leadership Academy o Denver Online o Abraham Lincoln o Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy (KCAA) o John F. Kennedy (JFK) o Thomas Jefferson (TJ) o Noel Community Arts o Vista Academy o Emily Griffith High School o Sims-Fayola International Academy o High Tech Early College o Venture Prep Orange (priority on watch) o Bruce Randolph o Southwest Early College o Collegiate Prep Academy

School Performance (SPF) Red (not meeting expectations) o Contemporary Learning Academy (CLA) o West Generation Academy o Florence Crittenton o Manual o Denver Center for 21 st Century Learning at Wyman (DC-21) o PREP Academy o Venture Prep o Summit Academy o PUSH Academy o Rocky Mountain School of Expeditionary Learning o Escuela Tlatelolco o Denver Justice o ACE Community Challenge

What are the School Performance (SPF) ratings based on? Academic proficiency Academic growth rate Student engagement and satisfaction Parent satisfaction Re-enrollment & drop-out rates College and career readiness

School Performance (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 above o CEC Middle College o East o Bruce Randolph o George Washington o DSST – Stapleton 70% or above o John F. Kennedy o Thomas Jefferson 60% or above o Abraham Lincoln o Manual o North o South

High School Exploration Resources

Click on the “Parents & Students” tab for extremely helpful links!! * * * * * *

Select 9 th Grade Click Get started Enter your address High School Exploration Resource

BasicsPerformanceSpecial Programs Intensive Programs College & Career Readiness AthleticsAfter school Programs ELA servicesOverall SPF Rating Arts focusEngagement Center World languages Fitness Center Academic club BreakfastGraduation Rate Fine ArtsCredit recovery AP coursesSpiritArts or music club LunchPerforming Arts Honors courses BasketballCommunity service club PEInternational Baccalaureate Concurrent enrollment Field hockeyClub based on ethnicity Before-school programming International Focus Career/Tech education GolfYearbook or Newspaper Uniform required Science FocusAVIDLacrosseSocial clubs DPS standard curriculum American Indian Future CenterSoccerStudent leadership Tutoring Offered Expeditionary Learning ASCENTSoccer Newcomer Center Pre-collegiate Programs Softball JROTCSwimming Tennis Track & field, Etc. -You will be asked to select the school categories and features that are most important to you. Pick 2 things that are important to you! * If you attend a specialized school that doesn’t offer sports, you can play sports with your homeschool or nearby school. *

Education Quality Extra-Curricular Location

Regional HS EXPOs Northwest -December 10 th -9:00 – 11:00 am -North HS Far Northeast -December 3 rd -10:00 am – noon -Evie Dennis Campus Near Northeast -December 6 th -6:00 – 8:00 pm -Bruce Randolph Southwest -December 3 rd -9:00 – 1:00 am -Lincoln HS Southeast -December 3 rd -10:00 am – noon -Merrill MS

Next steps? 1.Attend a regional high school EXPO 2.Attend an Open House or take a school tour 3.Continue using the enrollment guides, school websites, and to research school optionshttp://schoolmatch.dpsk12.org 4.Rank schools in order of preference (1 to 5) 5.Complete any other special application steps by the required deadlines 6.Submit your School of Choice form by January 30 th at 4:00 pm

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