FAMILY WELCOME GUIDE C L A S S E S O F 2 0 2 0 -2 1
WELCOME TO DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS (DPS)! Dear New Families, This guide is intended for our families new to the United States, as well as our families who are English Learners. Our nation is made up of immigrants from all over the world. We believe all students have a lot to gain from talking to and learning from students with perspectives different from their own for success in a globally-connected economy. We view our various backgrounds as one of our biggest assets, and together, we can create a shared future. Starting a new school can be overwhelming. We understand you may have a lot of obstacles to navigate in our system, including language barriers, new learning practices, and social and cultural characteristics different from those in your home country. Our students speak more than 170 different languages and we proudly serve immigrant and refugee students in our six Newcomer Centers throughout our district. In DPS, we celebrate diversity and provide necessary resources and supports to eliminate barriers to success and foster a more equitable future for all our students. We commit to building a culture that embraces the unique identity and potential of every child. This guide outlines how our DPS schools are structured, resources and supports available to families, career and college programs and opportunities, and advice to get you settled in your new school. This document is a supplement to our Handbook for Families and Students and our Frequentlyasked-questions about Immigrant Rights. These documents are available in Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, English, French, Nepali, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese. You’re now a part of our DPS family, and we’re glad you’ve found a home here.
Warmly, DPS school counselors
TABLE OF CONTENTS ABOUT DPS How the School System is Organized DPS Classrooms DPS School Counselors Transportation to School
CAREER AND COLLEGE READINESS 2 3 4 5
SELECTING AND REGISTERING FOR DPS SCHOOLS SchoolChoice Submitting Transcripts Grading Practices GPA and Assessments
Attendance Conduct and discipline
Seal of Biliteracy English Classes for Adults
Immigration Resources After School Programming Back-to-School Resources Family and Community Engagement Parent Portal and Student Portal Free and Reduced-price Lunch Medicaid Health Insurance Social and emotional health Parent Portal
Earning College Credit in High School
Early College International Baccalaureate (I.B.) ASCENT
10 11 11
Class of 2021 and Beyond AVID Special Education
22 24 25 25 25
COLLEGE AND POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION Applying for College ASSET Admissions testing (SAT)
14 14 15 15 15 15 15 15 15 16
18 19 20 20 20 20 21 21
ACADEMIC SUPPORTS: Credit Recovery
12 12 13
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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS Classes of 2017-2020
FAMILY RESOURCES DACA
Career Exploration and Learning
Concurrent Enrollment (C.E.)
6 7 8 9
OVERCOMING LANGUAGE BARRIERS English Language Acquisition
Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP)
Advanced Placement (A.P.)
DPS FAMILIES Helping your student succeed
What is Career and College Readiness?
Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) NCA A - Playing Sports in College Paying for College FAFSA
27 28 28 28 29 30 30
CONTACT INFORMATION ���������������� 31
*This resource is not all-encompassing and is subject to change as offerings and opportunities expand. Please refer to the Handbook for Students and Families and dpsk12.org for up-to-date information.
HOW THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IS ORGANIZED DPS is a public institution, meaning the school district is paid for by taxes and of no cost to families. It is made up of primary (elementary) and secondary (middle and high) schools. Some students may need more time to complete the requirements and it is okay to stretch their path to graduation to a fifth or sixth year (up to age 21). Students learn a wide range of skills in school — mathematics, reading, science, social studies, history, art, physical education (P.E.) and more — and move to the next grade in the school system after passing exams and achieving skills.
OPTIONAL AGES 3-4
AGES 5-11
AGES 12-14
AGES 15-18
AGES 18+
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Elementary
Middle
High
Career and College
ABOUT DPS
In HIGH SCHOOL, a students progression through subjects can look something like the following:
Mathematics
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II
Trigonometry and/or Calculus
Social Studies
U.S. History
U.S. Government
Economics
World History
Sciences
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Earth or Space Sciences
English
Literature
Writing
Public Speaking
AP English
Electives
Arts
Foreign Languages
Physical Education
College-level classes
Note: This is a sample of the types of classes offered in our schools. Check with your school counselor for school-specific class offerings.
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After earning a diploma in high school, students may advance to a POSTSECONDARY SCHOOL, also referred to as higher education, which can be a college or university. In the U.S., college or university follows high school. It typically starts in the 13th or 14th year of school, when a student is around the age of 18, although it can start later. Students can earn many different types of college or university degrees in the U.S. Undergraduate degrees include a two-year associate degree or four-year bachelor degree. Students may also attend a TECHNICAL SCHOOL, which may also be referred to as a vocational school, trade school or vocational college. Trade
school teaches students technical skills to prepare them for a specific job, such as welding, automotive technician training or cosmetology. The length of time can vary — some programs take several months, whereas others may take two years. In America, you will hear people often refer to this as “going to college” and “getting prepared for college”. DPS offers many services to prepare students for college. After an undergraduate four-year bachelor degree is earned, students have the opportunity to earn an advanced degree at a university. Advanced degrees include a master’s (M.A.) and doctorate (Ph.D).
DPS CLASSROOMS In DPS, classrooms are co-educational, or “co-ed”, meaning both boys and girls are in the same classroom, learning together.
ABOUT DPS 3
ABOUT DPS
DPS SCHOOL COUNSELORS
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What do School Counselors do?
Who is my School Counselor?
School counselors are licensed professionals who support all students’ academic, career and social/emotional development. They work with students and their families in elementary, middle and high schools. You will often see a school counselor working with students individually, in small groups, or in classrooms to prepare them for success both in school and life after high school. School counselors develop a school counseling program that help students in areas such as academic achievement, personal development, social interactions and college/career advisement. They are also available to help students and their families connect with local community services and additional support.
School counselors are excited to talk to you and help your child succeed! You can reach your child’s school counselor by calling your school or visiting thecommons.dpsk12.org/Page/1726.
For more information on the role of a DPS school counselor visit thecommons.dpsk12.org/ Page/1707.
TRANSPORTATION TO A DPS SCHOOL
In DPS, we work hard to provide safe and timely transportation for students. For information on transportation and weather-related delays, visit transportation.dpsk12.org.
Transportation Eligibility • Students in kindergarten through grade five who live more than one mile from their boundary school. To view boundary maps, visit schoolchoice.dpsk12.org/boundary-maps.
• Students in grades 6-8 who live more than 2.5 miles from their boundary school.
• Students in grades 9-12 who live more than 3.5 miles from their boundary school.
Weather Delays or Closures On occasion, DPS closes schools for the day or delays the start of school because of weather conditions that make it unsafe to transport students. School closures and weather delays are posted as soon as those decisions are made at weather.dpsk12.org and transportation.dpsk12.org. Local television and radio stations are also notified and broadcast regular announcements of school closures or delays at thedenverchannel. com, 9News.com, kdvr.com and denver.cbslocal. com. Notifications in Spanish are made on radio newscasts on 1150-AM, 1280-AM and 1090-AM. Announcements to close or delay school are also posted to social media, EDUCA Facebook and the New American Neighbors online radio station
• Students who are attending a district-wide program with approved transportation. do not provide English Language Acquisition (ELA) services, students are eligible to attend ELA zone schools to receive services. If your student does not meet the DPS transportation eligibility criteria, and you would like him or her to ride the bus, you can fill out an online Transportation Exception Form through the Parent Portal, or call (720) 423-4699.
@DPSnewsnow @DPSschoolbus Facebook.com/ DenverPublicSchools
ABOUT DPS
• When English language learners’ home schools
FOLLOW US FOR UPDATES:
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SELECTION AND REGISTRATION
SELECTING AND REGISTERING FOR DPS SCHOOLS
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Every student is guaranteed enrollment in the school in their neighborhood. DPS is proud to offer the SchoolChoice program, which allows students to attend a school other than their neighborhood school. Every year in February, families may submit one form per student, on which they rank their students’ top five school preferences for the following school year. DPS then matches students to schools based on those preferences, as well as school admission priorities and available space. The system is designed to maximize the number of students getting their most-preferred school. You may choose to send your child to a school that has a Newcomer Center or a school that offers a specific foreign language program.
To learn more about the enrollment process and to compare schools, visit schoolchoice.dpsk12.org. This webpage provides information on how to enroll in a school, enrollment requirements, how to find your neighborhood school and other important information. For specific questions on this process, please contact schoolchoice@dpsk12.org.
SUBMITTING TRANSCRIPTS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS What’s a transcript in the U.S. education system? A transcript is a student’s permanent academic record. It’s the way schools keep track of a student’s classes, scores (or grades) earned and any honors received. For students new to DPS, official transcripts should be sent to the school counselor within two weeks of a student enrolling to make sure students are placed in the correct classes. For any questions, please see your school counselor.
U.S. TRANSCRIPTS FROM OUTSIDE OF DPS • Out-of-district transcripts are assessed by the home high school. • Students will be given course equivalents that are the closest match to the DPS course equivalent. FOREIGN TRANSCRIPTS • Foreign transcripts are welcome and DPS will work to translate any copies you are able to provide. Copies translated into English are preferred, but not required. • Grades are translated via classbase.com.
SELECTION AND REGISTRATION
For any transcript-related questions or concerns, please District Transcript Support, at transcript_support@dpsk12.org or 720.423.3341.
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GRADING PRACTICES Grading in education is intended to measure how a student is progressing in their learning, and how they are tracking against the state standards in order to earn credit and advance to the next level. Our DPS grading practices support award achievement of academic standards and are consistent across the district.
Grading Scale
SELECTION AND REGISTRATION
Most DPS schools use letter grades (A, B, C, D and F), though some schools use a 4-point scale that corresponds as indicated in the chart below:
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DESCRIPTION
PERCENT (%) BASED
LETTER GR ADE
VALUE ON A 4- POINT SCALE
The student shows knowledge and skills that is above their current educational level.
90-100%
A
4.0
The student shows knowledge and skills that is at their educational level.
80-89%
B
3.0
The student shows basic knowledge and skills but needs help in content related to his/her educational level.
70-79%
C
2.0
The student has some skills and knowledge, but needs help to complete basic skills or knowledge sets.
60-69%
D
1.0
The student was unable to show evidence and/ or satisfactory performance on assessments and evaluations of work.
0-59%
F
0.0
We know learning a new grading system can be complicated; so, please feel free to contact your child’s school or teacher for a thorough explanation if you have questions.
GPA AND ASSESSMENTS Grade Point Average (GPA) In high school, when referring to grades, you will hear the term “GPA”, which stands for Grade Point Average. GPA measures a student’s overall progress and grades received throughout their high school experience and is calculated by adding up a student’s final grades in all courses, and dividing that number by the total number of grades earned. GPA is important because it provides a representation of a student’s overall academic achievement — including how hard they worked and how much they learned. Potential employers and colleges use GPA to measure if a student is ready for the next step in their career and college journey.
GPA Example PERCENT (%) BASED
LETTER GR ADE
VALUE ON A 4- POINT SCALE
ENGLISH 101
74%
C
2.0
ALGEBRA
87%
B+
3.33
COMPUTER SCIENCE
80%
B-
2.67
GEOGRAPHY
90%
A-
3.67
GPA
2.92
Assessments Assessments (sometimes referred to as standardized tests) measure specific skills and provide information on whether students have mastered grade-level content. DPS provides detailed information on how assessments are used, which assessments your child will take and when, and district policies for assessments online at standards.dpsk12.org.
SELECTION AND REGISTRATION
COURSE
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DPS FAMILIES There are several ways to get involved early in your student’s progress toward graduation, including:
ENSURE STUDENTS ATTEND SCHOOL
DPS FAMILIES
ADVOCATE FOR YOUR CHILD, ASK QUESTIONS!
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HELP YOUR CHILD FILL OUT AN ICAP AND START TALKING TO YOUR CHILD EARLY ABOUT CAREER AND COLLEGE
SET UP A STUDY ROUTINE WITH YOUR CHILD
WAYS TO HELP YOUR STUDENT SUCCEED
READING WITH YOUR CHILD EVERY NIGHT AND SPEAKING TO YOUR CHILD IN THEIR MOTHER TONGUE
REQUEST TR ANSL ATION AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES
YOU CAN REQUEST MEETINGS WITH YOUR TEACHER, SCHOOL COUNSELOR AND PRINCIPAL
LOOK INTO WAYS YOUR CHILD CAN EARN FREE COLLEGE CREDIT
Why is attendance important?
For behavior and misconduct policies, please see the DPS Handbook for Families and Students
DPS FAMILIES
Students learn best when they are in school. When a student misses a day of school, he or she misses valuable lessons in each class and the opportunity to practice. Students are required by law to attend school until they are 17 years of age. Student absences need to be called into the school on the day the student misses school. Students must attend a minimum of 90% of the time (or in attendance at least nine days out of 10). A truant student, one who is considered not attending according to law, is a student under the age of 17 who has been absent from school without permission for four or more days in a given month or 10 or more days in a school year.
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OVERCOMING LANGUAGE BARRIERS
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION
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We recognize that our new students may face academic and language challenges, and we offer specialized programs and services to support all students in a safe and welcoming environment. In fact, we have more than 30,000 students whose first language is a language other than English, so if your student is among our many English Language Learners, they are not alone.
and his/her family. If a language other than English is spoken, your school will evaluate your child’s English proficiency and recommend services that best meet his/her needs. As a parent or guardian, you choose the services that you want your child to receive.
We have specialized, intentional instruction to build and develop your student’s skills across subject areas to propel your learning.
Seal of Biliteracy
Every student’s primary language is an asset that, combined with English language skills, leads to success in school and life. English Language Acquisition (ELA) services help students with limited proficiency in English develop knowledge in core content areas while they learn English. There are different types of ELA services available at DPS schools, and school staff is available to help parents understand which of these services will be best suited to the unique needs of their child. Our ELA programs help students learn English as they study their core subjects. In an ELA program, students who are native speakers of languages other than English, and not yet proficient in English, are supported by teachers specially trained to instruct English learners. Historically, English language learners who successfully complete the ELA program services have had higher graduation rates than all other DPS students.
Who is eligible for ELA services? Parents of all new students complete a form called the Home Language Questionnaire, which identifies the language or languages spoken by the student
To learn about the different types of ELA services, visit ela.dpsk12.org and the handbook.
Increasingly, colleges and employers are seeking graduates who are able to speak, read and write in multiple languages. We began offering the DPS Seal of Biliteracy to encourage students to maintain their heritage languages while learning English, as well as to encourage English-speaking students to learn additional languages. We have aligned our bilingual programs to the requirements of the Seal in order to increase the number of students who graduate fully bilingual. The Seal of Biliteracy is an award given by DPS in recognition of students who have attained reading and writing proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation. The seal appears on the transcript and diploma of the graduating senior and is a statement of accomplishment for future employers and for college admissions. The seal is for all students who demonstrate mastery in multiple languages using the approved criteria, not just English learners or Spanish speakers. For more information visit: ela.dpsk12.org.
ELA RESOURCES
LANGUAGE SERVICES
ELA • Learn more about our English Language Acquisition services at ela.dpsk12.org. • A quick video on ELA options for your student: ela.dpsk12.org/ela-programs/. • Frequently Asked Questions: ela.dpsk12.org/20-2/frequently-asked-questions-for-parents. NEWCOMER CENTERS • Learn more about our Newcomer Centers at ela.dpsk12.org/newcomer-centers/. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES • Visit dpsk12.org/languages/ to obtain parent essential information and learn more about your rights. • You can always schedule a parent-teacher conference or communicate with your child’s teacher directly.
INTENSIVE ENGLISH CLASS OFFERINGS Emily Griffith Technical College offers day and evening English as a Second Language (ESL) classes for students, families and the community. For more information, visit: emilygriffith.edu/Colorado-English-School .
OVERCOMING LANGUAGE BARRIERS
• DPS provides translation (written) and interpretation (spoken) services to families, free of charge. To request translation or interpretation services, please contact your school’s main office. For more information, please visit: dpsk12.org/communications/language-services/.
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FAMILY RESOURCES As a DPS family, your involvement in your child’s education is encouraged. We have many ways for you to get connected with DPS. It is your right to stay informed about your child’s experience, and ask questions.
FAMILY RESOURCES
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
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DACA is a federal program that allows undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children to apply to defer removal procedures for a period of two years and grants them work authorization. Many college scholarships are now connected to having DACA status. Previously, you were able to request DACA if you or your child:
As of September 2017, DACA will be phased out and the federal government will no longer accept initial or renewal requests for DACA, with potential exceptions for residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. However, if you currently have DACA, you will be able to keep both DACA and your work authorization until they expire. Due to the ever changing federal regulations, continue to check updated information on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website at uscis.gov.
• Were under age 31 on June 15, 2012 • Came to the U.S. before reaching age 16 • Have been in the U.S. continuously from June 15, 2007 to the present
• Were in the U.S. on June 15, 2012 • Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012 • Are currently in school, graduated high school, obtained a GED and have NOT been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor or three or more misdemeanors.
For more information on the current status of DACA, contact Catholic Charities at 303-742-4971 or visit uscis.gov/daca2017.
Immigration Resources Additional support for immigrant and refugee families is available here: dpsk12.org/respondingto-immigration-concerns/.
Afterschool Programming Discovery Link is Denver Public Schools’ official afterschool program. We offer quality programming before and after school, during school breaks and on school dismissal days at over 40 sites across the district. Our programs run from 6:30 a.m. until the school bell rings in the morning, and in the afternoon from dismissal time until 6 p.m. Discovery Link will offer full-day summer programming at 11 sites in 2017.
For more information, visit discoverylink.dpsk12.org .
Free and Reduced-price Lunch (FRL) Research shows that kids do better at school when they are nourished and healthy. That’s why we ensure our students have nutritious and delicious food options every day. We prepare lunches from scratch daily, including full salad and fruit bars and vegetarian and gluten-free options. Free breakfast is also offered to all students, every day. Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility is determined through an application process which considers both income and household size.
Parents can find the meal program application at myschoolapps.com/application .
Back-to-School Resources Tips for families transitioning to new schools can be found at: face.dpsk12.org.
Family and Community Engagement
Please call the family helpline at 720-423-3054 or visit face.dpsk12.org.
DPS offers assistance in applications to Medicaid, a health insurance program which is jointly funded by the state and federal government. Please email medicaid@dpsk12.org or call 720-423-3661 for more information.
Social and Emotional Supports DPS is leading the nation in the level of effort and attention around Whole Child supports. We are committed to providing equitable and inclusive environments where we ensure students are Healthy, Supported, Engaged, Challenged, Safe, and Socially and Emotionally Intelligent. Research shows a focus on these areas for our kids improves academic performance and helps ensure success in college, career and life. Social and emotional intelligence is gauged by a student’s competency in self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making. A list of the social and emotional supports we offer our students and parents is located on the Parent Portal.
FAMILY RESOURCES
The Office of Family and Community Engagement (FACE) fosters a school community that is educated, engaged and empowered to share the responsibility in creating thriving schools where Every Child Succeeds. This team provides high-quality bilingual services to staff, family and community members who need assistance accessing school and district resources, addressing pressing concerns and building skills to be strong advocates and partners in their students’ education.
Medicaid Health Insurance Assistance
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Parent Portal Parent and Student Portal is an online tool available for all parents and students wanting to check grades and assignments, attendance and behavior, district and state assessments, schedule and courses, and other academic resources. This is an excellent tool to use to have conversations with your child about how school is going, what they are excited about learning and what supports they might need. You can access computers for free at your local public library. Interpretation services (oral, in person or by phone) are offered for free to parents and families, and may be requested by your child's teacher or other school staff member. Parent Portal can be accessed from any computer or cell phone (using an app) with internet. Parents who have more than one student only need one account!
PARENTS/GUARDIANS*: 1. Visit myportal.dpsk12.org.
FAMILY RESOURCES
2. Click the “Getting Started” tab on the top.
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3. Fill out the form on the left with your name, email address, phone number, and your student’s information. Click “SUBMIT”. TIP: Student’s ID number is the same as their lunch number. 4. Create your username and password. Click “SUBMIT”. 5. You will receive an email from the DPS Portal Team with a link to activate your account*. 6. Click the link. You will receive another email within 30 minutes with your chosen username and password. 7. Visit myportal.dpsk12.org and click “Parent Login” to access your account with your credentials. *If you do not receive this email in your inbox, please check your spam folder. STUDENTS: Visit myportal.dpsk12.org to login and use your student ID number as your username and your 8 digit date of birth as your password (Ex:10101989). *Parents/Guardians must have a valid email address to create an account. Free accounts can be set up with gmail.com or yahoo.com. (the Portal Team can help with this step if needed).
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE CAREER AND COLLEGE READY?
We know that there is not a single assessment or classroom test that can measure a student’s interests and aspirations following high school, and believe strongly that student success should also be measured by success in a student's intended field of study or training after high school. DPS sets high expectations in a challenging environment, so students are motivated to achieve more as they progress in their education.
Why is this important? The more prepared a student is for success, the more opportunities and options open up for them after high school graduation. Research shows most future careers require students to continue on with some form of postsecondary education after they graduate — whether it’s college, trade school, an apprenticeship or military service.
74%
OF ALL COLORADO JOBS BY 2020 WILL REQUIRE EDUCATION BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL
Through career-related learning experiences at DPS, students can apply their academic abilities with professional traits and go on to be successful in their adult lives.
Visit collegeandcareer.dpsk12.org for more information.
CAREER AND COLLEGE READINESS
Students who are career and college ready understand what will be expected of them when they get to the next step in their career journey, and are prepared academically, socially and emotionally. It means that students are equipped with the necessary skills to successfully begin a college degree, technical degree, technical certification program or enter the workforce, without the need for remediation.
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CAREER AND COLLEGE READINESS
INDIVIDUAL CAREER & ACADEMIC PLAN (ICAP)
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ICAP stands for Individualized Career and Academic Plan. It is a personalized career and academic planning tool that evaluates all aspects of a student's path to career and college, including: goal setting, college opportunities, academic planning, financial literacy/ financial aid and 21st Century skills. The ICAP provides a framework that allows students to see the relevance of school to their future career and college aspirations, and explore possibilities. The ICAP process starts in sixth grade in DPS through school counselor and/or teacherled activities. Students create and update an ongoing plan with the support of adults. The ICAP has been shown to increase graduation rates and improve student success. ICAPs meet state legislation requirements and are a graduation requirement.
UPON ENROLLING AT A DPS SCHOOL, STUDENTS SHOULD WORK WITH THEIR SCHOOL COUNSELOR AND/OR TEACHER TO BEGIN THE ICAP PROCESS.
CAREER EXPLORATION AND LEARNING DPS CareerConnect "I want to pursue a career in the medical field, and my experience with the DPS CareerConnect Launch Internship Program is helping me prepare. My internship at the animal shelter combines both my passion for healthcare and love for animals—the best of both worlds!"
DPS CareerConnect gives students early exposure to career options as they learn more about their own passions and interests. With access to hundreds of exploration opportunities, students visit work sites in a field they want to know more about and talk to professionals.
Breanna Gonzales DPS student
CareerConnect includes pathways in engineering, health (sports medicine, nursing, fitness), biomedical, technology (3D animation, computer science, robotics), business and marketing, creative (theatre, visual and design arts, fashion, film), hospitality/culinary, public service, architecture and construction, advanced manufacturing, automotive, welding, criminal justice and education.
Students take the skills learned in the classroom and apply them on the job through shadowing (observing a professional at work), internships and apprenticeship opportunities. Many classes offer college credit or industry standard certifications.
CAREER AND COLLEGE READINESS
Learn more about the program at collegeandcareer.dpsk12.org and contact by emailing careerandcollegesuccess@ dpsk12.org or calling 720-423-6451.
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EARNING COLLEGE CREDIT IN HIGH SCHOOL By earning college credit — or academic hours that count toward a college degree — while in high school, students save significantly on college tuition, and avoid required introductory courses and advance to upperlevel courses, so they can earn their college degree faster. HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS
$11,667
COLLEGE GRADUATES
CAREER AND COLLEGE READINESS
AVERAGE SALARY
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$62,609 HIGH SCHOOL DROPOUTS
27% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
COLLEGE GRADUATES
5%
Advanced Placement (AP) Advanced Placement classes are college-level classes that are taken while a student is still in high school. Students may receive college credit by taking the AP exam in May and getting a qualifying score of 3, 4 or 5. In addition, students who have AP courses on their transcripts stand out to college admissions offices, as they indicate experience with the rigors of a postsecondary curriculum with experience learning time management habits, study skills and how to handle challenging issues. School counselors are able to help students with the appropriate placement into AP classes at each school.
Concurrent Enrollment (CE) Concurrent Enrollment, also referred to as dual enrollment, allows students to take courses at local colleges and universities while enrolled in high school in order to receive high school and college credits at the same time. Concurrent Enrollment is available at all DPS high schools as well as select DPS charter schools. Participation in Concurrent Enrollment is based on a student’s college-readiness as well as their Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP), which students develop with their school counselor or school leader. For more information, please contact your high school’s counseling staff.
Early College Early College is an innovative model that blends the high school experience with a college-going culture. The goal is for each DPS early college student to earn 60 college credit hours – or the equivalent of a college associate degree – upon high school graduation, completely free. Through partnerships with local colleges and universities, Early College aims to provide college access to students who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education: firstgeneration college students, low-income students, students of color and English learners. This strategic approach also allows students the opportunity to earn an industry certificate in an area that interests them — such as accounting, graphic design and illustration, automotive service and technology, web research and more. For more information, please contact your high school’s counseling staff.
International Baccalaureate (IB) International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma Programmes (DP) provide a challenging curriculum in more than 10 DPS schools that is consistent and highly regarded around the world. IB schools focus on international perspectives of learning and teaching, while supporting students in fully exploring their home culture and language. IB instruction helps develop the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills that prepare students for success in a rapidly globalizing world. Students who take IB DP courses and exams in high school stand out in the college admissions process and have the opportunity to earn credits or advanced standing at most U.S. colleges and universities. By engaging in these courses, students demonstrate maturity, college readiness and emphasize their commitment to academic excellence.
ASCENT gives students the opportunity to attend college for a full year, tuition-free, after completing high school graduation requirements. Students must submit an Intent to Participate application, write a one-page response to a provided prompt, provide at least one letter of recommendation, be college-ready for their chosen program of study and have completed 12 college credit hours (100 level or higher) by the end of their senior year. For more information, please contact your high school’s counseling staff.
CAREER AND COLLEGE READINESS
More information is available at collegeandcareer.dpsk12.org/ international-baccalaureateprogram .
Accelerating Students through Concurrent ENrollmenT (ASCENT)
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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: CLASS OF 2020
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All students are required to complete a specific number of courses in order to graduate. These courses include language arts, social studies, science, math and more. For a full list, visit collegeandcareer.dpsk12.org. Some students may need more time to complete the requirements and it is okay to stretch their path to graduation to a fifth or sixth year (up to age 21). To be considered a senior, the student must have a minimum of 180 credit hours. Students can earn up to 70 credits in any given year by taking a full schedule of classes. Thus, if a student falls behind on credits in their freshmen, sophomore or junior year, they could still graduate on time by successfully completing 70 or more credit hours their senior year.
GRADE LEVEL CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS 0 UNITS
FRESHMAN/ENTERING HIGH SCHOOL
6 UNITS
SOPHOMORE/10TH GRADE
12 UNITS
JUNIOR/11TH GRADE
18 UNITS
SENIOR/12TH GRADE
24 UNITS
AWARD DIPLOMA
Required Courses GENERAL COURSE OF STUDY
24 UNITS (240 semester hours) are required in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 in the following content areas:
MATHEMATICS
4 UNITS REQUIRED INCLUDING:
• 1 UNIT of Algebra I or its equivalent • 1 UNIT of Geometry or its equivalent
LANGUAGE ARTS
• 1 UNIT of Algebra II or its equivalent • 1 UNIT of upper-level math from an approved course list are required
4 UNITS MINIMUM INCLUDING: • 1 UNIT of English 1 • 1 UNIT of English 2 • 1 UNIT of upper division writing academic elective or World Literature 1 & 2
• Note: ELA 2 Reading/Reading or an ELD Seminar, taken for an entire year, can meet the upper division language arts requirement
SOCIAL STUDIES
• 1 UNIT of either Physical Education (PE), Dance, ROTC or DPS Athletics required
FINE ARTS OR CTE • 1 UNIT required in Art, Music, Drama or Career and Technical Education
ELECTIVES • Student must earn 7 UNITS of electives, of which 2 UNITS may be community service and service learning.
3 UNITS REQUIRED INCLUDING: • 1 UNIT in U.S. History • 1/2 UNIT in Civics • 1.5 UNITS of other Social Studies credit SCIENCE
3 UNITS REQUIRED INCLUDING: • At least 2 units from Earth Science, Biology,
COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SERVICE LEARNING • 22 OF THE 24 UNITS required to earn a diploma must be earned in classroom-based instruction. Students may earn and apply a maximum of twenty semester hours (2 units) of community service and/ or service learning experience, approved by the school, toward graduation requirements. These experiences may include, but are not limited to, field or service experiences, work experiences, volunteering with community organizations and internships.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
• 1 UNIT of other upper division language arts credit
PHYSICAL EDUCATION/DANCE, CITYWIDE MARCHING BAND, ROTC OR DPS ATHLETICS
Chemistry or Physics
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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: CLASS OF 2021 AND BEYOND
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We have updated graduation requirements for our Class of 2021 and every graduation class after that. Our updated graduation standards include three key pieces: coursework, competency and completion of an Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP). BEGINNING WITH THE CLASS OF 2021, STUDENTS WILL BE EXPECTED TO ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING MILESTONES IN ORDER TO EARN A DPS DIPLOMA:
ICAP Requirement Students will continue to work with their school counselors, teachers and families to develop, update and complete their Individual Career and Academic Plans (ICAPs), a process which starts as early as the sixth grade. Through this personalized career and academic planning tool, students are empowered to evaluate all aspects of their path to career and college, including goal setting, college opportunities, academic planning, financial literacy and financial aid, and 21st Century Skills. This framework creates an attainable roadmap for students, so they are able to visualize how exploring possibilities and achieving milestones translates to their future career and college aspirations.
Coursework Requirements
Competency Requirement
Students will be required to complete 24 units of course credit across an assortment of content areas to prepare them for acceptance requirements at postsecondary institutions. The coursework required includes the following:
Students will be required to demonstrate competency in English and math, which means proving they understand the content and are able to build upon the skills learned.
• 4 UNITS of English language arts • 4 UNITS of mathematics • 3 UNITS of science • 3 UNITS of social studies • 1 UNIT of physical education • 1 UNIT of arts or eligible Career Technical Education (CTE)
• 8 UNITS of approved electives
We know students are unique and take many paths to achieving success; therefore, we have created multiple opportunities and plans of study through which they can demonstrate competency. The competency demonstrations may be achieved in a variety of ways that reflect Colorado academic standards, such as earning minimum scores on state and national tests, completing rigorous learning projects, passing college-level courses taken during high school or earning an approved professional certification.
To review in detail all the ways students can fulfill the competency requirements, please visit collegeandcareer.dpsk12.org.
Dr. Kimberly Grayson School Leader
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
"With our updated graduation requirements, there are now more ways than ever for students with different learning styles and career goals to demonstrate they’re college and career ready."
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GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
ACADEMIC SUPPORTS
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Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) AVID is focused on getting students ready for career and college, specifically for students underrepresented in higher education. It prepares students for success in college and life by equipping them with academic norms and college knowledge so they can gain confidence in their abilities and feel empowered to realize their dreams and take ownership of their education. AVID strategies and elective classes are implemented at more than 25 DPS elementary, middle and high schools.
Credit Recovery Students who have not passed core courses — such as math and English —are provided with an opportunity to redo coursework or retake a course through a variety of alternative programs, including summer school and credit-recovery courses. Credit
recovery allows students to earn academic credit, avoid failure and continue on with their education journey. In order to register students for this program, please see your school counselor.
Special Education DPS is committed to providing students with disabilities with an educational experience based on the individual needs of each student. Special education services provide specialized instruction for students to minimize the impact of their disability through a variety of different services, ranging from services provided in a general education classroom to a classroom with a special education teacher. The goal of special education is to provide services that allow students with disabilities to acquire the skills to pursue independent living and postsecondary readiness. For more information please see your school counselor or visit studentequity.dpsk12.org/ special-education.
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS It is not as difficult as you may think, and DPS offers several services to help students navigate the process. Different colleges may have varying admissions requirements. Specific college admissions information can be found on the student’s career and college account or on the university's website. For more information talk to your school counselor. The Colorado Commission on Higher Education has adopted admissions requirements, which are baselevel requirements for four-year college admissions in the state of Colorado. Students should contact the counseling office at their school for specific course advice, but as a general rule students should aim to take the following courses: ACADEMIC AREA*
2017 GRADUATES
ENGLISH
4 YEARS
MATHEMATICS (MUST INCLUDE ALGEBRA I, GEOMETRY, ALGEBRA II OR EQUIVALENTS)
4 YEARS
NATURAL/PHYSICAL SCIENCES (TWO UNITS MUST BE LAB-BASED)
3 YEARS
SOCIAL SCIENCES (AT LEAST ONE UNIT OF U.S. OR WORLD HISTORY)
3 YEARS
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
1 YEAR
ACADEMIC ELECTIVES
2 YEARS
For course guidelines see paragraph 4.01 of the Admissions Standards Policy highered.colorado.gov/Publications/Policies/Current/i-partf.pdf. For a glossary of college admissions terms, visit: bigfuture.collegeboard.org/get-in/ applying-101/college-admission-glossary.
COLLEGE AND POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
College admissions is the process students go through in order to enter college in the U.S. Depending on the college or university, the process can include responsibilities such as submitting an essay, providing a high school transcript, submitting standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) and filling out an application. DPS aligns student expectations with those of what colleges want to see: study habits, hard work and how a student has developed character outside of the classroom.
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ASSET The ASSET Law grants undocumented and DACA students in Colorado in-state tuition. These students are not eligible for federal aid; but under the ASSET law, any student who enrolled for at least six semesters in a Colorado high school before graduating and is accepted to a participating Colorado college can gain in-state tuition.
COLLEGE AND POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
ASSET students can also use the College Opportunity Fund (COF), which is worth $75 per credit.
Each college has a separate process for applying to ASSET but students can apply for COF at cof.college-assist.org. For more information on ASSET, please see your school counselor.
College Admissions Testing (SAT) The SAT is a paper-based standardized college entrance exam that is accepted by all colleges in the US. The SAT is administered to 11th-graders in DPS during the month of April. Most students take the SAT in the spring of 11th grade and again in the fall of 12th grade. All students enrolled in DPS will receive the SAT exam in the spring of their junior year. Students and families participating in the free- and reducedprice lunch program or struggling financially may receive fee waivers to take the SAT again and can receive college application fee waivers. The SAT will assess reading skills, writing skills and math skills, and will provide a total score range for students on a 400-1600 point scale. There is no penalty for students who make an educated guess on questions they don’t know so it is encouraged for students to try their hardest. In many instances, the higher the test score, the more competitive a student’s application is to college or scholarships.
OFFICIAL SAT PRACTICE EXAM THROUGH KHAN ACADEMY DPS students also have free access to the only
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online SAT practice tool designed by the creators of the SAT. The program utilizes a variety of learning techniques – including hints, scenarios and videos – in an effort to take what students are learning in the classroom at DPS, and focus on the skills necessary for college readiness. All DPS high school students as early as ninth grade (13 years old and older) have access to the online program.
For more information or if you need help registering, please see your school counselor or visit collegeboard.org.
Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) The Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) is a close partner with Denver Public Schools. DSF has three departments that work to support the college success efforts of DPS students. These three departments include supporting Access to college, providing Scholarships to eligible students and supporting scholarship recipients’ Success in college.
THE COLLEGE ACCESS TEAM is comprised of a team of college advisors who work closely with students and school counselors in 21 high schools across DPS. College advisors help students identify colleges and scholarships to apply to, host financial aid workshops, support financial aid completion and manage the Future Centers in each high school, where students can go to get college-related work done. Find the college advisor at you high school at denverscholarship.org/students/high-school/ steps/future-centers . THE DSF SCHOLARSHIP offers a need-based, renewable, four-year scholarship to DPS students who attend Denver Public Schools for all four years of high school and enroll at one of our 31 partnering Colorado colleges. Students who graduate with a 2.0 grade point average or higher, apply to three other scholarships by April 1, and demonstrate financial need by
submitting the FAFSA by April 1 are eligible to apply for the DSF scholarship. It is open to students with DACA as well. Award amounts are $1,400-1,700 at two-year colleges or certificate programs and $2,800-3,400 at four-year colleges. Scholarship eligibility and award amounts are subject to change.
THE COLLEGE SUCCESS PROGRAM directly works with partner colleges to provide our scholarship recipients with extra financial aid and ongoing support to help them succeed and ultimately graduate.
NCAA Coursework Requirements: Playing Sports in College
• Minimum core course GPA (grade point average) of 2.3
• 10 of the 16 core requirements must be completed prior to start of senior year
• 7 of the 10 core courses must be from English, math and science
• Grades earned in the 10 core classes are “locked in” for the purpose of calculating the final core course GPA.
• Any retakes of the first 10 core courses must be completed prior to senior year. Contact your school counselor to ensure your DPS coursework meets NCA A requirements.
"Applying for college and planning for the future can feel overwhelming for students, but they should know that they're not alone. In DPS, we offer countless supports to prepare them. We encourage our students and families to talk to their school counselors, teachers and family about their college and career goals." Dr. Samantha Haviland, DPS Counseling Team
COLLEGE AND POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
Student athletes considering a Division 1 athletic scholarship are required to meet several qualifications to show they are on track with their academic performance. Below are basic requirements; to review a full list of regulations, visit the NCA A Eligibility Center: eligibilitycenter.org.
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PAYING FOR COLLEGE
COLLEGE AND POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION
In the U.S., college (school after high school) costs money. Aid is available to support families in managing costs.
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Financial Aid options
FAFSA
Financial aid refers to paying for college and other post-high school training options. Financial aid could mean scholarships, loans, military aid, grants or other types of money that is meant to contribute to furthering education. Some financial aid, such as scholarships and grants, do not require repayment. Other forms of financial aid, such as loans, do require repayment.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) To apply for most financial aid in the U.S., students are required to complete a FAFSA. The FAFSA is step one of applying for grants, scholarships and loans to help pay for college. It opens on Oct. 1 for the following school year. Financial aid is often given on a first- come, firstserved basis, so it is important for students to submit their FAFSA as close to Oct.1 as possible. In order to complete the FAFSA, students will need:
• Federal tax returns
To apply for financial aid: 1. First, complete a FAFSA according to the college’s requirements (some colleges may require undocumented students to apply through a paper application). 2. Next, contact the financial aid office at that college. Some universities may have additional applications they would like you to apply for. Financial aid is often awarded on a first-come, firstserved basis and many scholarships are due Oct. 31.
For more information, please see your school counselor and visit: bigfuture. collegeboard.org/pay-forcollege/financial-aid-101/ financial-aid-can-help-youafford-college.
• Social security numbers for student and parent(s) (if applicable)
• Date of birth for student and parent(s) • Dollar amount in checking and savings accounts • Information about the value of any other properties or investments
For more information, please speak to your school counselor, your college’s financial aid office or see the website: fafsa.gov. College Board also has helpful resources to get you started. bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ pay-for-college/financialaid-101/how-to-complete-thefafsa.
CONTACT DPS FAMILY AND COMMUNITY HELPLINE Have a general question about DPS? The Helpline is a great place to start.
FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICES Breakfast and lunch menus, pay for meals online, and health and wellness resources.
face.dpsk12.org
foodservices.dpsk12.org
720-423-3054
720-423-5600
CAREER AND COLLEGE SUCCESS Learn how families and students can prepare for a student’s future goals. collegeandcareer.dpsk12.org 720-423-1240 CHOICE AND ENROLLMENT SERVICES Information on how to find, apply and register for your school of choice. schoolchoice.dpsk12.org 720-423-3493 DISCOVERY LINK Questions about before- and afterschool or community programs. discoverylink.dpsk12.org 720-423-1781 DPS FOUNDATION Donations, or questions on how to support DPS’ fundraising partner. dpsfoundation.org 720-423-3553
ela.dpsk12.org 720-423-2040
studentequity.dpsk12.org 720-423-3437 STUDENT RECORDS Request student records or transcripts. denverco.scriborder.com 720-423-3552 TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETATION SERVICES Provides translation (written) and interpretation (spoken) to support linguistically diverse parents and families. Contact your school to request these services. dpsk12.org/communications/languageservices/ Please call your school to ask about translation and interpretation services TRANSPORTATION Eligibility, policies, routes and resources related to school transportation. transportation.dpsk12.org 720-423-4600
CONTACT DPS
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION SERVICES Services for English Language Acquisition programs, immigration rights, newcomer centers, the Seal of Bilteracy and how to become involved in ELA Parent Advisory Committees.
STUDENT EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY For Information on social-emotional supports, school nursing, special education, psychological and social work services, gifted and talented, 504 accommodations, federal title programming, Medicaid enrollment and school health programs.
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Denver Public Schools | 720-423-3200 | dpsk12.org | 1860 Lincoln St., Denver, CO 80203 | info@dpsk12.org