Dear Parents and Guardians,

Thank you for your unwavering support of St. Vrain Valley Schools. Your outstanding dedication to the well-being and success of our students, teachers, staff and schools is a testament to our incredible community.

Among our many high-quality programs, we are very proud of the outstanding portfolio of instructional options available across our high schools. Choosing a high school for your student is an important and personal step in charting their future path. Toward this end, St. Vrain offers a diverse and extensive selection of rigorous academic programs that give your student a choice in selecting a school that best aligns with their interests and educational goals.

Our many high school options include instructional focus academies in aerospace and engineering, biomedical sciences, business, energy, medical and biosciences, leadership, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), and visual and performing arts. Other excellent instructional programs across St. Vrain include honors courses, Advanced Placement and AP Capstone courses, International Baccalaureate, CU Succeed Gold and Silver, P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School), our virtual Online Global Academy and the Career Development Center which offers eight high-quality Career and Technical Education programs.

Successful completion of many of these programs can result in a full year or more of transferable college credit prior to graduation. The graduating class of 2018 had an opportunity to start their postsecondary education with approximately 12,000 college credits on their transcripts, potentially saving their families $3.4 million in tuition costs at local four-year universities.

Student engagement is an important part of any comprehensive high school experience. Accordingly, St. Vrain offers a robust selection of co-curricular activities and enrichment options in every school throughout our district. Students can participate in the arts, music programs, athletics and many other high-quality activities that further support the development of well-rounded citizens who embody teamwork, leadership and strong character.

This is a very exciting time in our schools as we continue to ensure student success and a strong competitive advantage for a globalized 21st-century economy. St. Vrain Valley Schools’ college preparatory and high-quality instructional focus programs – delivered through rigorous courses and engaging activities – ensure that your student will receive a world-class high school education. I encourage you to review our 2018-2019 Guide to High School Options and hope that you will attend some of our upcoming open house events.

Take care, and as always, thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

Don Haddad, Ed.D.
303-682-7205
haddad_don@svvsd.org
Twitter: @SVVSDSupt

Highlights

• Home to St. Vrain’s only Academy of Engineering and Aerospace
• Erie High School offers the AP Capstone ™ diploma program
• Students can earn 65 hours of college credit by participating in these options: 18 College Board Advanced Placement courses, eight Front Range Community College courses and CU Succeed’s college credit program
• Erie High School offers four levels of Mandarin Chinese in cooperation with the Confucius Institute
• Students have received state and national recognition, including Boettcher Scholarships and National Merit Scholarship finalists
• Erie High boasts several successful athletic and performing arts programs, including a nationally ranked girls softball team and many state championships and recognitions in athletics, choral, Jazz Band, and visual and performing arts
• Home of the Erie Tiger Network, a nationally recognized student broadcasting program.

College Prep Programs with College Credit Options

• Advanced Placement: 18 weighted grade courses
• Honors: 11 weighted grade courses
• Front Range Community College: Eight courses

Co-Curricular Activities

Girls Who Code, MESA Club, National Honor Society, Newspaper, Student Government, Yearbook, and elective courses such as Computer Programming, Multimedia, Music Technology and Studio Art

Visual and Performing Arts

Music: Choir, Color Guard, Concert Band, Guitar, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Music Technology, Orchestra, Percussion and Small Ensemble

Art: Animation, Ceramics, Computer Graphics, Digital Photography, Drawing, Jewelry, Multimedia, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, Studio Art and Web Design

Theater and Dance: Annual theater and musical productions and competitive dance teams perform in a state-of-the-art auditorium

Athletics for Character, Discipline and Collegiality

Baseball, basketball, cheer, cross country, football, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball and wrestling

Highlights

• Rigorous academics offered while maintaining strong interpersonal relationships among students and staff with a school culture and programming dedicated to partnerships and student well-being
• Students can earn high school credit and up to 53 transferable college credits from CU Denver – in addition to AP courses and courses through FRCC
• A STEM program featuring Interactive Media and Information Technology with threads of study including Java Programming, Video Production, Digital Art, Graphic Design and Music Technology
• Students participate in an advisory program, allowing time to plan and prepare for postsecondary opportunities, connect with teachers weekly and prepare an Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP)
• An expanding Biomedical Science program designed to prepare students for various college and career pathways in the growing biomedical field through partnerships with CSU, the Innovation Center and local industry professionals – a Pathways in Technology Early College High School program is being developed
• Sources of Strength curriculum to enhance climate and culture by promoting the strengths of each individual student
• Over 80% of students participate in arts, activities and/or athletics.
• Home to the district’s most modern, LEED certified, high school

College Prep Programs with College Credit Options

• Advanced Placement: 15 weighted grade courses
• CU Succeed Silver and Gold Programs: 16 college credit courses
• Honors: Eight weighted grade courses
• Front Range Post-Secondary College Credit Transfer: four courses

Co-Curricular Activities

MESA Club, National Honor Society, Student Government, Yearbook, and elective courses such as Computer Programming, Multimedia, Music Technology and Studio Art

Visual and Performing Arts

Music: Advanced Jazz Band, AP Music Theory, Choir, Concert Choir, Color Guard, Guitar, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Music Technology, Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, Piano and Symphonic Band

Art: Advanced Drawing and Painting, Digital Photography, Drama, Graphic Design, Jewelry, Multimedia, Sculpture, Stage Tech and Video Production

Theater and Dance: Annual fall musical, two plays in the spring and an evening of one-acts, directed by seniors in May

Athletics for Character, Discipline and Collegiality

Baseball, basketball, cheer, cross country, dance, football, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track, volleyball and wrestling

Highlights

• One of the state’s largest selections of AP and CU Succeed Gold courses
• Medical and BioScience Academy (MBSA)
• STEM education through engineering and computer science.
• High School of Business (HSB) Pathway Program
• Active partnerships with University of Colorado Denver, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University and the University of Northern Colorado
• 75 percent student participation in co-curricular activities
• Over 60 percent of Longmont High students are enrolled in AP, Honors and MBSA coursework
• Longmont High School Foundation and alumni award $200,000 in scholarships exclusively to Longmont High graduates each year
• Longmont High School has produced 69 National Merit Scholars and 16 Boettcher Scholars

College Prep Programs with College Credit Options

• Advanced Placement: 23 weighted grade courses
• CU Succeed Gold Program: 11 weighted grade courses
• Honors: 17 weighted grade courses
• MBSA: Guaranteed acceptance agreement with University of Colorado Denver and Colorado State University; partnering with Longmont United Hospital
• HSB: Earn college credits through University of Northern Colorado’s Monfort College of Business

Co-Curricular Activities

Leadership Forum, MESA Club, National Honor Society, Student Council, Yearbook, Forensics, Chinese, French, Spanish, Computer Programming, Video Production, Web Design and Robotics

Visual and Performing Arts

Music: Acoustic Guitar, Advanced Jazz Band, AP Music Theory, Band, Bel Canto, Advanced Women’s Choir, Chamber Singers, Color Guard, History of Rock and Roll, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Mariachi, Men and Women’s Choir, Music Technology, Orchestra, Orpheus - Advanced Men’s Choir, Percussion, Steel Drums, String Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra

Art: Animation, AP Studio Art, Ceramics, Computer Graphics, Digital Photography, Drawing, Jewelry, Painting and Sculpture

Theater and Dance: Three major theater productions annually

Athletics for Character, Discipline and Collegiality

Baseball, basketball, cheer, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball and wrestling

Highlights

• College coursework offered through a Colorado State University online partnership; concurrent enrollment options available with University of Colorado and Front Range Community College
• Scored in the top eight percent of all high schools on state testing scores in Colorado
• Rated as a top high school in 2017 according to U.S. News and World Report
• Outstanding athletics, band, choir and drama programs have received numerous state and district recognitions
• Approximately 88 percent of Lyons Senior High students participate in band, choir, drama and/or athletics
• Students are highly engaged, enthusiastic and positive
• Supportive community culture and school environment
• Over 90 percent of graduating seniors are accepted for and commit to two and/or four year college opportunities

College Prep Programs with College Credit Options

• CSU online partnership offering college credits
• Advanced Placement: Seven weighted grade courses
• Honors: Four weighted grade courses

Co-Curricular Activities

Mountain Bike Club, Chess Club, National Honor Society, Student Government, Yearbook, and elective courses such as Technology, Robotics, Music Technology and Studio Art

Visual and Performing Arts

Music: Concert Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Mixed Choir, Show Choir, Guitar and Music Technology

Art: Computer Graphics, Drawing, Painting, Sculpture and Video Technology

Drama: Annual full-length theatrical production; bi-annual full-length musical production

Athletics for Character, Discipline and Collegiality

Baseball, basketball, cheer, cross country, football, softball, track, wrestling and volleyball

Highlights

• Home to St. Vrain’s Energy Academy, a unique program devoted to the principles of energy, in partnership with energy professionals, that prepares students for college studies, technical education, certification programs and the workforce
• Mead offers the AP Capstone™ diploma, along with 22 AP course offerings. This diploma designation signifies outstanding academic achievement and attainment of college-level academic and research skills.
• Highly educated, experienced and student-centered faculty - 86 percent of teaching staff has a master’s degree
• Over 75 percent of student body actively participate in co-curricular activities. Rich art, music and fine arts programs, along with state competitive athletic programs.
• Engaged, positive and civic-minded student body with strong ties to the local community
• Students honored with Boettcher Scholarships and National Merit Scholarship Awards
• Opened in 2009, Mead is a growing school community with a state-of-the-art campus

College Prep Programs with College Credit Options

• Advanced Placement (AP): 22 weighted courses
• Honors: 13 courses
• Concurrent Enrollment: Opportunities with Front Range and Aims Community College, AP Seminar and AP Research

Co-Curricular Activities

Debate, Drama Club, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, Film Club, French Club, Future Business Leaders of America, International Thespian Society, Interact, MESA, Multicultural Club, National Honor Society, Posse Mentoring Club, Robotics, Student Council, Unified Sports, Newspaper and Yearbook

Visual and Performing Arts

Music: AP Music Theory, A Capella/Jazz Choir, Chamber Singers, Concert Band, Guitar, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Men’s Choir, Music Technology, Orchestra, Percussion Ensemble, String Orchestra, Symphonic Band and Women’s Choir

Art: AP Studio Art, Ceramics, Digital Photography, Drawing, Multimedia, Painting, Sculpture and Web Design

Theater and Dance: Drama, Stage Technology, two annual full-length theatrical productions and a bi-annual full-length musical production

Athletics for Character, Discipline and Collegiality

Baseball, basketball, cheer, cross country, dance, football, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, volleyball and wrestling

Highlights

• Nearly 40 percent of student population enrolled in IB or Pre-IB programs
• Roughly 20 percent of student population enrolled in an Advance Placement (AP) class
• On five AP tests, the average student score was 4 plus
• 2017 top-ranked public high school in Washington Post’s annual ranking of “America’s Most Challenging Schools”
• Over 85 percent of graduates attend a college or university
• Niwot High most recently had seven National Merit Semifinalists
• Average ACT score of 24 compared to the state average 20.6
• Since 2000, Niwot High has won 11 athletic team state championships
• Girls’ track and field has won the state championships three out of the last four years
• Performing arts groups have performed on Broadway and at Disneyland and Disney World
• Computer Science and Engineering Pathways - Project Lead the Way courses include Intro Programming, Intro App Development, AP Computer Science and Intro Engineering

College Prep Programs with College Credit Options

• International Baccalaureate: 21 weighted grade courses
• Advanced Placement: 15 weighted grade courses
• Honors/Niwot Pre IB: eight weighted grade courses

Co-Curricular Activities

Coding Club, Film and Photography Club, National Honor Society, Student Government, Wellness Club, Yearbook, and elective courses such as Music Technology, Multimedia, Computer Programming and Studio Art

Visual and Performing Arts

Music: Chamber Singers, Color Guard, Concert Choir, Evenstar, Guitar, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Music Theory, Sedalia, String Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Symphonic Orchestra and Treble Choir

Art: Animation, Ceramics, Drawing, Digital Photography, Jewelry, Painting and Sculpture

Theater and Dance: Annual productions in upgraded auditorium

Computer Science and Engineering Pathways (Project Lead the Way)

Intro Programming, Intro App Development, AP Computer Science and Intro Engineering Project Lead the Way

Athletics for Character, Discipline and Collegiality

Baseball, basketball, cheer, cross country, dance, football, golf, gymnastics, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball and wrestling

Highlights

• For over 20 years, Olde Columbine High School has been an excellent alternative high school within St. Vrain Valley Schools
• Olde Columbine offers a St. Vrain Valley Schools high school diploma with the same graduation requirements in a small, community-oriented environment
• Diversity and creativity are welcomed and honored

Special Programming

• The Discovery Program serves as the foundation of school culture and is utilized to develop a strong sense of community and a support system for all. The program teaches positive social skills, behavior management strategies, culture development and experiential activities.
• Work study, e-credit and shifting to a block schedule allows students to earn credit at an accelerated pace in order to make up lost credits
• Alternative Cooperative Education is a career and technical education program that is designed to build general employment skills
• The Teen Parenting Program offers specialized classes for teen parents and expecting teens, while providing students the opportunity to use a campus nursery that cares for infants and toddlers up to 18 months of age
• Being in the same building allows OCHS students direct access to all of the career and technical programs offered at the Career Development Center

Life Skills, Fun and Social Interaction

• Career, Volunteer and Diversity Day events; team-building ropes courses
• Governance, a bi-monthly meeting conducted by students, provides the opportunity to experience the democratic process and to have a voice
• Expanded exploration of post-secondary opportunities and development of Individual Career and Academic Plans (ICAP) through the Advisory program

Highlights

• Approximately 80 percent of graduates attend a two-year or four-year college/university
• Student honors include: Gates Millennium Scholars, Boettcher Scholars and National Merit Scholarships; appointments to the armed forces academies
• College and Career Center to assist students and families in their transition after high school, including Naviance resources
• Project Unify in collaboration with Special Olympics
• All-state musicians, vocalists and three annual theatrical performances
• Expanding curricular opportunities in science, business, entrepreneurship and computer science

College Prep Programs with College Credit Options

• Advanced Placement: 21 weighted grade courses
• Honors courses are offered throughout 9th and 10th grade
• Silver Creek Leadership Academy: A four-year program emphasizing leadership through service, academic rigor, enhanced experience in technology and information literacy, real-world learning opportunities and personal growth

Co-Curricular Activities

Art Club, Big Brass Band, Fiddle Group, Math Club, Raptor Leadership Club, Raptor Magazine, Student Government, Yearbook, National Honor Society and many more

Visual and Performing Arts

Music: Advanced Jazz Band, Bella Voce, Chamber Choir, Color Guard, Concert Band, Concert Choir, Guitar, Jazz Band, Marching Band, Orchestra, Percussion, Symphonic Orchestra and Women’s Ensemble

Art: 2D & 3D Design, Advanced Drawing, Advanced Painting, AP 2D Studio Art, Ceramics I and II, Crafts, Digital Photography, Drawing, Painting, Photo I, Studio Art and Studio Photo

Digital Literacy: AP Computer Science Principles, App Development, Computer Science, Intro to Computing, Intro to Programming, Music Tech, Video Production and Website Design

Athletics for Character, Discipline and Collegiality

Baseball, basketball, cheer, track, cross country, dance, football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, volleyball and wrestling

Highlights

• Enrichment classes and curriculum resources in a K-12 environment to support parents who choose to be their student’s primary educator Students attend one full day per week for seven hours
• Highly qualified licensed teachers who are passionate about supporting homeschooling and bringing students the best of both worlds
• Small class sizes with multi-grade ranges
• High school counselor available for college guidance
• Curriculum library with hundreds of resources parents can check out for home use, most at no cost Courses in academic disciplines including science, math, social studies, language arts, foreign language, STEM, art, music and theater
• STEM courses in graphic design, computer technology, programming and engineering
• Access to ITBS, PSAT and SAT testing and test prep courses
• Parents remain the student’s primary educator and are responsible to set the course scope and sequence, graduation requirements and present the student’s diploma upon graduation. Students do not graduate or receive a diploma from St. Vrain or APEX

College Prep Programs with College Credit Options

• Concurrent Enrollment: Front Range Community College; Dual Credit
• Career Development Center: Technical and vocational education

Co-Curricular Activities

MESA Club, National Honor Society, Student Government, Yearbook, and elective courses such as Computer Programming, Multimedia, Music Technology and Studio Art

Visual and Performing Arts

Music: Choir, Orchestra and classes in beginning through advanced Guitar

Art: 2D and 3D Art, Graphic Design, Photography and participation in the district art show

Theater and Dance: Four musical productions each year, technical theater and film making classes. Received several awards from the National Youth Arts, Rocky Mountain Region for production of Lion King Jr. Collaboration with Longmont Dance Theater Academy’s PBIP Program to support high-level dance students.

Athletics for Character, Discipline and Collegiality

APEX students can participate in sports at their local St. Vrain high school to develop sportsmanship, fitness and skills.

Highlights

• Home of St. Vrain’s STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and VPA (visual and performing arts) academies with nearly 400 accepted students
• Falcon Tech is a Pathways in Technology Early College High School or P-TECH school. Students graduate in four to six years with a high school diploma from St. Vrain Valley Schools and an Associate of Applied Science degree from Front Range Community College. Students also receive mentorships and internships from IBM and are sought after during job interviews with IBM upon graduation. The AAS degree is at no cost to the students.
• University of Colorado College of Engineering guaranteed admissions agreement for qualified STEM graduates
• Strong business partnerships throughout the community provide resources, expertise and opportunities for students
• Race to The Top Grant recipient which includes access to the Innovation Center where students can work on research and development projects that will prepare them for future careers in STEM
• Skyline offers three world languages including Chinese, French and Spanish

College Prep Programs with College Credit Options

• Advanced Placement: 24 weighted grade courses and AP Capstone
• All core area course offerings can be taken at the honors level.
• Front Range Community College concurrent enrollment available
• P-TECH: Earn a tuition-free Associate of Applied Science degree after completion of a high school diploma; includes significant internship and mentorship programs

Co-Curricular Activities

Art Club, Computer Club, Newspaper, National Art Honor Society, Yearbook, National Honor Society, Peer Tutoring, Robotics Club, Student Council, and elective courses such as Business and Accounting, Computer Programming, Instrumental Music, Musical Theater, Music Theory, Studio Art and Vocal Music

Visual and Performing Arts

Music: Bel Canto Choir, Concert Band, Falconnaires, Guitar, Jazz Band, Jazz Choir, Men’s Choir, Mixed Choir, Music Technology, Orchestra, Percussion, and Piano and Composition

Art: AP Studio Art, Ceramics, Computer Graphics, Drawing, Graphic Design II, Jewelry, Painting, Photography, Sculpture and Video Production

Theater and Dance: Beginning and advanced courses in Stage Technology, Dance and Drama

Athletics for Character, Discipline and Collegiality

Baseball, basketball, cheer, cross country, dance, football, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track, volleyball and wrestling

Highlights

• Rigorous academics with a robust offering of Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors courses, world languages, advanced science and math, liberal arts, visual and performing arts, physical education and technology
• Build strength in character through our Six Pillars of Character: Responsibility, Respect, Trustworthiness, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship
• Challenges students to understand and apply knowledge to identify solutions and become responsible leaders
• Classical education founded on the “tried and true” methods of teaching
• State-of-the-art campus with technological resources, expanding athletics and new nine-acre outdoor multi-sport complex
• Five-time winner of Colorado Department of Education’s John Irwin School of Excellence Award
• College representatives from over 40 schools visit annually plus scheduled junior year college field trips
• Founded by parents in 1997, Twin Peaks Charter Academy is a parent-governed, parent-involved charter school with a dedicated and caring faculty
• Small school atmosphere with an emphasis on community
• Proud member of CHSAA and the Mile High League

College Prep Programs with College Credit Options

• Advanced Placement: 14 weighted grade courses
• Honors: 8 weighted grade courses

Co-Curricular Activities

Chess Club, Fencing, Geography Bee, History Day, National Honor Society, Speech and Debate, Student Government, Service Learning Projects, Spelling Bee, Robotics, Running Club, Theater and Yearbook

Visual and Performing Arts

Music: Choir, Jazz Band and Symphonic Band

Art: Digital art, drawing, painting and sculpture

Theater and Dance: Beginning and advanced theater classes, annual full-length musical and drama productions

Athletics for Character, Discipline and Collegiality

Basketball, cross country, lacrosse, track and field, and volleyball

Highlights

• St. Vrain Online Global Academy (SVOGA) offers students a regular high school diploma in a virtual setting
• Graduates have been accepted to and attend four-year universities throughout the country including Ivy League schools
• Academic success is achieved utilizing high-quality instruction and curriculum provided by FLVS Global School
• 24/7, 365 days per year accessibility to courses and teachers
• Course scheduling flexibility and individualized instruction
• Blended classroom environment for both Algebra 1 and Geometry
• PSAT and SAT weekly classes
• Dave Ramsey’s Foundations in Personal Finance and Mawi Asgedom’s Leadership Skills Development course offerings
• Computer Science and Technology programming offered including Introduction to Information Technology, Computer Programming and Web Design
• Curriculum meets all St. Vrain Valley Schools’ graduation requirements
• Offers four world languages including Chinese I, II and III, French I and II, Latin I, II and III, and Spanish I, II and III

College Prep Programs with College Credit Options

• Advanced Placement: 15 weighted grade courses
• Honors: 10 weighted grade courses
• Concurrent Enrollment: Opportunities with Front Range Community College and University of Colorado Boulder

Co-Curricular Activities

Beta Sigma Delta Math Club, Book Club, Chess Club, Creative Writing, Fine Arts, History Club, International Club, Latin Club, Model UN, National English Honor Society, National Honor Society, Newspaper, Peer Tutors, Science Club, Science Honor Society, Spanish Nuts at Practice, Speech and Debate, STEM Club, Student Ambassadors, Technology Club, Video Production, Virtual Science Fair and Yearbook. All co-curricular activities at their school of residence.

Visual and Performing Arts

Music: Guitar, Music of the World, and additional opportunities available at a student’s school of residence

Art: Art History and Criticism, Creative Photography and additional opportunities available at a student’s school of residence

Theater and Dance: Theater, cinema film production and additional opportunities available at a student’s school of residence

Athletics for Character, Discipline and Collegiality

Students may participate in athletics at their school of residence provided they meet CHSAA eligibility.

Highlights

The Career Development Center (CDC) provides students with nine career pathway opportunities. We provide quality educational programs aligned with St. Vrain’s graduation requirements, as well as postsecondary and workforce readiness competencies. Students gain valuable technical skills as well as a seamless transition to further education or employment through concurrent enrollment and or industry certifications.

In addition to concurrent enrollment (dual college and high school credit) offered in some programs, students attending the CDC have the opportunity to participate in authentic work experiences such as project-based learning, job shadowing, clinical experiences or a capstone internship with local business and industry.

Any high school student (some programs do not accept ninth-grade students) from St. Vrain Valley Schools may attend the CDC. Transportation is provided to and from each home high school and CDC.

Programs with Concurrent Enrollment Options

• Automotive
• Health Sciences
• Interactive Media
• ProStart (Culinary)
• Welding

Available Programs

• Agriscience
• Automotive Technology
• Engineering Technology and Machining
• Health Sciences (Certified Nursing Assistant, Dental Assistant and Sports Medicine)
• Horticulture (Greenhouse Management)
• Interactive Media
• Welding and Fabrication

High School of Business™ is designed much like a college business administration program. Offered at Longmont High School, students take approximately one course per semester, beginning with Principles of Business. The program continues with courses in various business functions concluding with an internship and a capstone course. In the capstone course, Business Strategies, students use what they have learned from the first five courses to open and run their own business. In addition, students can earn six credit hours from the University of Coloardo Denver and three credit hours from University of Northern Colorado.

The College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) Program is a nationally recognized academic program designed to provide motivated high school students with weighted, dual-credit college-level courses. Students will build study skills for a successful college experience. AP courses give students the opportunity to earn college credit, save on tuition and to graduate college in less than four years. AP courses are available at all high schools.

Available at all high schools, the Concurrent Enrollment Program provides an opportunity for juniors and seniors to earn both high school and college credit. This option is available to students who have completed a minimum of 11.5 credits toward graduation.

St. Vrain offers college courses through the University of Colorado’s CU Succeed Gold and Silver Programs. The programs provide students the opportunity to take college courses during high school hours while simultaneously earning college credits through the University of Colorado at Denver. Students take a qualifying course at a weighted grade and earn college credit at a fraction of the cost of most university courses. The CU Succeed Gold and Silver courses help position students for academic scholarships.

The IB Diploma Programme at Niwot High School is an internationally recognized, comprehensive curriculum that leads to a high school diploma and a prestigious IB diploma. Selective and competitive colleges and universities around the world recognize the IB Diploma. IB course grades are weighted and when the program is successfully completed, the student earns between 24 and 40 college credit hours. IB graduates are guaranteed admission to all Colorado state colleges and universities. Students who graduate with an IB Diploma begin their college careers as sophomores and are positioned for academic scholarships.

Honors courses prepare students for the rigor of Advanced Placement courses by introducing the writing and critical thinking skills necessary for advanced coursework. Honors courses are available at all high schools, open to freshmen and sophomores and receive a weighted grade.

P-TECH is a new model of education connecting high school, college and the world of work through college and industry partnerships. Offered at Skyline High, it is a model that allows students to earn a high school diploma as well as an Associate of Applied Science degree in Computer Information Systems from Front Range Community College at no cost to the student. Included with this program are significant internship and mentorship opportunities with IBM and other industry partners giving students a head start on the other side of completing the program. Students begin in ninth grade for a program that can be completed in four to six years.

Erie High School is embarking into a new era of taking academic excellence to the next level through its new Engineering Focus Program. Students will be able enroll in exciting classes which introduce the concepts of engineering design, automation, computer science and software design over their four years of high school. Students who complete three years of study prior to their senior year will enroll in a research and seminar capstone project which lasts the whole final year of high school. Their research is around an open-ended "real-life" problem which needs solving. Their presentations are judged by engineers from our school's industry partners.

DNA analysis, indentification of disease biomarkers, hands-on anatomy study...these are just a few of the specialized experiences now available to students enrolled in the Biomedical Sciences program at Frederick High School. Developed through Project Lead the Way (PLTW), this new program gives students a chance to lead their own experience through specialized course-work and real-world applications that prepare students for the rigors of advanced university study and STEM careers.

This fall, the 4-year program launched with 18 freshman students admited after a rigourous application process. In addition to qualifying grades, attendence records, and teacher recommendations, students must also write an "innovation-task" essay in which they identify a medical problem and propose a solution.

The Mead Energy Academy is a unique program that offers a secondary public education devoted to the principles of energy. The program will require core courses of all students while offering a choice between academic college-bound course work and practical workforce-ready course work.

Cross-curricular courses in math, science, social studies, language arts, business and more will be taught to support our energy focus. The program will prepare students for college studies, technical education, certification programs and the workforce.

SCLA creates leaders from the ground up. We're committed to creating rock-solid students that will make excellent university students and, in turn, will become future leaders prepared for anything the world can throw at them. Students acquire 21st century skills in a balanced curriculum that's both practical and specific, including:

• Citizenship
• Critical Thinking
• Real-world Problem Solving
• Communication Skills
• Information Literacy
• Collaboration Methods and Expertise
• Self-direction and Independent Thinking Skills
• Innovation

The Medical and BioScience Academy (MBSA) of Longmont High School is designed for students interested in careers or post-secondary education rooted in the health sciences.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, industries surrounding the health sciences (including biotechnology, medical studies, and other related fields) are expected to experience a tremendous amount of growth over the next 10 to 20 years. MBSA students are primed to take advantage of this opportunity.

The MBSA provides rigorous college-preparatory curricula and instruction that prepares students for highly competitive admissions, and post-secondary education programs in medicine, research, and allied health sciences.

The mission of the Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics (STEM) Academy at Skyline High School is to help students realize their potential for success in STEM careers by supporting their exploration of STEM related fields, by encouraging the development of 21st-Century skills, and by providing them with a head start in pursuing their post-secondary education.

Skyline High School STEM courses are designed so that students have the opportunity to develop multi-cultural relationships within teams to collaboratively solve problems and to develop leadership skills. Hence, the courses not only improve the academic component of the students’ lives but also provide valuable life lessons that can be applied to solve tomorrow’s problems in the real world.

The Skyline High School STEM Academy has a unique partnership with the University of Colorado’s College of Engineering. Graduate students from this program work directly with Skyline High School faculty in course development and instruction geared towards producing tomorrow’s problem solvers. High performing students graduating from the Skyline High School STEM Academy have the ability to earn guaranteed admission into the University of Colorado’s College of Engineering.

The Visual and Performing Arts Academy at Skyline High School is the only 9-12 arts academy in the St. Vrain Valley School District. As the designated VPA school, Skyline is able to offer a wide variety of courses in the visual arts, theater, dance, and music. Some of these unique course offerings include Voice Performance, Stage Technology, advanced Dance and Drama courses, AP and non-AP music Theory, Music Technology, Digital Animation, and Video Production.

In addition to these unique course offerings, students in the academy are given unique artistic opportunities such as attending special VPA events, collaborating with local artists and performers, on site internship opportunities, and creating a senior design project specific to their focus area. All students who complete the program requirements by the end of their senior year earn a VPA certificate upon graduation.

The mission of the Visual and Performing Arts Academy (VPA) at Skyline High School is to provide a rigorous, comprehensive, and technology-infused arts program that will prepare our students for postsecondary education, careers, or other creative fields, and instill a life-long appreciation for the arts.