1
Ultimate Resource Guide
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Table of Contents:
BKD’s Recommended High School Fact Sheet …….……… Pg 3
BKD’s Recommended High School List …………..…….. Pgs 4-8
8th Grade HS Application Timeline ……………….…….…… Pg 9
2014/2015 High School Deadlines ……....…...….….. Pgs 10-12
Required HS Classes for College Eligibility ……….... Pg 13
Recommended HS Classes for College Eligibility …… Pg 13
Useful Websites ………………………….……………………. Pg 14
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Recommended High School Fact Sheet
Schools
School Type
Facts
Denver East (Accelerated
Tract), CEC Middle College of
Denver, Denver Center for
International Studies HS, Denver
School of the Arts, Denver
School of Science
& Technology, Denver Collegiate
HS, STRIVE Prep
SPECIALIZED
PUBLIC/CHARTER
- Free for all students
- Variety of choice
according to interest, size
and location
- Most of these schools
offer a rigorous college-prep
curriculum
George Washington High School,
Lakewood High School, John F
Kennedy High School (Middle
Years Program)
INTERNATIONAL
BACCALAUREATE (IB)/
MAGNET
- Free for all students
- These schools offer a
rigorous college-prep
curriculum and rigorous AP
classes
Colorado Academy, Kent
Denver School, St. Mary’s
Academy (all girls school)
INDEPENDENT
DAY
- Small classes, lots of
personal attention
- Top-notch facilities for
academics, sports and arts
- All Schools offer a
rigorous college-prep
curriculum
- Excellent college
guidance—with few
4
exceptions, all students
attend nationally recognized
4-year colleges
-Tuition charging (with
financial aid available)
Fountain Valley
(Colorado Springs), Deerfield
Academy, Hotchkiss School,
Cate School, Phillips Exeter
Academy, Cranbrook Schools,
Choate Rosemary Hall
INDEPENDENT
BOARING
Arrupe Jesuit HS, Bishop
Machebeuf, Denver
Christian, Faith Christian,
Holy Family, J.K. Mullen,
Regis Jesuit HS
PAROCHIAL
- Students live on their
school campuses
- Greater opportunities for
admission/ financial aid
than day schools
- Most are situated on large,
beautiful campuses
- Similar benefits to those of
an independent day school
- Most schools offer a
college-prep curriculum
- Selective schools offer
rigorous classes, including
AP classes
- Less expensive than
independent day schools
Recommended High School List
School
Recommend
School
Type
Rationale/Stats
Denver Center for International
Studies HS
Recommend
Magnet
George Washington High
School (IB Program)
Recommend
Magnet
Denver School of the Arts
Recommend
Magnet
CEC Middle College of Denver
Recommend
Magnet
2013: 89% Graduation Rate, 90.7% Overall
Completion Rate. Currently offer 10 AP classes
and 6 different language tracks. [The last
three years of graduation rates are: 2012:
87%, 2011: 90% & 2010: 92.5% Graduation
Rate. Mean ACT score of 23.1. “Ranked as one
of the 200 ‘best high schools in America’ by the
USA News and World Report.”]
2013: 81.1% Graduation Rate. This number is
effected by the IB program, thus, the general
course work at George Washington is lower.
[2011: 82.3% Graduation Rate (as a whole),
which is a slight increase from 2010: 80.9%
Graduation Rate.]
2013: 97.5% Graduation Rate, 98% Overall
Completion Rate. DSA offers 11 different Art
tracks [The last three years of graduation rates
are: 2012: 97%, 2011: 97.5%, 2010: 96.8%.
80% go to 4 year university. We currently have
at least one student enrolled at DSA.]
2013: 87% Graduation Rate, 87% Overall
5
East High School (Accelerated
tract)
Recommend
Public
George Washington High
School (Accelerated Tract/IB
Program)
Recommend
Public
Bruce Randolph HS
Recommend
Public
Lakewood High School (IB
Program)
Recommend
Public
Cherry Creek High School
Recommend
Public
Completion Rate. [The past three years of
graduation rates are: 2012: 84.4%, 2011:
80.4% & 2010: 85.7%. Graduation Rate. 2010:
100% of senior class accepted to college. Over
50% of 11th and 12th grade students are
taking college level classes]
2013: 93% Graduation Rate, 91.8% Overall
Completion rate. [The past three years of
graduation rates are: 2012: 89.6%, 2011,
87.6% & 2010: 80.7%. X-tract classes paired
with AP courses beginning Junior year is a
strong college prep option for our students.
Also, very supportive with AVID program. This
increase in graduation rates, paired with their
college prep focus and competitive athletic
presence in the state, allows East to maintain
a Tier 1 status.]
2013: 81.1% Graduation Rate. This number is
effected by the IB program, thus, the general
course work at George Washington is lower.
[2011: 82.3% Graduation Rate (as a whole),
which is a slight increase from 2010: 80.9%
Graduation Rate.]
2013: 91.4% Graduation Rate (92.47 Overall
Completion Rate). [Recent years of Bruce
Randolph's graduation rates have been: 2012:
85.11% & 2011: 87.1% of their second
graduating class. Bruce Randolph was
mentioned in President Barak Obama's speech
about notable public education programs in
2011.]
2013: 92.6% Graduation rate. 2012: 92.7%
Graduation Rate. They also have an IB
program that is very successful. This is a great
option for any of our students. [2011: 83.9%
Graduation Rate, which is a decrease from
2010: 88.3% Graduation Rate. 85% went on to
post secondary education-68% to four-year
colleges. ACT Mean: 99% tested- scored 23.7
SAT Mean: Reading: 646, Math 647, Writing
639] To attend this school, you must be in
Lakewood’s school district.
2013: 92.4% Graduation Rate. 2012: 91.4%
Graduation Rate. [2011: 88.8% Graduation
Rate, which is a slight decrease since 2010:
86.7% Graduation Rate. We have a couple
students who will attend Cherry Creek this
year.]
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Martin Luther King Jr. Early
College
Recommend
Public
Grandview High School
Recommend
Public
Legacy High School
Recommend
Public
St Mary's Academy
Recommend
Independent
Kent Denver School
Recommend
Independent
Colorado Academy
Recommend
Independent
Denver School of Science and
Technology: Stapleton
Recommend
Charter
Arrupe Jesuit High School
Recommend
Parochial
2013: 83.8% Graduation Rate. A decrease
from 2011. [The last three years of graduation
rates: 2012: 86.21%, 2011: 91.5%, 2010:
89.6%]
MLK Early College is making strides to change
their previously poorly perceived reputation.
2013: 91.2 Graduation Rate. 2012: 91.7%
Graduation Rate. [2011: 91% Graduation Rate,
which is an increase since 2010: 87.3%
Graduation Rate.]
2013: 91% Graduation Rate, which is a slight
increase from 2012: 90.1% [2011: 88.2%
Graduation Rate, which is a slight increase
from 2010: 85.8% Graduation Rate. 79
students attending in state college/university
in state.]
100% SMA students attend college. Has
HIGHEST student diversity rate of any
Independent Colorado school - 30%. 80% of
2010 class received merit scholarships. Strong
college counseling program. The Class of 2010
earned more than $6.86 million in college
scholarships. Students can select upper level
courses including more than 10 AP classes.
2013: 100% Graduation Rate > 176 students
took 359 AP exams in 16 areas in 2013. 82% of
AP test scores were 3 or higher. Average SAT
scores for Class of 2013: Critical Reading: 613,
Math: 637, Writing: 629. ACT Composite: 27.6.
More than 22% of student body receives $2.2
million in need-based Fin. Aid. Avg. fin aid
award more than $14,000.
100% CA graduates attended 4 year college.
Classes 2009-2011 the mean ACT score is 27.4,
SAT critical reading was 618, Math 614.
2013: 87% Graduation Rate, 86% Overall
Completion Rate. 100% of seniors went on to
4-year college. DSST: Green Valley Ranch High
School had the highest growth scores of any
Denver Public School this past year, posting
median growth percentile scores of 98 in
mathematics, 77 in reading, and 77 in writing.
These scores make it the second highest
growth school in the state of Colorado. [The
past three years of graduation rates are: 2012:
79%, 2011: 80% & 80.7% in 2010.]
All 67 members of the Class of 2014 were
accepted to at least one college or university
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Regis Jesuit High School
Recommend
Parochial
Mullen
Recommend
Parochial
Denver Christian
Recommend
Parochial
Bishop Machebeuf
Recommend
Parochial
Horizon High School
Recommend
Public
Manual HS
Recommend with
Reservation
Public
of their choice, with 94% being accepted to a
four-year institution. Since 2003, 100% of
seniors have graduated. Arrupe charges the
lowest tuition of any private high school in
Denver and is the only school able to fund
100% of families’ assessed financial need.
2013 SAT Math mean - 592, Writing mean 555 ACT mean - 26.0. 2012: 98% graduates
went on to 4-year colleges. [It is possible for
academically qualified students at Regis Jesuit
to take college credit courses at the high
school and earn up to 36 semester hours of
college credit from Regis University or through
the Advancement Placement testing program.]
2014: 98% of students went on to attend 4year colleges. In 2014, 89% of AP tests
resulted in scores of 3, 4, or 5. The ACT mean
was 24.0. [2011: 98% attended four-year
institutions, offers many Honors & AP courses
and requires 70 hours of community service
throughout tenure at Mullen. 2011 ACT mean
24, 2011 SAT mean 1,115 (1600)]
2013: Avg. ACT scores: English - 24.1, Math 24.7, Reading - 24.8, 23.7 (All well above
National and state avgs) ["A long-held
reputation for academic excellence which
translates into top achievement on
standardized tests including the ACT and SAT.
More than 90% of high school graduates
successfully go on to college. Our academic
program includes several honors courses and
AP tests are offered in selected courses as
well”]
2013: 100% Graduation Rate. “For the last 4
years, 100% of seniors graduated, applied to
and gained admission to attend
colleges/universities worldwide”. 55%
students enrolled in Honors or AP courses.
Name one of the top 50 HS in US in ’06, ’07,
’08 & ’12 by Cardinal Newman Society.
2013: 93% Graduation rate, which is a slight
increase from 2012: 90.8% [2011: 85.6%
Graduation Rate, which is a slight decrease
from 2010: 86.5% Graduation Rate.]
2013: 62.1% Graduation Rate - Significant
DECREASE since 2012: 75.58% Graduation
Rate. [2011: 68% Graduation Rate, which is
their first graduating class since they
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reconstructed their entire high school.]
East High School (General
Course Work)
Recommend with
Reservation
Public
John F. Kennedy (IB Program)
Recommend with
Reservation
Public/ Magnet
South
Recommend with
Reservation
Public
Montbello
Don’t
Recommend
Public
North
Don’t
Recommend
Public
Abraham Lincoln
Don’t
Recommend
Public
West
Don’t
Recommend
Public
General course work refers to regular classes,
without college prep emphasis. We
recommend students enroll in accelerated/AP
classes.
2013: 74.7% Graduation Rate, which is a slight
decrease from 2012: 78.5% Graduation Rate.
[2011: 77.4% Graduation Rate, which is slightly
up from 2010: 77% graduation rate (as a
whole)]
2013: 78% Graduation Rate [2012: 66.57%
Graduation Rate. 2011: 58.8% Graduation
Rate, which has decreased from 2010: 61.8%
Graduation Rate. Low percentages in
proficient and advanced categories. Also, has
an ESL tract that many BKD students are
attending. We have many students currently
attending South and their performance has
steadily increased in the past 3 years.]
2013: 61.1% Graduation Night [2012: 64.75%
Graduation Rate - slight increase from 2011:
60.1% Graduation Rate, which has slightly
increased from 2010: 56.2% Graduation rate.
Low percentages of Proficiency and advanced
on CSAP.]
2013: 56.6% Graduation Rate. [2012: 53.4%
Graduation Rate - Significant DECREASE since
2011: 64.8% Graduation Rate, which is slightly
up from 2010: 63.8% Graduation Rate. Low
percentages of Proficiency and advanced on
CSAP.]
2013: 64.75% Graduation Rate (65% Overall
Completion Rate) [The last three years of Grad
Rates for Lincoln has been: 2012: 66%, 2011:
63.5% & 2010's 51.7% graduation rate.
Lincoln, although low performing, has made
strides in these statistics in the last few years.
We do not however, recommend this school
for Breakthrough students.]
2013: 45.1% [2012: 62% Graduation Rate,
which is a significant increase from 2011: 53%
Graduation Rate, which is up slightly from
2010: 47.6% Graduation rate, but still
significantly lower than we want for our
students.] This significant decrease (17%)
from last year is an even larger deterrant for
our students.
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George WashingtonGeneral
Course of Study)
Southwest Early College
Don’t
Recommend
Don’t
Recommend
Public
Charter
General course work refers to regular classes,
without college prep emphasis.
2013: 52.73% Graduation Rate. [2012: 31.75%
Graduation Rate. 2011: 41.8% Graduation
Rate, which is somewhat higher than 2010
Graduation Rate: 32.2%. Even through their
growth has been incremental over the past 3
years, these numbers are far too low to be
sending our students to. They must show vast
improvement in the next couple of years to be
ranked a tier 1 or tier 2 school.]
* Graduation Rate statistics were taken from http://co.chalkbeat.org/
8th Grade High School Application Timeline
Month
Action
July/August
Breakthrough Summer Program:
– Four High School Seminars (Filling out
Applications/Choice Form, Essay Writing,
Shadow Days/Interviews & Website Navigation)
September
- Begin looking at high school options Online
- Begin filling out HS Applications
- Some schools have Shadow Days
- Sign up for ISEE Test & begin studying
(Independent Schools only)
October
- Continue filling out HS Applications
- Participate in Shadow Days
- Begin getting Teacher Recommendation
Letters
10
November
- Open House/Info Nights at Schools
East – December 11th 9am – 10:30am
Colorado Academy - October 29th & October
30th 8:30-11:15
Kent Denver - September 27th, 10am – 12pm
St. Mary’s - November 8th
Arrupe Jesuit - October 26th, 10-2pm
- Some HS Applications are DUE
- ISEE Testing (Ind. Schools only)
- Some HS Applications are DUE
- Fill out Financial Aid Applications (if
necessary)
- Choice Form available (Dec. 16th)
- ISEE Testing (Ind. Schools only)
- Many HS Applications DUE
- Continue with Financial Aid Applications
- Choice Form DUE (Jan. 31st)
- ISEE Testing (Ind. Schools only)
- Financial Aid Applications DUE (Feb. 15th)
December
January
February
March/April
- High Schools make their decisions and notify
applicants
2014-15 High School Deadlines
(DSA) Denver School of the Arts – October 13th – November 21st
*Visitation Mornings:
November 3, November 7, November 14 and November 18
2014 (7:20am – 2:30pm) (signup available online starting in October)
*Shadow Days: October
1, 8, 15, 29
November 5, 12, 19
*Mandatory Pre-audition meetings: December
1, 2, 3, 4, 8th
January
*Acceptance Notifications in February
*Students MUST fill out a DPS choice form to apply to DSA. If serious about attending, put
*Auditions held throughout
DSA as your first choice.
http://dsa.dpsk12.org/admissions/
http://schoolchoice.dpsk12.org/how-to-enroll-in-a-school/
Denver EAST (Honors-Track/AP) – January 31st
* Must fill out SCHOOL CHOICE FORM to apply (put EAST as 1st Choice)
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- Student must get 1st round Choice application beginning December
school & submit before January
16th online or at
31st
- Choicing is Lottery based.
- 2nd round choicing is First-come-first-serve basis and begins in March
* Open House – December 11th 9am – 10:30am
* The waitlist for East is usually around 200 students each year.
http://eastangels.org/
http://schoolchoice.dpsk12.org/how-to-enroll-in-a-school/
(DSST) Denver School of Science & Technology - January 31st
* Must fill out SCHOOL CHOICE FORM to apply (put DSST as 1st Choice)
* There are three high schools currently, Green Valley Ranch, Cole and Stapleton
http://dsstpublicschools.org/enrollment/
KIPP Denver Collegiate HS - January 31st
* Must fill out SCHOOL CHOICE FORM to apply (put KIPP as 1st Choice)
* There are two high schools currently, KIPP Denver Collegiate HS and KIPP Montbello College
Prep
http://www.kippcolorado.org/students/enrollment
(DCIS) Denver Center for International Studies – January 31st
* Must fill out SCHOOL CHOICE FORM to apply (put DCIS as 1st Choice)
http://cisdenver.org/
(GW) George Washington (IB Program) – January 31st
* Must fill out SCHOOL CHOICE FORM to apply (put GW as 1st Choice)
* As of this year, there will NOT be a separate application process for the IB program. Students
will choice in via the School Choice Form and based on a strong record of academic performance
in middle school (along with other indicators) will be streamlined into the program.
http://www.georgeib.com/admissions.html
Lakewood HS (IB Program) - October 8th & 9th
* Parent Information Nights - October
8th & 9th 6pm
* Must also schedule a shadow day
* Student’s family must live in JeffCo district, NOT DPS
http://lakewood-web.jeffco.k12.co.us/lakewood/html/index.html
(JFK) John F Kennedy (IB Program) – January 31st
* Must fill out SCHOOL CHOICE FORM to apply (put JFK as 1st Choice)
* Additional Application required for Middle Years Program Honors Tract
- Once you are enrolled in the MYP Honors classes as a Freshman at JFK, you can apply
to be in the IB Program in your Sophomore year.
http://jfk.dpsk12.org/
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(CA) Colorado Academy – December 15th (Online)
* Students must schedule a school visit before Application Deadline to conduct interview
* Admission Parent Preview – October 29th & October 30th 8:30-11:15
* FINANCIAL AID application - HARD DEADLINE of February 15th
http://www.coloradoacademy.org/application
Kent Denver – January 31st
* Students must schedule a school visit before Application Deadline to conduct interview
* Open House – September 27th, 10am – 12pm
* FINANCIAL AID application - HARD DEADLINE of January 15th
http://www.kentdenver.org/AdmissionProcess?rc=0
St. Mary’s Academy (All Girls) – January 9th
* Begin accepting Applications – October 1st
* Begin High School Visits – September 9th
* High School Open House – November 8th
* Begin registration for MANDATORY High School Placement test – November 1st
* 8th grade girls info night – September 22nd, October 28th, Nov. 20th, Jan. 14th
* HS Placement Test – December 6th
http://www.smanet.org/index.php?/admissions/admission-events-and-deadlines/
Fountain Valley (CO Springs) (Boarding School) – February 1st
* Must arrange a campus visit before applying
* Visiting Day – October 13th 8am-2:30pm
* Must take the SSAT (Secondary School Admission Test) or ISEE before applying (visit
www.ssat.org)
* Financial Aid deadline - March
1st
http://www.fvs.edu/apply
CEC Middle College of Denver - December 7th
* Must fill out SCHOOL CHOICE FORM to apply (put CEC as 1st Choice)
* Need 3 Letters of recommendation along with application
http://www.dosomethingreal.com/resources/apply
Arrupe Jesuit – December 19th
7th 6-8pm (Regis University)
* Open House dates – October 26th (Arrupe – 10-2pm, Regis – 10-2pm, Mullen – 102pm, Holy Family – 10-2pm, Machebeuf – 9am-1pm) November 8th – St. Mary’s 10* Information Night – October
2pm
* Shadow Days – September
10th – December 5th
- This is highly recommended before applying
* High School Placement Test – December 6th 8:15am
http://www.arrupejesuit.com/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=224747&type=d&pREC_ID=
497607
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Bishop Machebeuf – December 3rd
* Financial Aid Application Deadline – February 1st
* High School Placement Test December
6th
October 26th
* Interviews – January 10th – January 24th
* Open House –
http://www.machebeuf.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=204428&type=d&pREC_ID=4
48331
Mullen – December 18th
26th 10am – 2pm
* Interviews from January 10th – January 24th
* High School Placement Test - December 6th
* Open House - October
http://www.mullenhigh.com/netcommunity/page.aspx?pid=1091
Regis Jesuit – December 10th
22nd
* Open House - November
10am-2pm
* High School Placement Test - December 6th
* Shadow days begin September
3rd
https://www.regisjesuit.com/page.aspx?pid=316
DPS (Lincoln, TJ, Kennedy, West, North, South, etc.) – January 31st
* CHOICING SYSTEM – Student must get 1st round Choice application beginning
December 16th online or at school & turn it in before January 31st
- Choicing is Lottery based
- 2nd round choicing is First-come-first-serve basis and begins in March
http://soco.dpsk12.org/
Minimal Curriculum for College Eligibility
(example)
9TH GRADE
10TH GRADE
11TH GRADE
12TH GRADE
ENGLISH
English
English
English
AP English
Language
MATH
Algebra I
Geometry
Algebra II/
Trigonometry
Pre-calculus/
AP Statistics
SCIENCE
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
HISTORY/
SOCIAL
STUDIES
Global/ World
History
FOREIGN
LANGUAGE
Spanish,
French, etc.
US History
Spanish,
French, etc.
Spanish,
French, etc.
Honors
14
OTHER
Visual Art
Computer
Science
Theatre
AP Economics/
Psychology
MOST RIGOROUS, COLLEGE-PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM
(RECOMMENDED)
(example)
9TH GRADE
10TH GRADE
11TH GRADE
12TH GRADE
ENGLISH
English
Honors
English
Honors
AP English
Language
AP English
Literature
MATH
Geometry
Algebra II
Pre-Calculus
AP Calculus
BC
SCIENCE
Biology
Honors
Chemistry
Honors
AP (Biology,
Chemistry,
Physics)
Anatomy &
Physiology/
Forensics
Ancient
Civilizations
Honors
AP US
History
AP European
History
Spanish,
French, etc.
Honors
AP Spanish,
French, etc.
Language
AP Spanish,
French, etc.
Literature
Computer
Science
Theatre
AP
Psychology
HISTORY/ SOCIAL
STUDIES
FOREIGN
LANGUAGE
OTHER
Global/
World
History
Honors
Spanish,
French, etc.
Honors
Visual Art
Important websites to help you!
1) Breakthrough Website
a. Providing any Breakthrough news as well as 8th grade
Instructional Videos and important dates for High School
Choice.
b. www.breakthroughdenver.org
2) Denver Public School Website
a. For School Choice Form and other useful information
b. www.dpsk12.org
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3) Denver Public School Enrollment Guide
a. New to 2013 students – the School Enrollment Guide has
information on every DPS high school.
b. http://schoolchoice.dpsk12.org/enrollment-guide/
4) School Match
a. A brand new school search tool to help you find a school that
fits your student
b. http://schoolmatch.dpsk12.org
5) Chalkbeat Colorado
a. An informational website dedicated to education in Colorado
http://co.chalkbeat.org/
Please feel free to contact us any time with any questions you may have
regarding this information.
Kyle Bobrick
Breakthrough Kent Denver
4000 East Quincy Ave.
Englewood, CO 80113
kbobrick@kentdenver.org
P. 303-770-7660 ext. 544
F. 303-770-7137
www.breakthroughdenver.org