For Students
Welcome to the Counseling Department's Student Resources page! On this page, you'll find some of the most commonly requested information for college/career prep, athletics, graduation requirements and more. Questions? Please contact your counselor for more information.
We're Here for You
Please see the below article about the essential role of high school counselors from American School Counselor Association.
Resources
- Advanced Placement
- Credit Recovery & Summer School
- Collegiate Sports (NCAA & NAIA)
- Course Registration
- Financial Aid & Scholarships
- Front Range Community College & Concurrent Enrollment
- High School Graduation Requirements
- Individualized Career and Academic Plans (ICAP)
- Naviance
- Postsecondary Pathways
- Transcripts & Letters of Recommendation Requests
Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement (AP) is a national program run through College Board (the same organization that develops the SAT). The Academy currently offers a variety of AP courses and is adding more each year. At The Academy, AP courses are weighted (on a 5.0 scale, as opposed to a 4.0 scale), giving students the opportunity to boost their GPA. In addition, if students do well on the AP test, which is offered at the end of the year, they have the opportunity to earn college credit. Please note, it is the student’s responsibility to cover the costs for the AP exams, which generally run between $90-$100. While this can be costly, it is still significantly cheaper than college tuition! You can also find more information by visiting www.CollegeBoard.org or by talking to your counselor.
Why Take AP?
- Stand Out in College Admissions - Deciding to take an AP course lets colleges and universities know that you have what it takes to succeed in an undergraduate environment. When admissions officers see “AP” on your transcript, they know that what you experienced in a particular class has prepared you well for the challenges of college. Taking AP is a sign that you’re up for the most rigorous classes your high school has to offer.
- Earn College Credits - By taking an AP course and scoring successfully on the related AP Exam, you can save on college expenses: most colleges and universities nationwide offer college credit, advanced placement, or both, for qualifying AP Exam scores. These credits can allow students to save college tuition, study abroad, or secure a second major. AP can transform what once seemed unattainable into something within reach. Check out specific colleges’ guidelines on accepting AP scores for credit and placement by searching our AP Credit Policy database.
- Skip Introductory Classes - If you already know your preferred college major, taking a related AP course and earning a qualifying score on the AP Exam can help you advance and avoid required introductory courses – so you can move directly into upper-level classes and focus on the work that interests you most. Even taking an AP Exam unrelated to your major – whether or not you know what you want to major in – can place you beyond your college’s general education requirements. This opens up additional time on your schedule, enabling you to do a second major or minor, take exciting electives, or pursue additional interests.
- Build College Skills - Taking an AP course builds the skills you'll need throughout your college years. You give your mind a rigorous workout while polishing up your time management and study skills. You also get better at handling challenging issues and problems, with the support of your AP teachers. AP courses let you know what to expect during the next phase of your educational journey, and help you build the confidence to succeed.
Credit Recovery & Summer School
Credit Recovery & Summer School
If a student fails a class that is needed for graduation, they must retake the course via credit recovery. Please communicate with your student’s counselor to discuss what action needs to be taken if a student fails a course.
The Academy has two credit recovery options:
- Edgenuity Online Courses - Students will be enrolled in Edgenuity during the school day and will be expected to complete the course requirements within one semester. Both the original F and the new grade earned in Edgenuity will appear on the official transcript and will factor into the student’s GPA.
- Summer School- Information in regard to Summer School is typically sent out to families in April or May. The cost for one Summer School course is $150, unless otherwise discussed with a counselor or administrator.
Collegiate Sports (NCAA & NAIA)
Collegiate Sports (NCAA & NAIA)The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) - Student athletes who are planning to play sports in college in Division I, II, or III must be eligible and register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) - Student athletes who are interested in playing sports for a small college must be eligible and register with the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Course Registration
Course Registration
Counselors work with students 9th-12th grade to help build their course schedules and discuss pathways.
Work Study / Internship
Work study and internship is an exciting opportunity for students to begin to explore work outside of the classroom and provides an experiential learning experience for students that provides hand-on learning. Explore the pdf links below to learn more about the program.
Internship
Course Registration by Grade Level
Included below are the available classes as determined by grade level.
Course Catalog with course descriptions
Blended Honors
Traditional honors classes are moving into a pilot program to blend honors courses and non honors courses into the same course which will allow students seeking an honors distinction to complete honors level work in the classroom. For more detailed information, view the link below.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Financial Aid & ScholarshipsPaying for College
- Financial Aid - Money that is given borrowed or earned for educational purposes. Sources for financial aid include federal and state governments as well as the college or university. Need for financial aid is determined through Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Grants - Money from the federal government or college/university. Grants are need based and do not need to be repaid.
- Subsidized Loans do not accrue interest while you are in school at least half-time or during deferment periods.
- Unsubsidized Loans are loans do accrue interest starting on the date they are received.
- Scholarships - Money is won or given for a variety of reasons including academic excellence, athletics and personal attributes. Some are needs based and others are not. They do not need to be repaid.
Student Resources for Scholarships:
Front Range Community College & Concurrent Enrollment
Front Range Community College & Concurrent Enrollment
Front Range Community College (FRCC) Packet - The Academy partners with FRCC. Students will earn both high school and college credit concurrently by earning a C or better grade in their FRCC classes. This opportunity is available to eligible students grades 9-12. We recommend most students to take two courses per semester as that fits best within our schedule, although we do allow the opportunity for students to take more. Benefits include reduced cost/time of 4-year degree, guaranteed transfer credit to public in-state 4 year schools, and concurrent high school and college credit.
FRont Range Community College Packet
The Academy’s minimum requirements, guidelines, and policies for attending classes on the FRCC Campus:
- The FRCC/Academy Concurrent Enrollment program is open to students in grades 9-12.
- Students must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5, with no current Ds/Fs while applying.
- Students must have reliable transportation.
- Parents/Guardians must agree to program guidelines including fees and books associated with the college. (The Academy pays for tuition only.)
- Students must complete all processes, materials, advising, and counselor approval of courses by the published deadlines.
- These steps must take place each semester prior to enrolling in courses on e-wolf.
- Students will earn 0.5 weighted credit at The Academy per every 3 credit course class.
- Students must meet all FRCC College Now requirements, and enroll themselves via their eWolf accounts.
- Any grade earned in a Front Range course will be reflected on The Academy Transcript as well as the Front Range Transcript, and will contribute to the students’ GPA.
- Students must earn a C or better at FRCC in order to receive credit at The Academy, and to remain eligible to take FRCC courses in future semesters.
- Students who do not pass FRCC courses (earn a C or higher), must reimburse The Academy for the FRCC tuition. (See Promissory Note.)
- Students who do not pass FRCC courses (earn a C or higher) may be eligible to re-enroll in FRCC courses after a one-semester probationary period.
- Students who failed a FRCC course will remain ineligible to re-enroll until the debt is paid in full.
Hoping to be a concurrent enrollment student in the near future? Please follow these steps to get started:
- Have a Pathways meeting with your counselor and discuss what it means to be a concurrent enrollment student. Please see Concurrent Enrollment Information Session for more information.
- Review the packet at the top of this page and follow each step carefully.
- Application and packet materials must be completed and returned to your counselor by April.
- Attend a meeting with FRCC coordinator and your counselor to discuss classes you will take at FRCC.
- Register for your classes by May and start your journey as a concurrent enrollment student!
Resources for Current FRCC Students:
High School Graduation Requirements
High School Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements
- 4 credits in English & Math
- 3 credits in Science and Social Studies
- 2 credits in World Language
- 1 credit in PE (.5 Health, .5 PE class/sport)
- 7 academic/general electives
- Total of 24 credits
Counselors work with students to figure out what graduation pathway is the best fit. Starting with the class of 2021, the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) has asked that students demonstrate competency in English and Math upon graduating from high school. Students must select a graduation option from the CDE Menu of College and Career-Ready Demonstrations. Please see the link below for a list of the options.
Distinctions
- Computer Science
- Honors
- Performing Arts
- Science
- Social Studies
- Visual Arts
- Work Based Learning
- World Language
Individualized Career and Academic Plans (ICAP)
Individualized Career and Academic Plans (ICAP) are intended to help students create and implement postsecondary plans throughout high school. The Academy develops and supports ICAP in many ways, including individual pathways meetings with students and families, classroom guidance lessons, Naviance Student, and providing access to the PSAT & SAT.
In grades 9-11, Pathways meeting occur once a year with counselor, student and family. As a team, credits, grades, postsecondary plans and future courses are discussed. In 12th grade, counselors with with seniors and their families to hold a Senior Meeting. This meeting details each student's individual postsecondary plan. Counselors present college and career classroom guidance lessons several times throughout the school year. All 7-12 Academy students are provided with a Naviance account where they can explore college and career options. Students use their Academy email address to login and create their own password by clicking "Forgot Password?" Students typically take the PSAT starting in 8th grade. All 11th grade students take the SAT in April at no cost.
Naviance
NavianceNaviance is a tool used in grades 7-12 for college and career exploration. It is also heavily used in 12th grade to submit documentation to post secondary institutions.
Naviance Student allows you to:
- Get involved in the planning and advising process - Build a resume, complete online surveys, and manage timelines and deadlines for making decisions about colleges and careers.
- Research colleges - Compare GPA, standardized test scores, and other statistics of students who have been admitted to the college.
- Research scholarships - Use a scholarship website database to find a wide variety of scholarships.
- Research careers - Research hundreds of careers and career cluster, and take career assessments.
- Create future plans - Create goals and to-dos, and complete tasks assigned to you by the school to better prepare yourself for your future college and career goals.
The link below is a video lesson that will give you the opportunity to review navigation via a mobile device and access a foundational tour of each of the Naviance Student sections.
Username: Academy Student Email Address
Password: Students can create their own password by clicking "Forgot Password?"
Postsecondary Pathways
Postsecondary PathwaysCollege
Counselors partner with students and families to prepare for college. The Academy offers rigorous courses to build competitive student transcripts. Each year during the spring semester, students and families meet with their counselor to discuss post-secondary goals. If students hope to move on to a 2-4 year college post high school, counselors help guide and facilitate what options look like for individual students. Resources for college planning:
-
Naviance Student - See High School Counseling page for login instructions
- CollegeBoard
- ACT
- College Fairs of Greater Denver
Career
Many students are interested in jumping into careers right after high school. Apprenticeships are a great way to earn income while also learning a skill/trade. Resources for learning more about apprenticeships:
Military
If students are interested in joining the military, counselors will connect them with specific representatives from the branch they are interested in pursuing. Below are the contacts for military representatives. Students are welcome to reach out to reps on their own. Please know, most of these branches do have restrictions when working with students under 17 years old.
Air Force
Name: Isaac Fifer
Phone Number: 720-601-4230
Email: isaac.fifer@us.af.mil
Army
Name: Marvin Browning
Phone Number: 720-839-0896
Email: marvin.r.browing.mil@mail.mil
Coast Guard
Name: David Williams
Phone Number: 720-234-1480
Email: david.a.williams@uscg.mil
Marines
Name: Bishop Guerrero
Phone Number: 303-912-5329
Email: bishop.guerrero@marines.usmc.mil
National Guard
Name: Kyle Warren
Phone Number: 720-584-3696
Email: kyle.h.warren2.mil@mail.mil
Navy
Name: Crystal Munns
Phone Number: 720-799-3755
Email: crystal.munns@navy.mil
Transcripts & Letters of Recommendation Requests
Transcripts & Letters of Recommendation RequestsTranscripts Requests
- Class of 2014 and Earlier - Please contact Adams 12 Five Star Schools to obtain a copy of your transcript or need education verification. The Academy no longer has access to those records.
- Class of 2015 and Later - Please CLICK HERE to complete the Transcript Request Form.
NOTE: IF THE TRANSCRIPT YOU ARE REQUESTING IS FOR A FORMER GRADUATE AND THEY ARE OVER THE AGE OF 18, THE GRADUATE MUST BE THE INDIVIDUAL TO REQUEST THE TRANSCRIPT.
*Please note for the "Letter of Recommendation Request Form" that a copy must be made before the document can be edited.