3. Department Hours Classes ENGLISH 40 Credits 8 Introduction to Literature 1 and 2 American Literature 1 and 2 Higher level English courses (2 years) MATHEMATICS 40 Credits 8 Algebra 1 and 2 or Integrated equivalent Geometry 1 and 2 or Integrated equivalent Higher level Math courses (2 years) SCIENCE 30 Credits 6 Three years of science from the following courses: Biology 1 and 2 Earth Science Chemistry Physics or additional electives

4. Department Hours Classes SOCIAL STUDIES 30 Credits 6 Civics (1 semester) US History ( 2 semesters) 15 additional Social Studies Credits ELECTIVES 100 Credits 30 DSA Arts Major counts for 80 hours TOTAL 240 Credits 48

5. Honors and non-honor courses at Denver School of the Arts Honors classes are weighted on a 5.2 grading scales verses non- honors on a 4.0 grading scale All DPS designated courses that have an honors option will be offered to students at DSA Honors and non-honors students will be integrated into the same class period Student electing to take honors credit will do so in the first four weeks of each semester

6. Honors and non-honor courses at Denver School of the Arts Students choosing honors credits will have: More rigorous homework assignments At least one major research paper/project per semester. All students receive: Intensive reading and writing in the content area. Instruction that includes the use of higher-order thinking skills during questioning and discussion periods.

7. DSA Academics Classes are taught with the following goals in mind: Writing is a tool for Learning Inquiry Method with higher order thinking skills Collaborative groups help gain understanding R Reading is a required tool of learning

9. Sequences entering 9 th grade- NO High School Math High School Math in 8 th grade Integrated Algebra 1 & 2 Integrated Geometry 1 & 2 Integrated Geometry 1 & 2 Algebra Advanced 1 & 2 Algebra Advanced 1 & 2 Pre-calculus and Trigonometry Pre-calculus and AP Calculus Trigonometry AP Statistics Students may also take Math Infused Audio Engineering as an upper level math class. All math placements will be decided by math classes by April 30 th.

10. Graduation Requirements for DPS are Three (3) Years of Science Most Colleges prefer at least three (3) “lab” based classes

11. Class Options for Science at DSA Biology or Earth Chemistry Physics AP Environmental Science AP Biology Zoology Anatomy Astronomy or Marine Biology Astronomy or Marine Biology

12. LANGUAGE ARTS 9 th Grade (10 credits) Introduction to Literature Introduction to Literature X 10 th Grade (10 credits) American Literature American Literature X 11 th & 12 th Grade (10 credits) Women’s Literature (5 credits) College Composition (5 credits) British Literature/British Literature X (10 credits) AP English Language & Composition (10 credits) AP Literature & Composition (10 credits) World Literature/World Literature X (10 credits) Humanities Writing About Film Creative Writing CU Succeeds Language Arts (up to two years)

13. Social Studies 9th Grade (10 credits) Civics honors/ Geography honors AP Human Geography 10th Grade (10 credits) U.S. History AP U.S History 11 th & 12th Grade (10 credits) AP European History (10) Sociology (5)/Psychology (5) AP World History (10) World Religions in America Honors (5) AP Comparative Government/Politics (5) CU Succeeds Social Studies

14. World Languages Spanish 1,2, 3X, 4X, and AP Spanish Language French 1,2,3x and 4x

15. Electives Selected arts electives based on department staffing Competitive Speech (10 credits) History of Colorado (History Day) (10 credits) Yearbook (1o credits) AP Music Theory CTE Audio Production/Engineering

16. Advanced Placement (AP) The Advanced Placement Program consists of courses and tests developed by The College Board. These courses are designed to offer high school students the opportunity to experience college-level work. Students signing up for AP courses must be prepared for a very rigorous course of study that is equivalent to first year college work. By earning an acceptable score on the exams, students may earn college credit. Each college and university has its own advanced placement policy which dictates how AP scores are handled in allowing credit toward graduation.

17. Advanced Placement (AP) Textbooks are purchased for these classes and range from $60 - $150 per book AP exams fees are $95.00 per exam AP exams are administered during a national testing week during the first two weeks in May each year (student electing to not take the exam will not receive weighted credit on their transcripts) Course descriptions will be upload on the DSA Web-site by next Thursday.

18. CU Denver-CU Succeeds Classes cost $225.00 per semester paid at August registration. There is an additional cost for textbooks Student earn dual high school/college credit

19. 9 th Grade Academy Students will be eligible for incentive daily drawings by attending the Ninth Grade Academies. 9th grade students attend a summer academy for 10 days prior to beginning high school Makes transition into High School easier for 9th grade students Gives 9th grade students additional skills and foundations needed for High School 15/1 student/teacher ratio Students earn High School elective credits Fun and Engaging! Math, Literacy, Intro. to High School and “Success Highways” (a class focused on building student’s self-confidence)

20. DSA had after school clubs and activities for high school students. DSA students may participate in Athletics in the following way: Play at their home high school or participate at George Washington High School

21. How does DSA compare- to other DPS and surrounding high schools?

22. How does DSA compare- Academic Achievement Academic Growth Growth GapsPost secondary/ Workforce Readiness Graduation Rate ACT Composite Score DSA96.9%79.2%67.5%100%94.4%22.8 East HS75%66.7%56.7%75%81.2%21.2 GW HS56.3%58.3%68.3%75%86.1%20.6 Littleton HS 75% 56.7%66.7%81.4%21.3 Cherry Creek HS 93.8%75%63.3%91.7%91.1%24.4

23. Colorado School Grades DSA Overall Performance - A+ 4 of 364 high schools DSST Overall Performance- A+ 2 of 364 high schools East HS Overall Performance- C 166 of 364 high schools GW HS Overall Performance- C 219 of 364 high schools Cherry Creek HS Overall Performance- B+ 50 of 364 high schools These grades come from ColoradoSchoolGrades.com

24. Will my student be ready for college? DSA has the highest college going rate among high schools in DPS Class of 2011 earned $9.5 in scholarships and grants In 2011 DSA had one Boettcher Scholarship winner In 2012 DSA has two Boettcher semi-finalists and two National Merit Semi-finalists College Counselor in 11 th and 12 th grade and works with every student to apply for college

25. Choice of Studies Thursday January 12 th - Students will received choice of studies sheets, selections take place on line On the DSA web-site “counseling center” you will be able to see all dates, literature, choice of study sheets, course descriptions, course catalog, etc.

26. DSA Requirements Students in high school must have a minimum of 6 classes each semester. Ninth grade students are not required to take 8 classes and my be given off periods.

27. DPS School of Choice All current DSA students are projected to return to DSA. If you are planning on attending another DPS School you will need to complete a DPS School of Choice form. In this form you will rank 5 choices. Choice forms are due to the DPS Choice Office by January 31, 2012. Questions regarding School Choice my be directed to (720)423- 3493.

28. True Statements False Statements If DSA is the school you most want to attend, you should do two things – 1) audition, and 2) indicate DSA as your top-pick on the SchoolChoice form If a student does not qualify for DSA via the audition process, they will not be assigned there If a student goes through the audition process and qualifies for DSA, but does not select DSA as one of their school preferences, they will not be assigned there SchoolChoice forms may be submitted at any DPS school or at the DPS Administrative Office at 900 Grant Street The Office of Choice and Enrollment Services will make every attempt to assign students to their highest- preferred school If a student is considering DSA and is not a current DPS student, he/she is encouraged to submit the required “pre-enroll” paperwork at DSA in January (the corresponding SchoolChoice form can be turned in at the same time or at a later date and/or different location) × Students who rank DSA lower than #1 on the SchoolChoice form will not be assigned there × DSA will know where the student has ranked them on the SchoolChoice form, and may not select the student based on that information × A student can be assigned to DSA solely by going through the audition process × If a student is considering DSA, they must submit their SchoolChoice form at DSA × If a student is considering DSA, their SchoolChoice form is due earlier than January 31 st × A student may be offered a seat at DSA and another DPS school at the end of the SchoolChoice process × Students who live outside of Denver have a lesser chance of getting into DSA

29. THANKS FOR COMING! We hope that DSA remains your choice for high school and are looking forward to you being a continued part of the the DSA community.