Department Hours Classes

ENGLISH 40 Credits 8

Introduction to Literature 1 and 2American Literature 1 and 2Higher 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 2Earth ScienceChemistryPhysics or additional electives

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

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

Honors and non-honor courses at

Denver School of the ArtsStudents 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.

DSA Academics Classes are taught with the following goals in mind:

Writing is a tool for LearningInquiry Method with higher order thinking skills

Collaborative groups help gain understanding

RReading is a required tool of learning

Sequences entering 9th grade-NO High School Math High School Math in 8th

gradeIntegrated Algebra 1 & 2 Integrated Geometry 1 & 2Integrated Geometry 1 & 2 Algebra Advanced 1 &

2Algebra Advanced 1 & 2 Pre-calculus and

TrigonometryPre-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 30th.

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

Class Options for Science at DSABiology or Biology or

EarthEarth

ChemistryChemistry PhysicsPhysics

AP Environmental ScienceAP Environmental Science AP AP BiologyBiology

ZoologyZoology AnatomyAnatomy Astronomy or Marine BiologyAstronomy or Marine Biology

LANGUAGE ARTS9th Grade (10 credits)

Introduction to LiteratureIntroduction to Literature X

10th Grade (10 credits)

American LiteratureAmerican Literature X

11th & 12th 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)HumanitiesWriting About FilmCreative WritingCU Succeeds Language Arts (up to two years)

Social Studies9th Grade (10 credits)

Civics honors/Geography honors

AP Human Geography

10th Grade (10 credits)U.S. History

AP U.S History

11th & 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

World LanguagesSpanish 1,2, 3X, 4X, and AP Spanish Language

French 1,2,3x and 4x

ElectivesSelected arts electives based on department

staffing Competitive Speech (10 credits)History of Colorado (History Day) (10

credits)Yearbook (1o credits)AP Music TheoryCTE Audio Production/Engineering

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.

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.

CU Denver-CU SucceedsClasses cost $225.00 per semester paid at

August registration. There is an additional cost for textbooksStudent earn dual high school/college credit

9th Grade Academy9th 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 school9th grade students attend a summer academy for 10 days prior to beginning high school 9th grade students attend a summer academy for 10 days prior to beginning high school9th grade students attend a summer academy for 10 days prior to beginning high school

Makes transition into High School easier for 9th grade studentsMakes transition into High School easier for 9th grade students

Gives 9th grade students additional skills and foundations needed for High SchoolGives 9th grade students additional skills and foundations needed for High School

15/1 student/teacher ratio15/1 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)

9th Grade Academy

9th grade students attend a summer academy 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 Math, Literacy, Introduction to High School and

“Success Highways” (a class focused on building student’s self-confidence)

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

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

How does DSA compare-Academic Achievement

Academic Growth

Growth Gaps

Post secondary/Workforce Readiness

Graduation Rate

ACT Composite Score

DSA 96.9% 79.2%

67.5% 100% 94.4% 22.8

East HS 75% 66.7%

56.7% 75% 81.2% 21.2

GW HS 56.3% 58.3%

68.3% 75% 86.1% 20.6

Littleton HS

75% 75% 56.7% 66.7% 81.4% 21.3

Cherry Creek HS

93.8% 75% 63.3% 91.7% 91.1% 24.4

Colorado School GradesDSA 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

Will my student be ready for college?DSA has the highest college going rate

among high schools in DPSClass of 2011 earned $9.5 in scholarships

and grantsIn 2011 DSA had one Boettcher Scholarship

winnerIn 2012 DSA has two Boettcher semi-finalists

and two National Merit Semi-finalistsCollege Counselor in 11th and 12th grade and

works with every student to apply for college

Choice of StudiesThursday January 12th- 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.

DSA RequirementsStudents 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.

DPS School of ChoiceAll 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.

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 31st

× 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

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.