Pathway to Success

1. Pathway to Success What Will Your Legacy Be?

2. Graduation Requirements

3. What Education is Worth Sources: The College Board, Education Pays 2010, Figure 1.1; U.S. Census Bureau, 2009; Internal Revenue Service, 2008; Davis et al., 2009; calculations by the authors.

4. What Options Do I Have After West • Not finishing High School • Working at a job after High School • Career and Technical Training • Two-Year College (Community College) • Four-Year College

5. Career & Technical Schools Local Schools Facts Low cost May take longer than other Career Schools Quality instructors that have worked in specific career field Hands on career specific training Job placement • Emily Griffith Opportunity School • Pickens Technical College • Wyotec

6. Other Career & Technical Schools BEAWARE!!!!!! Promise faster completion Higher tuition with more loan debt Credits usually do not transfer to Community College or 4-year University Schools you see on TV

7. Academic Rigor, Talent, and/or Mastery of Skills Cumulative GPA Grades in college/Advanced Placement courses Grades in college prep courses Grades in all subjects ACT & SAT test scores Class rank Essay or writing samples Honors, Awards, etc. Counselor recommendations Teacher recommendations Interview (if required) Community Service Work and extracurricular activities College Admissions Criteria by Importance

8. Explore and Research Colleges/Careers/Your Future! • Identify what you like to do - How do you want to spend the rest of your life? • Will you be happy with the financial resources available to you as a result of that career choice? • Gather as much information as you can from informal visits to colleges and attending college fairs. • Search college websites for minimum GPA and test score requirements. • Refine what your possible college major may be and explore colleges strong in that area. • What careers are available to people with a degree in your chosen field? • Identify at least 10 Colleges/Universities you are interested in and spend this year researching everything you can about those colleges.

9. Colorado Two Year Colleges Local Community Colleges Community College Facts Smaller Class size Affordable tuition You do not have to live on-campus Guaranteed admission May work with undocumented students • Community College of Aurora • Community College of Denver • Red Rocks Community College • Arapahoe Community College • Front Range Community College

10. Colorado Two Year College Cont. Other 2-year Schools 2-yearCollege Facts Low cost tuition Located in Rural or Mountain area across Colorado On-campus housing looser admission requirements May have low to no wait-list for programs • Aims Community College • Colorado Mountain College • Colorado Northwest Community College • Lamar Community College • Pikes Peak Community College

11. Colorado Junior Colleges Junior Colleges Junior College Facts Career and Vocational focused Guaranteed admissions Smaller classes than traditional 4 year colleges two –year college with on campus housing Opportunity to participate in NCAA sports • Otero Junior College, La Junta • Trinidad Junior College, Trinidad • Blair Junior College • Northeastern Junior College, Sterling

12. 4 Year Colorado Colleges Colorado 4-Year colleges 4-college-Facts Larger class size Harder admission requirements More options for Majors Usually provide good Financial Aid options Options to participate in NCAA sports (competitive) • Adams State College, Alamosa • Colorado School of Mines, Golden Colorado • Colorado State University, - Fort Collins (Main Campus) & Pueblo • Fort Lewis College • Mesa State College, Grand Junction • Metropolitan State College of Denver, Denver

13. 4-Year Colorado Colleges Continued 4-year college facts Higher tuition than Community College Competitive admission requirements More major options Larger campuses May offer good Financial Aid package Opportunity to participate in NCAA sports (competitive) • University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder (main campus) • University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs • University of Colorado at Denver, Denver • University of Colorado Health and Science Center, Aurora • University of Northern Colorado, Greeley • Western State College of Colorado, Gunnison

14. Private Colorado 4-Year Colleges Colorado Private Colleges Private Institution Facts Smaller college Tuition is higher Some give more Financial Aid and large scholarship endowments No COF requirement and may work for undocumented students Opportunity to participate in NCAA college sports • Colorado College, Colorado Springs • Colorado Christian University, Lakewood • Johnson & Wales, Denver • Regis University, Denver • Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, Denver • University of Denver

15. U.S. Military • Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard.

16. Job Corps • Job Corps is a free education and training program that helps young people learn a career, earn a high school diploma or GED, and find and keep a good job. • All you need to join Job Corps is: • Be at least 16 years of age. • Be a U.S. citizen or legal resident. • Meet income requirements. • Students can earn a high school diploma, a GED, or college credits through Job Corps. • Job Corps offers career technical training in more than 100 career areas. • Students receive housing, meals, basic health care, a living allowance, and training and preparation for a career - all at no cost. • For up to 18 months after graduation from Job Corps, students will get help from Job Corps to make the transition into the real world.

17. Construction Bricklaying Carpentry Cement Masonry Electrical Facilities Maintenance Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Painting Plumbing Finance and Business Accounting Services Office Administration Homeland Security Security and Protective Services Advanced Manufacturing Welding Automotive and Machine Repair Automobile Technician Collision Repair and Refinish Health Care Clinical Medical Assistant Licensed Practical/ Vocational Nurse Medical Office Support Nurse Assistant/Home Health Aide Pharmacy Technician Hospitality Culinary Arts Hotel and Lodging Information Technology Computer Technician Network Cable Installation Renewable Resources and Energy Landscaping Urban Forestry Retail Sales and Services Retail Sales Transportation Heavy Equipment Operations Material and Distribution Operations … and many more! Job Corps Careers (there are over 100!)

18. College Visits • Many colleges visit West to talk with prospective students • Listen to daily announcements • Sign up with Bea Salazar in the Futures Center to receive your pass

19. Everything counts … NOW! • Grades and Credits are used to determine the GPA • AP Courses are weighted on a 5 point scale • Honors, and Comprehensive Classes are weighted on a 4 point scale • Eligibility in Sports and Extracurricular and/or Co-curricular activities are based on academic performance • Placement in honors, advanced, and advanced placement classes and awards that will be listed on the college application • All grades, courses, and credits earned will be listed on your TRANSCRIPT!

20. Schedule visits on teacher in-service days and spring break Make an appointment for your tour Visit In-session Stay overnight when possible Include your parents Meet with an admissions officer Verify admissions requirements Discuss your chances for success Obtain a school calendar and catalogue Determine college costs Ask about financial aid opportunities Ask about student/teacher ratio for freshmen Ask about Honors Programs Meet with faculty Ask questions about academic requirements and offerings Attend a class Ask about placement record Identify career-planning services Tour the campus/classrooms/labs Tour the dorms/dining facilities Tour the recreational facilities Tour the city or town Talk to students Find out about student activities Inquire about campus life Investigate transportation options Keep note about your visit Write thank you notes Hints For A Campus Visit

21. How To Be Successful • Push yourself to take classes that reflect as strong and as rigorous an academic curriculum that you can handle successfully • Unplug yourself from the Internet and TV. • Learn to develop your “intellectual appetite” • Make moves to be independent NOW!

22. Get Involved … • Find your passion and follow it! Develop yourself as a leader in that area if possible • Select school activities that will demonstrate your passion or leadership in the subject areas you are passionate about • Discover what is available in the community, your church, scouting, recreational sports, charitable organizations, etc. that will enhance your experience and resume • Volunteer as much as you can

23. Monitor Academic Progress • Do not assume that someone will contact you if there is a problem with your academic progress • Keep in contact with your teachers and your counselors • Develop strong study skills and time management techniques • Work on building a strong vocabulary and refine your ability to speak in public • READ, READ, and READ more! Practice and refine your talents • Turn all assignments in on time! • Know when progress reports and grades will be mailed home • Take advantage of as many educational enrichment activities as you can - summer workshops, camps, honor symposiums, leadership seminars, etc. • Build your college resume by engaging in a well rounded balance of academically rigorous classes, athletic participation, participation in the arts, membership in worthwhile clubs, leadership positions, community service activities, and giving of your time for the betterment of mankind

24. Finding the Balance … Plan Ahead! • With the everyday stresses of being a student, making good grades, meeting new friends, making choices and decisions, becoming involved in activities, etc… it is important to find the PROPER BALANCE. • Each student, with the help of parents, teachers, and counselors, must find that balance. Remember, don’t over extend yourself, but aim to reach your fullest POTENTIAL! • Plan Ahead - develop appropriate relationships with your counselor and those teachers you will be asking to write your letters of recommendation - they need to know who you are now so they can speak highly of you in comparison to other students they have known throughout their career. • Identify special characteristics about yourself that set you apart from other students who have the same GPA and Test Scores. • Clean up your Facebook and Myspace accounts now! 25% of all colleges and universities now look at your accounts when making college admission decisions.

25. Denver Scholarship Foundation The Denver Scholarship Foundation inspires and empowers Denver Public School students to achieve their post-secondary goals by providing the tools, knowledge and financial resources essential for success. • …for DPS graduates who • are enrolled in DPS high school by October 1 all four years of high school • have a 2.0 cumulative G.P.A • have financial need • decide to enroll in Colorado colleges • Awards are based on financial eligibility (FAFSA), school choice, and enrollment (full-time or part-time) • Scholars could receive an award up to $5000 annually, for as many as 5 years Stop by the Future Center, room 300 for more information

26. DSF Scholarship Directory Main page, left side Grade level scholarship list www.denverschcolarship.org

27. Are you an artist?

28. It’s Up to YOU!! So, What will your legacy be? The time is NOW!