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The academy model at Castle View High School is designed to support the three R’s: Relationships, Relevance
and Rigor. Each of the four academies -- Leadership, Global Studies and Communication (LGC);
Science, Technology, Math and Engineering (STEM); Visual and Performing Arts (VPA); and Biotechnology and Health Sciences (BHS)-- are
designed to provide smaller learning communities where students can develop significant relationships with
teachers assigned to that academy.
In essence, our academy model reduces a typical high school of 2000
students into one of roughly 350 to 400 students “A place where everyone knows your name.”
Each academy has a unique instructional focus that connects curricular content to student’s individual interests.
If a student has an interest in engineering might choose the Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math Academy. These academies
are not necessarily tied to careers, but to an overall educational experience focused around an academic area.
All students receive a quality education that meets all DCSD graduation requirements, regardless of the academy
they select or the pathway they choose.
While each academy provides a quality education for all students, differences among the academies are in the
secondary focus of each class. For example, an English class in the Math, Science and Engineering Academy
places more emphasis on technical writing and lab reports, while an English class in the Leadership, Global
Studies and Communications Academy places more emphasis on literary analysis and exploration.
The second difference among the academies is in the elective credits students can choose throughout their time in
high school. Each academy requires certain elective classes focusing on the academic area of that academy. A
full range of AP courses and a full complement of electives are available for all students, regardless of their
chosen academy.
To connect the academies to the community, Castle View High School pursues partnerships and internships. In
this way, students can apply what they learn outside of the school, and can begin learning some of the specific
skills they will need as they move beyond high school.
Through inter-disciplinary organization, our model places core subject teachers with elective teachers into
academy teams who work to provide relevant learning experiences for each student who has chosen that
particular academy.
Our vision is to provide a collaborative environment for teachers to present curriculum, facilitate learning and
insure each student has the skills and aptitude to either enter the work force or continue educational pursuits
beyond the walls of Castle View High School.
Individual student interest and relevance is critical to academic success at Castle View. During the initial
registration, every student will complete the “Choices” survey at the collegeincolorado.org website. The “Choices”
program will assist students and parents in selecting an academy that meets each student’s individual interests.
It also provides insight into the selection of each student’s individual educational and career pathway. We believe
students and parents will find this information interesting, compelling and vital to an appropriate selection of the
academy each student attends. |
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