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A N I MA S H I G H S C H OOL A N I MA S H I G H S C H OOL aNIMAS C H O O L P R O F I L E 2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4 aNIMAS S S C H O O L P R O F I L E 2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4

Our Mission Our Mission Animas High School prepares students for Animas High School prepares students for post ost-
E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R , M I C H A E L A C K E R M A N EXECUT VA ED D IF R E ,L M LA A HI E O SCCTHOORO , I JC AH KA EE L UC EK RE R M A N H E A D O F S C H O O L , J A K E L A U E R

Our School Our School A John Irwi n S chool

of Exce llen ce A John Irwi n S chool of Exce llen ce Located in Durango, CO, Animas High School Located in Durango, CO, Animas High School opened in 2009 to offer rigorous, individualized opened in 2009 to offer rigorous, individualized college preparation based on the design principles college preparation based on the design principles of the nationally acclaimed High Tech High model. of the nationally acclaimed High Tech High model. Animas High School is a rapidly-growing public Animas High School is a rapidly-growing public charter school serving 276 students in grades 9-12. charter school serving 276 students in grades 9-12. In 2013, we graduated our first class of 49 students. In 2013, we graduated our first class of 49 students. Our dedicated faculty and staff are life-long learners Our dedicated faculty and staff are life-long learners who are invested in our school and students. Of our who are invested in our school and students. Of our 20 full-time faculty, over half hold advanced degrees 20 full-time faculty, over half hold advanced degrees or are enrolled in masters programs. Complete or are enrolled in masters programs. Complete faculty profiles can be accessed from the schools faculty profiles can be accessed from the schools website at www.animashighschool.com. website at www.animashighschool.com. Average Class Size: 20 Average Class Size: 20 Student-Faculty Ratio: 13:1 Student-Faculty Ratio: 13:1 Open enrollment is through random lottery when Open enrollment is through random lottery when the number of interested students exceeds the the number of interested students exceeds the available seats. available seats.

Animas High School prepares students for post- secondary success by creating critical thinkers and secondary success by creating critical thinkers and engaged, service-oriented citizens able to meet the engaged, service-oriented citizens able to meet the challenges of the 21st century. This is accomplished challenges of the 21st century. This is accomplished through: through: A rigorous academic program that inspires a A rigorous academic program that inspires a love of learning and teaches habits of success. love of learning and teaches habits of success. Engaging students through project-based Engaging students through project-based learning and community partnerships that make learning and community partnerships that make education uniquely relevant to students. education uniquely relevant to students. A commitment to a collaborative environment A commitment to a collaborative environment within the school. within the school. A culture of excellence that challenges and A culture of excellence that challenges and supports each student. supports each student. The utilization of applied technology. The utilization of applied technology. A small school environment where strong faculty-student relationships develop. A small school environment where strong faculty-student relationships develop.

P.O. Box 4414 Durango, CO 81302 - www.animashighschool.com 970-247-2474 (phone) - 970- 247-2483 (fax) P.O. Box 4414 Durango, CO 81302 - www.animashighschool.com 970-247-2474 (phone) - 970- 247-2483 (fax)

Animas High Schools pedagogical approach is Animas High Schools pedagogical approach is inter-disciplinary at heart. Our faculty-developed, inter-disciplinary at heart. Our faculty-developed, integrated curriculum reflects our mission, values and integrated curriculum reflects our mission, values and academic passions. Our rigorous and compelling academic passions. Our rigorous and compelling academic program exceeds state standards, ensures academic program exceeds state standards, ensures mastery of critical content, and promotes students mastery of critical content, and promotes students preparedness for college and for life-long learning. It preparedness for college and for life-long learning. It fosters authentic engagement, thoughtful inquiry and fosters authentic engagement, thoughtful inquiry and in-depth analysis, rather than adhering to more in-depth analysis, rather than adhering to more traditional approaches that rely on memorization and traditional approaches that rely on memorization and broad coverage. Students are asked to transform and broad coverage. Students are asked to transform and apply knowledge that is relevant to their community apply knowledge that is relevant to their community and their lives. and their lives. Our interdisciplinary approach to teaching deepens Our interdisciplinary approach to teaching deepens students understanding, because they begin to students understanding, because they begin to perceive threads and convergences between content perceive threads and convergences between content areas. Unlike some educational models, where areas. Unlike some educational models, where discrete subjects are taught without regard to discrete subjects are taught without regard to connectivity, students at Animas High School emerge connectivity, students at Animas High School emerge from our program with a depth of knowledge from a from our program with a depth of knowledge from a range of disciplinary perspectives. range of disciplinary perspectives. Socratic seminars provide students ample Socratic seminars provide students ample opportunity for discussing, articulating and opportunity for discussing, articulating and supporting their ideas and opinions with evidence, supporting their ideas and opinions with evidence, and listening considerately to others. Students are at and listening considerately to others. Students are at the center of the learning process. the center of the learning process. Our school values applied learning. We encourage Our school values applied learning. We encourage projects that have real-world applications, require projects that have real-world applications, require academic internships for juniors, and invite academic internships for juniors, and invite professionals to evaluate student work and to be professionals to evaluate student work and to be mentors. mentors. Collaboration, combined with individual initiative, Collaboration, combined with individual initiative, is a hallmark of our school. Peer critique is utilized in is a hallmark of our school. Peer critique is utilized in all courses, and students work as individuals and in all courses, and students work as individuals and in small groups to design and complete projects and small groups to design and complete projects and solve problems. solve problems. Students exhibit their work to the public, Students exhibit their work to the public, enhancing their verbal and written communication enhancing their verbal and written communication and demonstration skills. Presentations of Learning and demonstration skills. Presentations of Learning every semester provide students with an opportunity every semester provide students with an opportunity to analyze and reflect on their learning. to analyze and reflect on their learning.

Our Curriculum Our Curriculum

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A N I MA S H I G H S C H OOL Leading Internships for New Knowledge S C H O O L P R O F I L E 2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4

LINK Internships aNIMAS

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AHS School Profile 2013-2014

E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R , M I C H A E L A C K E R M A N At Animas High School, learning is connected H E A D O F S C H O O L , J A K E L A U E R to the world beyond our classrooms. As a graduation requirement, all juniors complete an internship for three weeks while simultaneously participating in a year-long curriculum that prepares them for the experience. Students create resumes, engage in Animas High School prepares students for post- Animas High Schools pedagogical approach is interviews, and document the internship experience secondary success by creating critical thinkers and inter-disciplinary at heart. Our faculty-developed, through digital portfolios. LINK culminates in an engaged, service-oriented citizens able to meet the integrated curriculum reflects our mission, values and exhibition in which students showcase their learning challenges of the 21st century. This is accomplished academic passions. Our rigorous and compelling and their internship projects to the community. through: academic program exceeds state standards, ensures Through an internship, students connect their mastery of critical content, and promotes students coursework to the working world, learn how to A rigorous academic program that inspires a preparedness for college and for life-long learning. It thrive in a professional work environment, refine love of learning and teaches habits of success. fosters authentic engagement, thoughtful inquiry and college and career goals, and give back to the local Located in Durango, CO, we are a rural community Engaging students through project-based in-depth analysis, rather than adhering to more and global community. Students have participated of 17,069 residents in the Four Corners Region of the learning and community partnerships that make traditional approaches that rely on memorization and in internships across the nation and the world southwestern United States. The nearest major cities education uniquely relevant to students. broad coverage. Students are asked to transform and including NASA- Langley Research Center, Loop are Albuquerque (215 miles), Denver (340 miles), Salt apply knowledge that is relevant to their community Abroad in Cambodia, and numerous local businesses A commitment to a collaborative environment Lake City (390 miles), and Phoenix (450 miles). The and their lives. and organizations. within the school. Durango community is composed of business, Our interdisciplinary approach to teaching deepens agricultural, and service industry residents. Fort A culture of excellence that challenges and students understanding, because they begin to Lewis College provides numerous educational and supports each student. perceive threads and convergences between content cultural advantages to the region. areas. Unlike some educational models, where The utilization of applied technology. Senior Project is an in-depth study of a focused discrete subjects are taught without regard to A small school environment where strong research topic chosen from among the academic connectivity, students at Animas High School emerge faculty-student relationships develop. disciplines students have studied throughout their from our program with a depth of knowledge from a Our academic program is rooted in the idea that career at Animas High School. Senior Project consists range of disciplinary perspectives. students are capable thinkers and learners, and that of a research paper, exhibition, and thesis defense. Socratic seminars provide students ample they can be self-directed and responsible. Within Ae research paper promotes high John Irwi n S chool of Exce llen ce Th -level research and opportunity for discussing, articulating and prescribed core curriculum requirements, students writing skills, intellectual discovery, and creativity. It supporting their ideas and opinions with evidence, complete projects and spend significant hours on Located in Durango, CO, Animas High School provides students with an opportunity to engage in and listening considerately to others. Students are at homework, research, and other out-of-class study. opened in 2009 to offer rigorous, individualized personal research within a topic of their own choice, the center of the learning process. Every day, students write. Assignments include college preparation based on the design principles under the guidance of a Senior Project Advisor. The Our school values applied learning. We encourage structured essays, research papers, lab reports, of the nationally acclaimed High Tech High model. project is intended to promote high-level research projects that have real-world applications, require analysis, reflections, and creative writing. In math Animas High School is a rapidly-growing public and writing skills, intellectual discovery, and academic internships for juniors, and invite and science, students practice both traditional and charter school serving 276 students in grades 9-12. creativity. Students deliver their findings in a professionals to evaluate student work and to be open-ended problems along with projects, such as In 2013, we graduated our first class of 49 students. professional and engaging TED style presentation. mentors. building model bridge structures and designing house Our dedicated faculty and staff are life-long learners Collaboration, combined with individual initiative, renovations that use multiple mathematical concepts who are invested in our school and students. Of our is a hallmark of our school. Peer critique is utilized in in real-world ways. 20 full-time faculty, over half hold advanced degrees all courses, and students work as individuals and in We support our students through a school culture or are enrolled in masters programs. Complete small groups to design and complete projects and that promotes the development of not only the faculty profiles can be accessed from the schools The average ACT composite Score for the class of solve problems. intellect, but the whole person. This attentiveness to website at www.animashighschool.com. 2014 is 23.6. 100% of the Class of 2014 took the Students exhibit their work to the public, each student - a place where they both know and are Average Class Size: 20 ACT. The Colorado statewide average score is 20.6. enhancing their verbal and written communication known by faculty and administrators- ensures that Student-Faculty Ratio: 13:1 and demonstration skills. Presentations of Learning students are creative thinkers and scholars, as well as Open enrollment is through random lottery when every semester provide students with an opportunity agents to better their community. the number of interested students exceeds the to analyze and reflect on their learning. available seats.

Our Mission

Our Curriculum

Our Community

Senior Project

Our School

Enrichment & Advancement

Standardized Test Scores

P.O. Box 4414 Durango, CO 81302 - www.animashighschool.com 970-247-2474 (phone) - 970-247-2483 (fax)

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AHS School Profile 2013-2014

Animas High School is characterized by a Animas High School does not report rank in rigorous curriculum. Honors options are available to class. We do not offer Honor Roll designation or juniors in Humanities (English and Social Studies) E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R , other academic awards. M I C H A E L A C K E R M A Averages are not N H E A D O F S C H O O L , J A K E L A U E R and Science, and to seniors in Humanities (English weighted . Courses taken with Honors Option are not weighted. GPA is calculated based only on AHS and Social Studies). Students are also able to pursue concurrent enrollment at local colleges. classes. The average GPA for the Class of 2014 is 3.2. Humanities: English 9, English 10, English 11, Animas High School prepares students for post- English 12 . S ocial Studies: Social Studies 9, Modern Animas High Schools pedagogical approach is secondary success by creating critical thinkers and AHS uses a 4-point grading scale to evaluate World History 10, US History 11, inter-disciplinary at heart. Our faculty-developed, engaged, service-oriented citizens able to meet the academic work, where a grade of A equals 4 Government/Economics 12 integrated curriculum reflects our mission, values and challenges of the 21st century. This is accomplished points, A- equals 3.7 points , with the scale through: academic passions. Our rigorous and compelling continuing as indicated below. The minimum Mathematics: Transitional Algebra, Algebra I, academic program exceeds state standards, ensures passing grade is C-. No credit is assigned below a Geometry, Algebra II, Statistics, Discrete Math, Pre- mastery of critical content, and promotes students A rigorous academic program that inspires a C-, but points are still calculated into the GPA. The Calculus, Calculus preparedness for college and for life-long learning. It love of learning and teaches habits of success. highest attainable grade is an A. We do not award fosters authentic engagement, thoughtful inquiry and Engaging students through project-based A+ grades . Grades and grade point averages are not Lab Sciences: Physics (9th), Biology (10th), in-depth analysis, rather than adhering to more learning and community partnerships that make th), Advanced Physics (12th), Earth weighted . A grade of A represents academic Chemistry (11 traditional approaches that rely on memorization and education uniquely relevant to students. th) achievement of 94% or higher. Systems Science (12 broad coverage. Students are asked to transform and A = 4.00 C= 2.00 A commitment to a collaborative environment apply knowledge that is relevant to their community A- = 3.67 C-= 1.67 Foreign Language: Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish III and their lives. within the school. B+ = 3.33 D+= 1.33 Please note, Spanish III is the highest level of Spanish Our interdisciplinary approach to teaching deepens A culture of excellence that challenges and B = 3.00 D= 1.00 offered. students understanding, because they begin to supports each student. B- = 2.67 D-= 0.67 perceive threads and convergences between content th C+ = 2.33 F= 0.00 Digital Arts: 9 grade areas. Unlike some educational models, where The utilization of applied technology. discrete subjects are taught without regard to A small school environment where strong Some non-core elective classes are graded on a Electives: Global Issues Now, Independent Art connectivity, students at Animas High School emerge faculty-student relationships develop. credit/no credit basis Study, Journalism, Yearbook from our program with a depth of knowledge from a range of disciplinary perspectives. SIG: Student Interest Group Socratic seminars provide students ample A John Irwi n S chool of Exce llen ce opportunity for discussing, articulating and X-Block: Physical Education supporting their ideas and opinions with evidence, Located in Durango, CO, Animas High School opened in 2009 to offer rigorous, individualized and listening considerately to others. Students are at LINK: Internship 11th grade the center of the learning process. college preparation based on the design principles Our school values applied learning. We encourage of the nationally acclaimed High Tech High model. projects that have real-world applications, require Animas High School is a rapidly-growing public academic internships for juniors, and invite charter school serving 276 students in grades 9-12. Subject Area Requirement professionals to evaluate student work and to be In 2013, we graduated our first class of 49 students. English 4 years mentors. Our dedicated faculty and staff are life-long learners Social Studies 4 years Collaboration, combined with individual initiative, who are invested in our school and students. Of our is a hallmark of our school. Peer critique is utilized in Mathematics 4 years 20 full-time faculty, over half hold advanced degrees all courses, and students work as individuals and in Science 3 years of Lab Science or are enrolled in masters programs. Complete small groups to design and complete projects and Foreign Language 2 years of the same faculty profiles can be accessed from the schools solve problems. language website at www.animashighschool.com. Students exhibit their work to the public, Digital Arts 1 year Average Class Size: 20 enhancing their verbal and written communication Student-Faculty Ratio: 13:1 Academic Electives 2 years and demonstration skills. Presentations of Learning Open enrollment is through random lottery when LINK Internship 1 year every semester provide students with an opportunity the number of interested students exceeds the SIG/X-Block 3 years to analyze and reflect on their learning. available seats.

A N I MA S H I G H S C H OOL Academic Standing aNIMAS S C H O O L P R O F I L E 2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4

Course Offerings Our Mission Our Curriculum Grading Scale

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Our School

Class of 2014 GPA Distribution

Graduation Requirements

P.O. Box 4414 Durango, CO 81302 - www.animashighschool.com 970-247-2474 (phone) - 970-247-2483 (fax)

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The primary goal of AHS is to ensure that all In addition to a wide array of electives, AHS students graduate from AHS prepared for success E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R , M I sponsors teams and clubs such as yearbook, C H A E L A C K E R M A N at the college or university of their choice. Of the H E A D O F S C H O O L , Jnewspaper, Student Advisory Council, a Student A K E L A U E R 49 graduates of the Class of 2013, 98% have Ambassador Program, mountain biking, rock matriculated into a college or university. climbing, and backcountry skiing and snowboarding. Students participate in athletics and extracurricular activities in partnership with Animas High School prepares students for post- Durango High School. Animas High Schools pedagogical approach is secondary success by creating critical thinkers and inter-disciplinary at heart. Our faculty-developed, engaged, service-oriented citizens able to meet the integrated curriculum reflects our mission, values and challenges of the 21st century. This is accomplished American Musical and Dramatic academic passions. Our rigorous and compelling through: academic program exceeds state standards, ensures Academy, American University, Amherst College, Faculty, Student & School Recognition mastery of critical content, and promotes students Arizona State University, Ashworth College, A rigorous academic program that inspires a John Irwin School of Excellence, named among preparedness for college and for life-long learning. It Augustana College, Baylor University, Beloit love of learning and teaches habits of success. the top 8% of all Colorado public schools and fosters authentic engagement, thoughtful inquiry and College, Brown University, Carnegie-Mellon Engaging students through project-based in-depth analysis, rather than adhering to more one of only four high schools honored on the University, Chapman University, Claremont- learning and community partnerships that make traditional approaches that rely on memorization and Western Slope McKenna College, Colorado College, Colorado education uniquely relevant to students. broad coverage. Students are asked to transform School of Mines, Colorado State University, Colorado STAR Teacher Council appointee, and apply knowledge that is relevant to their community Cornell College, Cottey College, Embry-Riddle A commitment to a collaborative environment 2011 and 2012 and their lives. within the school. University, Emerson College, Evergreen College, Colorado Charter School Teacher of the Year Our interdisciplinary approach to teaching deepens Finlandia University, Fort Lewis College, Franklin A culture of excellence that challenges and Finalist, 2012 students understanding, because they begin to College, Gonzaga University, Gustavus College, supports each student. Colorado Charter School Leader Finalist, 2012 perceive threads and convergences between content Harvey Mudd College, Humboldt State University, areas. Unlike some educational models, where The utilization of applied technology. National Merit Scholar, 2012 Ithaca College, Kenyon College, Knox College, discrete subjects are taught without regard to Accreditation Lehigh University, Lewis and Clark College, A small school environment where strong connectivity, students at Animas High School emerge Animas High School is accredited through the Colorado faculty-student relationships develop. Marian College, Metropolitan State, Middlebury from our program with a depth of knowledge from a Charter School Institute. College, Montana State University, Mt. Holyoke range of disciplinary perspectives. Socratic seminars provide students ample College, Northern Arizona University, Occidental A John Irwi n S chool of Exce llen ce College, Prescott College, Rensselaer Polytechnic opportunity for discussing, articulating and Institute, San Bernardino Valley College, San Juan supporting their ideas and opinions with evidence, Physical Address: Mailing Address: Located in Durango, CO, Animas High School College, Sierra Nevada College, Skidmore College, and listening considerately to others. Students are at Animas High School Animas High School opened in 2009 to offer rigorous, individualized St. Michaels College, St. Olaf College, Stanford the center of the learning process. 20091 Hwy 160 P.O. Box 4414 college preparation based on the design principles University, Tulane University, Univ. of Calif.- Our school values applied learning. We encourage Durango, CO 81301 Durango, CO 81302 of the nationally acclaimed High Tech High model. Berkley, Univ. of Calif.-Santa Barbara, Univ. of projects that have real-world applications, require Animas High School is a rapidly-growing public academic internships for juniors, and invite Calif.-San Diego, Univ. of Colorado-Boulder, Univ. School Phone: 970-247-2474 charter school serving 276 students in grades 9-12. professionals to evaluate student work and to be of Colorado-Colorado Springs, Univ. of Denver, In 2013, we graduated our first class of 49 students. mentors. University of Montana, University of Oregon, School Webpage: animashighschool.com Our dedicated faculty and staff are life-long learners Collaboration, combined with individual initiative, University of Portland, University of Puget Sound, who are invested in our school and students. Of our is a hallmark of our school. Peer critique is utilized in College Advisors: University of Richmond, University of Tulsa, 20 full-time faculty, over half hold advanced degrees all courses, and students work as individuals and in Elaine Ehlers elaine.ehlers@animashighschool.com Western Washington University, Whitman or are enrolled in masters programs. Complete small groups to design and complete projects and Rachael Sands rachael.sands@animashighschool.com faculty profiles can be accessed from the schools College solve problems. Department Webpage: website at www.animashighschool.com. Students exhibit their work to the public, ahscollegecareerdepartment.webs.com Average Class Size: 20 enhancing their verbal and written communication Registrar: Student-Faculty Ratio: 13:1 and demonstration skills. Presentations of Learning Maureen Truax maureen.truax@animashighschool.com Open enrollment is through random lottery when every semester provide students with an opportunity School CEEB #060493 the number of interested students exceeds the to analyze and reflect on their learning. available seats.

A N I MA S H I GExtracurricular Activities H S C H OOL A College Going Culture aNIMAS S C H O O L P R O F I L E 2 0 1 3 - 2 0 1 4

Our Mission 2013 College Acceptances Our Curriculum

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AHS School Profile 2013-2014

Awards & Accreditation

Our School

Contact Information

A College Going Culture

P.O. Box 4414 Durango, CO 81302 - www.animashighschool.com 970-247-2474 (phone) - 970-247-2483 (fax)