Westgate High School Early College Model - Gifted Education for the Whole Child

1. High School Information MeetingEarly College Model2020-2021 K-12 Gifted Education for the Whole Child It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult. – Seneca

2. Westgate Mission Statement • Westgate Community School is a small school of innovation that seeks to serve gifted students who would benefit from a creative, collaborative and less traditional educational environment.

3. Westgate Vision Statement • At Westgate Community School, gifted learners will explore their passions and develop their knowledge and skills, achieving success by focusing on individualized goals in a community centered on academic, personal, social, and technological excellence.

4. WCS is about Creating & Nurturing Creative, Autonomous Learners Type VI -Autonomous Learners • Intrinsically Motivated • Grades vs. Mastery • Empowered and Self-Directed • Solution-Driven • Reasonable Risk Takers • Creativity requires risk

5. WCS High School Programming A gradual socialization process from middle school through college, without stopping at high school. Three supports for each student: Westgate, FRCC College Now and Home/Family.

6. WCS High School Programming • Early College Model • SmallandBIG • More Opportunities for Advanced Learning • Small Selective Program for Gifted & Creative Students (25 seats) • Less traditional, More freedom, Less restrictive • Associates Degree - AA, AS, AAS, AGS • Certificate Programs • Accounting, Architectural and Building Sciences, Automotive, Computer-Aided Drafting & Drawing, Computer Information Systems (CIS) Certificates, Computer Networking, Virtualization and Cybersecurity (CNG) Certificates, Dental Assistant, Nursing Assistant, Holistic Health (HHP) Certificates, Horticulture and Landscape Technologies (HLT) Certificates, Interior Design, Vet Tech, Nurses Assistant, Hospitality and Culinary, Multimedia Technology, Welding Tech

7. WCS HS Course SequenceClasses Taken at Westgate Each Year

8. WCS HS Course SequenceSample plan to complete an Associate of Arts Degree for Transfer to University

9. Small School Attention - Big School Variety20+ courses, 35+ Departments, & over 2000 credit hours (so far…)

10. What’s The Difference? • Honors, AP & IB • Honors classes offer no college credit • College Credit based on a cumulative Final • At WCS, one semester of college = 3hr/.75; 4hr/1.0 and 5hr/1.25 • Weighted grades – A-5.0, B-4.0, C-3.0 • Other Concurrent Enrollment Options • Taught at high school, by HS teachers, with HS students • WCS Enrollment Options • Taught at the college, by college professors, with other college students – during the school day.

11. WCS Programming • Each Student has a Laptop to use in and out of WCS • E-books, Electronic Textbooks & Resources • A Variety of Course Options • Face-to-Face courses • College and High School levels • Variety of electives (HS vs. FRCC) • Authentic Experiences • Junior Achievement • Plan Prom, Dances, Fundraisers, Service Learning, Senior Internships • Travel for Service Learning – State, National, International • Service Learning School Leaders

12. MAP Growth

13. MAP Growth

14. WCS Programming • Pease Note: This High School Program is VERY different from the K-8 Westgate Program. • There WILL be homework! • High School and College • All students go to FRCC • It is a small program (25 students), but students go to one of the largest community colleges in the state! • Students have to be organized enough to balance all of the moving pieces of being a student in two different schools. • The adults at the college may or may not build the relationships we take great pride in at Westgate

15. Who is Successful in Our Program? • **Student wants to go to college** • Feels ready for college classes • Likes a challenge • Autonomous • Responsible • Self-directed • Ambitious • Resilient • Positive, excited about opportunity • On or above grade level • “Fire in the belly,” driven, has grit • Takes it seriously • Understands that more will be expected of them

16. How it Works • We transport students by bus and pay the tuition • You pay for books and fees (Westgate and FRCC fees) • Westgate pays for classes with grades C and above • Access to all FRCC resources! • Up to 60 credit hours of free college credit! • Earn an Associates Degree • Certificate and Vo-tech options too!

17. Things to Consider • Most students take College Courses every semester at Westgate – the reality of staying back • D/F grades - tuition paid for by family • If a student has a pass rate of less than 67%, they are not eligible for ANY financial aid in the future (until grades improve) • Have HS options – Easy, Target & Reach • Our program is not for every 9th grader, and that’s okay.

18. How it Works • Apply to FRCC (online application for “S number”) • Get Accuplacer Ticket from the website or front desk • Take Accuplacer at FRCC (open Mon. – Sat.) • Apply to WCS – Application on Website, Due Friday, Jan. 31 • Student writes essay • 5 paragraphs describing high school and college readiness • Send 1-3 Letters of Recommendation and additional paperwork to enrollment@westgateschool.org Lottery is Friday, February 7 • Once Accepted, Attend the scheduled FRCC family information meeting • Attend Dean Meeting at WCS in April, 2020 • Students attend Advisor Meeting at Westgate to choose a class for Fall 2020 Take College Classes NOW!

19. High School Options in Adams 12 High School Open House – Each Fall at the District building Choice Programming (Application Opens Dec 1!) First Round (priority consideration): Dec 1st - Jan 31th (for next school year) www.adams12.org Small schools within schools • STEM at Northglenn • Horizon SOAR at Horizon • Global Studies at Rocky Mountain • Legacy 2000 • IB at Thornton • Charters • Traditional High Schools (AP, Honors) – Must fill out Choice Application! (even for your home school)

20. In Conclusion - Steve Jobs

21. Questions? Thoughts? Thank you for coming!