Academic Departments
Sand Creek High School Academic Departments
Sand Creek Zone is building a zone-wide learning system with clear goals and well defined processes that are consistent throughout the zone. The learning system supports effective school innovation plans - plans designed to develop students with the attributes defined in the Sand Creek graduate profile. The zonewide learning system includes assessments designed to measure what is important and the progress of each school in achieving its goals and the goals of the innovation zone.
We're Building an Efficient and Effective Curriculum
The Sand Creek Zone possesses much curricular strength. However, in the present reality of shrinking revenue and State budget cuts, it is critical that our innovation zone identifies what it does best for students. It is also our goal to create a college-ready culture among our entire student body.
When developing a coherent focus for a K-12 innovation zone it is important to begin with the end in mind. In other words, what programs are currently producing student results at the high school level? Currently, Sand Creek High School has implemented a comprehensive fine arts and visual arts program. Current students have earned awards and recognition throughout the state in the fields of visual and performance art. Again, a golden opportunity exists in the Sand Creek Zone to fully develop a Business and Engineering pathway in which students can take multiple courses in Marketing, Business, Communications, Cyber Security, Graphic Design and Engineering.
Sand Creek High School is promoting instruction of the highest quality
Sand Creek High School will be comprised of Professional Learning Community schools. Our school will include collaborative teacher teams focused on student learning through the implementation of research-based instructional strategies, as well as committed to continuously improving student achievement results as measured by multiple assessments.
Rick DuFour believes the creation of effective Professional Learning Communities (PLC) is a high-yield strategy in ensuring continuous improvement in student achievement. DuFour asserts, “There is growing consensus that the most promising strategy for sustained, substantive school improvement is developing the capacity of school personnel to function as a professional learning community.” Schools fully engaged as PLC’s intensely focus their efforts on addressing the following questions through their everyday means of conducting business:
- What knowledge, skills, and disposition must each student acquire as a result of this course, grade level, and/or unit of instruction?
- What evidence will we gather to monitor student learning on a timely basis?
- How will we provide students with additional time and support in a timely, directive, and systematic way when they experience difficulty in their learning?
- How will we enrich the learning of students who are already proficient?
- How can we use our SMART goals and evidence of student learning to inform and improve our practice?
Sand Creek High School is hiring and developing excellent teachers who fit the Sand Creek Zone teacher profile. Our teachers…
- Support the mission and vision of the Sand Creek Zone through their professional practice.
- Commit to developing successful and productive citizens through inquiry-based learning
- Model AVID strategies through instructional practices
- Know their content at a college level and to update that knowledge regularly
- Believe and demonstrate that all students can learn to high standards
- Effectively instruct, develop, and model 21st Century Skills in all students
- Facilitate student learning and results
- Use appropriate data to deliver high-quality instruction
- Provide relevant, application-based learning opportunities for all students
- Use technology to amplify the educational experience for all students
- Create and maintain an environment conducive to learning
- Deliver well-aligned curriculum, instruction, and assessment as defined by the zone and respective schools
- Motivate and engage students for post-secondary pursuits
- Develop and maintain excellent relationships with all students
- Commit to closing the achievement gap through sound interventions
- Use best instructional practices in an innovative fashion
Sand Creek Zone Graduation Requirements
Graduation Requirements & Demonstration of Mastery
Under Colorado’s new graduation requirements, students will have to demonstrate competency in English and Math by scoring at or above the examination minimums set by the state from one of the following (in both content areas): ACT, SAT, Accuplacer, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, ASVAB, or ACT WorkKeys. Mastery may also be demonstrated by the completion of a Capstone Project, earned Industry Certification, or successful completion of 100 level Concurrent Enrollment courses.
Students must also demonstrate mastery in each content area and earn a minimum of 24.5 credit to receive a high school diploma. Your student’s individual Pathway Plan, also known as ICAP, must be updated each year and will drive the counseling and advising of courses and credits for your student’s high school plan. Students must review pathway plans of study to meet college requirements, military requirements, and/or career and workforce readiness. Students wishing to continue onto post-secondary education will need to research the entrance requirements for that specific institution. Both two-year and four-year colleges and universities have different requirements and minimum exam scores.
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Class of 2021 and Beyond |
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English |
4.0 Credits |
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Math |
3.0 Credits |
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Science |
3.0 Credits |
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Social Studies |
3.0 Credits |
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World Language Or Practical Arts |
2.0 Credits |
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Physical Education |
1.0 Credits |
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Fine Arts |
1.0 Credits |
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Health |
0.5 Credits |
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Electives |
7 Credits |
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TOTAL |
24.5 Credits |
Menu of Options for English and Math
Mastery in the area of English and Math must be demonstrated by meeting one of the benchmark minimum scores once in both content areas. The Menu of Options include:
English:
SAT 470 Accuplacer 62 on Reading Comprehension or 70 on Sentence Skills
ACT 18 Next Generation 241 on Reading or 236 on Writing
ASVAB 31 ACT WorkKeys Bronze
AP 2 IB 4
Math:
SAT 500 Accuplacer 61 on Elementary Algebra
ACT 19 Next Generation 255 on Arithmetic or 230 on QAS
ASVAB 31 ACT WorkKeys Bronze
AP 2 IB 4
Capstone Project, Industry Certification and Concurrent Enrollment: Students may also demonstrate mastery in English and Math by completing a Capstone Project, earning an Industry Certification recognized by business and industry, and/or successfully passing an English Concurrent Enrollment course and/or Math Concurrent course with a C or higher. Please see BOE Policy IKF-R.
Approved Mastery Demonstrations:
English
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Examinations |
Capstones |
College-Level Course Work |
Workforce Certification |
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Accuplacer Reading Comprehension 62 |
Approved Capstone Project |
Completion of English (100 level or higher) course work with passing grade of C or higher |
Approved Workforce Certificate |
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ACT English 18 |
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AP Exams 2 or higher |
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ACT WorkKeys English Bronze or higher |
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SAT 470 |
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Next Gen 241 Reading or 236 Writing |
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ASVAB English 31 |
Math
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Examinations |
Capstones |
College-Level Course Work |
Workforce Certification |
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Accuplacer Elementary Algebra 61 |
Approved Capstone Project |
Completion of Mathematics (100 level or higher) course with passing grade of C or higher |
Approved Workforce Certificate |
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ACT Math 19 |
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AP Exams 2 or higher |
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ACT WorkKeys Math Bronze or higher |
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SAT Math 500 |
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Next Gen 255 on Arithmetic or 230 on QAS |
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ASVAB Math 31 |
District 49 Board of Education Policy IKF
District 49 Board of Education Policy IKF-R
Menu of Options for Other Content Areas
Students demonstrate mastery and earn credits through the successful final course exam outcomes or by demonstrating success on other designated examinations (listed below), successful completion of college-level course work or by earning an approved workforce certification. Students may also earn credits by demonstrating mastery of standards through completion of an approved Capstone project. The following tables establish the baseline expectations for demonstrations of mastery toward high school graduation.
Approved Mastery Demonstrations:
Science
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Examinations |
Capstones |
College-Level Course Work |
Workforce Certification |
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ACT Science 20 |
Approved Capstone Project |
Completion of Science (100 level or higher) course work with passing grade of C or higher |
Approved Workforce Certificate |
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SAT 1030 |
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AP Exams 2 or higher |
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IB Exams 4 or higher |
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CMAS Science Score (Meets or Exceeds) |
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End of course exams/ final grades of C or higher
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Social Studies
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Examinations |
Capstones |
College-Level Course Work |
Workforce Certification |
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Successful Completion of National Citizenship Exam (Civics) |
Approved Capstone Project |
Completion of Social / Behavioral Sciences, History, or Political Science (100 level or higher) course work with passing grade of C or higher |
Approved Workforce Certificate |
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AP Exams 2 or higher |
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IB Exams 4 or higher |
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End of course exams/ final grades of C or higher
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World Language / Practical Arts
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Examinations |
Capstones |
College-Level Course Work |
Workforce Certification |
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AP Examines 2 or higher |
Approved Capstone Project |
Completion of Foreign Language course work (100 level or higher) with passing grade of C or higher |
Approved Workforce Certificate |
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IB Exams 4 or higher |
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End of course exams / final grade of C or higher |
Fine Arts
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Examinations |
Capstones |
College-Level Course Work |
Workforce Certification |
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AP Exams 2 or higher |
Approved Capstone Project |
Completion of Arts (100 level or higher) course work with passing grade of C or higher |
Approved Workforce Certificate |
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IB Exams 4 or higher |
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Solo / Ensemble Competition 1 |
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End of course exam / performance assessment/ final grade of C or higher
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Health
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Examinations |
Capstones |
College-Level Course Work |
Workforce Certification |
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End of course exam/ final grade of C or higher |
Approved Capstone Project |
Completion of Health (100 level or higher) with passing grade of C or higher |
Approved Workforce Certificate |
Physical Education
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Examinations |
Capstones |
College-Level Course Work |
Workforce Certification |
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Successful completion of an athletic season
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Approved Capstone Project |
Completion of Physical Education (100 level or higher) course work with passing grade of C or higher |
Approved Workforce Certificate |
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Participation in a school sponsored / approved activity (i.e. JROTC Drill, Civil Air Patrol, Marching Band, etc.)
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End of course exam / performance assessment/ final grade of C or higher
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Mastery Demonstration by Course Exam
According to policy IKF-E, D49 students must successfully complete 24.5 credits and demonstrate mastery in all content areas to earn a high school diploma. Demonstration of mastery for English and math are determined by the state of Colorado. For all other content areas, mastery may be demonstrated by completion of college-level course work, earning a workforce certificate, successful completion of a school-approved capstone project, or by meeting approved course exam benchmarks.
Approved exams include:
- Final Grade or Cumulative Exam Score of a C or higher
- AP National Exam Score of a 2 or higher
- IB Exam Score of a 4 or higher
Note: A successful AP or IB exam score is equivalent to one demonstration of mastery in that content area.
Please click the link to view District 49 BOE Policy IKF-E. This policy provides examples and guidance in for mastery by exam in each content area.
Sand Creek High School Credit Check Sheet