High Schools
Alternative High Schools
Online High Schools
Douglas County School District is committed to providing our students with authentic, project-based learning, allowing them to explore industries, gain real world knowledge and 21st Century Skills they’ll need to compete for the college or career of their choice.
We strive to give our students the experience they’ll need to be the best business and community leaders possible.
Career & Technical Education Page
DCSD offers the following Career & Technical Education programs:
Agriculture Education
Automotive Technologies
Broadcast Media Production
Business Education
Catering
Digital Media Technologies
Early Childhood Education
Engineering Technologies
Family and Consumer Sciences
Graphic Design
Interior Design
Marketing Education
ProStart Culinary Arts
Photography
Teacher Cadet
Technology Education
Theater Technologies
Web Technologies
Contact Us
Sheri Bryant
Career & Technical Education Coordinator
303-387-0135
620 Wilcox Street
Castle Rock, CO 80104
Graduation from Douglas County high schools is a culminating event that results from the foundations built at the elementary and middle levels. Graduation is a collaborative effort among levels in a student’s school career. Each level of school and each staff member or parent/guardian who instructs or counsels a student shares responsibility for the ultimate ability of that student to demonstrate proficiency in the content standards and to meet the expectations for graduation. The high school diploma awarded by DCSD represents a high standard of quality in curriculum content, instruction, and student learning.
New Graduation Requirements - Beginning with the Class 2021
The Douglas County School District is committed to ensuring that every student is college and career ready. Beginning with the Class of 2021, students must meet four requirements in order to graduate and receive a high school diploma.
1. Create an Academic Plan
Students will create and complete an Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) and/or Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that meets the District’s graduation requirements.
2. Earn 24 Credits
Students must satisfy all of the following requirements:
a. 16 Credits in the following CORE Curricular Areas as follows
- Language Arts 4.0
- Mathematics 3.0*
- Science 3.0
- Social Studies 3.0 **
- Practical Arts 1.0
- Fine Arts 1.0
- Physical Education 1.0
b. 8 Credits in Electives
3. Perform Community Service
Students must document a minimum of twenty hours community service while enrolled as a high school student.
4. Demonstrate competence in English and Math
Beginning with the class of 2021, in addition to satisfying the district's graduation requirements, district students will also be required to demonstrate college and career readiness via one of the approved methods outlined in the chart below in order to receive a diploma from a district school. Students must provide documentation of meeting or exceeding the required level of readiness in both Mathematics and English through one of the following:
| English | Math | |
|---|---|---|
| Accuplacer |
62 on Reading Comprehension or 70 on Sentence Skills |
61 |
| ACT | 18 | 19 |
| ACT WorkKeys | Bronze+ | Bronze+ |
| Advanced Placement | 2 | 2 |
| ASVAB | 31 | 31 |
| Concurrent Enrollment | Passing Grade | Passing Grade |
| International Baccalaureate | 4 | 4 |
| SAT | 470 | 500 |
| District Capstone* | Individualized | Individualized |
| Industry Certificate | Individualized | Individualized |
*Under development
College and career demonstrations necessary to earn a standard high school diploma may be adjusted to accommodate English learners, gifted students and students with disabilities.
Adopted: October 18, 2016
Graduation Policies
Process
Calendars are approved by the Board of Education as required under Colorado Revised Statutes.
For the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years, a calendar committee was formed, composed of leaders, teachers, classified staff members and parents. This committee worked to develop three conventional calendar options for each school year. A survey was developed and distributed to staff and parents of neighborhood schools (non-charter schools). The survey received 10,111 responses. Additionally, feedback was received from the Student Advisory Group. The District Accountability Committee (DAC) approved “Calendar Option 2” on May 1, 2018 based on the feedback and recommendation from the Calendar Committee. This calendar was then approved by the Board on May 8, 2018.
Please note that these calendars do not apply to charter, magnet, or alternative schools, which manage their own calendars.
Please note that for 2018-2019, all DCSD schools will follow the conventional calendar, with the following exceptions: Renaissance Primary Magnet School, D.C. Oakes, Eagle Academy, and charter schools. Please contact these schools individually for their calendars.
2018-2019 School Year Conventional Calendar
View the calendar here | Black and white version
2019-2020 School Year Conventional Calendar
View the calendar here | Black and white version
2020-2021 School Year Conventional Calendar
High School is a time of transition, growth, and exploration that helps students prepare for post-secondary education, career opportunities, and a life on their own. Our educators understand this and are committed to being responsive in meeting the needs of every student. Communication and resolution of concerns are a priority. We believe that complaints are best handled when both sides work together to find a solution at the level closest to the situation.
As per Policy KE: The Board believes that complaints and grievances are best handled and resolved as close to their origin as possible. Therefore, to ensure quick and effective problem solving, please channel concerns or complaints involving instruction, discipline, or learning materials as follows:
When possible, encourage your son/daughter to address the concern or solve the problem independently.
Contact the teacher directly either by phone or email.
If still unresolved contact school administration for additional assistance.
If you feel you have exhausted efforts for resolution at the school level, feel free to contact Corey Wise, the Director of High Schools. We will work together with school personnel and your family to ensure best results for your child’s education.
Board Policy
Community Service Requirements
Through community service, students are given opportunities to become responsible citizens by helping others while learning selflessness and fostering personal growth. Every student attending a Douglas County School is required to fulfill a 20-hour community service requirement outside of their home and family environment in order to graduate. To be counted toward the graduation requirement, this service must commence after the successful completion of eighth grade. All hours must be documented on a DCSD Community Service Form along with the Student Reflection to be processed. Any activity that meets the DCSD Guidelines will be accepted. All hours documented will be noted on the student’s transcript.
Douglas County High School ThunderRidge High School
Dr. Steven Fleet, Coordinator Donna Ferguson, Coordinator
steven.fleet[at]dcsdk12[dot]org donna.ferguson[at]dcsdk12[dot]org
303-387-1152 303-387-2207
Tracy Hagan, Administrative Assistant Debbey Quintana, Administrative Assistant
tracy.hagan[at]dcsdk12[dot]org debbey.quintana[at]dcsdk12[dot]org
303-387-1008 303-387-2207
DCHS IB website TRHS IB website
IBO Mission Statement
The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the IBO works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.
These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
IB Learner Profile
The International Baccalaureate Organization aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end the IBO works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programmes of international education and rigorous assessment.
These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
IB Programmes are offered at Douglas County High School and ThunderRidge High School.
There are PYP, MYP and IBDP schools in the Douglas County School District:
PYP
MYP
IBDP