Requirements for
Technology Innovations Academy

  1.  Minimum of 2 college level courses – This includes Accelerated, AP, or Post Secondary Educational Options (PSEO)/college classes before graduation.  Technology students must have at least one college level course in a Technology related area.
    1. Accelerated, Advanced Placement, PSEO or CU Succeed Core Classes
    2. Advanced Technology Courses – Level 3 High School Courses and/or CU Succeeds and PSEO Technology Courses
  2. Minimum of 4 technology courses in at least 2 of the following areas:
    1. Web Programming (Web Design and 3D Animation)
    2. PC Programming/Gaming Design
    3. Pre-Engineering (computer, mechanical, electrical, and structural)
    4. Bio-Technology/EMT
    5. Audio Engineering
    6. Videography/Cinematography Engineering
    7. Journalism
  3. Students seeking certification are required to take a minimum of 7 to 9 courses (this depends on the areas of concentration).
  4. Technology Innovation students who successfully complete 6 college level courses with a 2.7 GPA or higher will receive special honors upon graduation:
    1. Distinction – Successfully completing 6 college level courses with 2.7 GPA or higher
    2. High Distinction – Successfully completing 6 college level courses with 3.0 to 3.5 GPA
    3. Highest Distinction – Successfully completing 6 college level courses with 3.5 GPA or Higher
  5. Successfully complete Montbello High School core requirements:
    1. Four years of Math
      1. Algebra – 9th Grade
      2. Geometry – 10th Grade or Advanced 9th Grade students who passed Algebra in 8th grade
      3. Accelerate Geometry (Geometry X) – Advanced 10th Grade students
      4. Advanced Algebra – 11th Grade or Advanced 10th Grade students
      5. Algebra X 3/4 -- Advanced 11th Graders or Advanced 10th Grade students
      6. Trigonometry/Analytical Geometry – Must have completed Advanced Algebra
      7. PSEO College Algebra – Must have completed Advanced Algebra and meet AccuPlacer or ACT score
    2. Four years of English
      1. Introduction to Literature – 9th Grade
      2. Accelerated Introduction to Literature – Advanced 9th Grade Students
      3. American Literature – 10th Grade
      4. Accelerated American Literature – Advanced 10th Grade Students
      5. World Literature – 11th Grade Students
      6. Advanced Placement (AP) Literature – Must have successfully completed American Literature
      7. AP Language – Must have successfully completed American Literature completed American Literature
      8. PSEO College English – Must have successfully completed American Literature and meet AccuPlacer or ACT score
      9. CU Succeeds Fundamentals of Communication – Must have successfully completed American Literature
      10. Interpersonal Communication – Must have completed Fundamentals of Communication
      11. CU Succeeds Public Speaking – Must have successfully completed American Literature
    3. Four years or Social Studies
      1. Geography – 9th Grade
      2. AP Geography – Advanced 9th Graders and 10th through 12th grade elective students
      3. American History – 10th Grade Students
      4. Accelerated US History – Advanced 10th Grade Students
      5. Civics/American Government – Must have completed US History
      6. AP Government and Politics – Must have completed US History
      7. AP World History – Must have completed US history
      8. PSEO College History – Must have successfully completed US History and meet AccuPlacer or ACT score
      9. CU Succeeds African American/Chicano History – Must have successfully completed US History
      10. CU Succeeds Criminal Justice – Must have successfully completed US History
      11. CU Succeeds Ethnic Studies – Must have successfully completed US History
    4. Four Years of Science
      1. Earth Science – 9th Grade
      2. Accelerated Earth Science – Advanced 9th Grade students
      3. Biology – 10th Grade students and 9th Grade students who passed Earth Science in 9th Grade
      4. Accelerated Biology  -- Advanced 10th Grade students
      5. AP Biology – Advanced 10th Grade students and 11th and 12th grade students who have completed Earth Science and regular Biology
      6. CU Succeeds Biology – Must have successfully completed high school Biology
      7. Anatomy/Physiology – Must have completed Biology (11th and 12th Grade Students)
      8. Chemistry – Must have completed Biology (11th and 12th Grade Students)
      9. AP Chemistry – Must have completed Biology (11th and 12th Grade Students)
      10. PSEO College Science Course – Must have successfully completed high school biology and meet AccuPlacer or ACT score
    5. Minimum Two Years of Foreign Language
      1. Spanish I – Entry level Spanish Course for non-Native Spanish speakers
      2. Spanish II – Must have completed Spanish II
      3. Spanish 3x – Must have successfully completed Spanish II
      4. AP Spanish – Must have successfully completed Spanish 3x
      5. Spanish for Native Speakers – Must be a native Spanish Speaker
      6. Spanish Reading and Composition X – Must have completed Spanish for Native Speakers
      7. French I – Entry level class
    6. One entry level computer/business course
      1. Introduction to Computers
      2. Business Management
      3. Media I
      4. Web Design I
    7. Minimum of 1 Years of Visual or Musical Arts
      1. Arts/Crafts I
      2. Arts/Crafts II
      3. Ceramics I
      4. Ceramics II
      5. Drawing/Painting
      6. Beginning Band
      7. Concert Band
      8. Orchestra
      9. Gospel/Jazz Choir
      10. Film Production
      11. Music Sight
    8. Minimum 1 year of Physical Education or Equivalent
      1. Team Sports
      2. Fitness and Conditioning I
      3. Fitness and Conditioning II
      4. Body Works
      5. Dance
      6. JROTC
    9. Minimum of 4 years of Montbello High School Mentoring (Students may be exempt from mentoring if their college schedule conflicts with the 5th period mentoring)  Mentoring classes will focus on study skills, college preparedness, and life skills

Students assigned to the Technology Academy will be taught by a core team of Technology Academy teachers who share a common group of students and plan collaboratively to develop strategies to support their academy students.  These teachers will receive ongoing training on how to incorporate technology into the classroom as instructional tools and for use in class projects.  Additionally these teachers incorporate college expectations into the classroom to help prepare students for success in technical, vocational, 2-year, or 4-year colleges and universities.

Why Technology Innovations Academy
At Montbello we believe that all students should be prepared to be successful in college upon graduation of high school.  In order to be successful in college students must experience the high expectations in terms of course work and expectations while in high school.  The Early College Academy aims to prepare students for the expectations they can expect at a liberal arts college or university.  Students will be challenged to read, write, and problem solve at high levels in order to prepare them for success in college.

Questions:

Can Technology Innovations Students also take Early College Academy Courses?
Yes. Students in the Technology Innovations Academy are required to take a minimum of 2-4 college level courses. Dependant on their area of concentration, technical expertise and acumen they may (and are highly encouraged) to take more

What support is provided for students who struggle academically?
There are several support opportunities available for students who struggle academically.  Students may sign for Study Hall on their schedule where they will use PLATO software to regularly work on areas in math, English, social studies, and science that they struggle with.  Students may come into the Student Service Centers in rooms 209 and 210 for tutoring in the mornings, lunch, and after school until 4pm.  Teachers will use test data and grades to identify students who struggle in classrooms and target them for extra help during elective periods.  Montbello High School offers English Intervention and Math Intervention classes to help students attain proficiency in these areas.  Read 180 is made available t students who read two or more grade levels below at the 9th and 10th grade levels.  Academy teachers will arrange to provide extra tutoring for students who meet with them personally to set up a time to tutor.

What college options are available and what is the cost?
Students may take college level classes offered in all of the core subjects and in elective areas as well.  The college level classes include Accelerated and Advanced Placement classes taught by teachers who have received AP training from the College Board as well as CU Succeed (University of Colorado-Denver) and Community College of Aurora classes that are taught by professors from the respective schools (some Montbello High School teachers have been hired an adjunct professors by UCD and some professors come to the school directly from the college campus).  Students who take classes at CCA travel to the campus for the classes and return to Montbello High School in the afternoon to take classes our campus.  Students who take college classes can usually get them paid for through the Post Secondary Educational Options (PSEO) fund.  Students who take classes at CCA qualify to have their classes completely funded through PSEO, including the cost of books.  Students at CCA do have to receive an acceptable Accuplacer Score (See Assistant Principal Ms. Geffre or ask your counselor for details) or an acceptable ACT score in order to qualify to take classes and to receive this funding.  There may be a cost to the AccuPlacer assessment depending upon when you take the course (See Ms. Geffre). Students who take CU Succeeds courses pay of $75 in order to take the course, the school pays the remainder of the costs for the class.  The fee does include the books.  Students taking AP Courses are charged $85 for the course; however, the school will pay the cost of these courses for all students who take the AP exam.  Students who do not take the exam will have to pay the full $85, no exceptions.  Students who are eligible for free/reduced lunch MUST complete a fee waiver form with the Treasurer.  Failure to do so will result in the student being charged $72 for the AP course.

How will taking these courses affect my GPA?
Students who take college level courses receive weighted grades?  Therefore earning a “C” for instance in a regular course is equivalent to earning a “B” in a non-weighted course.  Students with more college-level courses have the opportunity to earn higher GPA’s and therefore have a greater chance of successfully competing for admission into colleges and universities and also for scholarships.  Student-Athletes with higher GPA’s are also more likely to meet NCAA College Clearinghouse requirements.

Why take college-level courses?
The best predictor of success in college and on college admissions courses has to do with taking rigorous classes.  High school students who successfully completed college-level classes in the core areas graduate college at much higher levels than students shoo do not.  In addition to this, students who have taken several college-level classes score higher on required college admission tests such as the ACT and SAT.  All four year institutions determine acceptance into their school and provide scholarships to students admitted in part based on ACT or SAT scores.  If you are serious about going to college and being prepared you need to take college-level courses while in high school.  Also students who successfully pass college-level classes have higher class rankings than those students who do not.  Class rank is important because it qualifies students for certain scholarships and honors upon graduation and even admittance into prestigious colleges and universities.


Montbello High School | ©2007 Denver Public Schools