We Believe
That the real power of online curriculum is the opportunity to personalize the experience for each student.
That a school can have both high expectations and a nurturing environment.
That school is not always the most important thing in a student’s life.
That the world has changed more rapidly than our current educational system.
That rather than preparing students for life beyond high school, a school should operate like an adult workplace.
That students should not have to sacrifice a great academic experience or social experience to pursue their passions.
That students should have a loud voice in decisions made about their school.
That when students are treated like adults, they act like adults.
That students need teachers to be a mentor/coach, not to just share content knowledge.
That school needs to change
How Does It Work?
Hybrid/Blended program that maximizes the best of online learning (personalization) and in-person experiences (collaboration)
Started as a pilot program in 2015-2016 and asked the question: if we could build school from scratch, what would it look like?
Grew from 25 9th graders in the pilot program to 530 students currently enrolled and a substantial waiting list
Had our first graduating class in May, 2019
Online Core Classes
Competency/mastery-based curriculum: We use Accelerate Education for our courses and each course has a teacher that oversees the curriculum
Students must show mastery to move forward in their courses (pre and post tests)
Honors options are available for each core class, 8-10 AP options each year
Flexible due dates (due date for the course, not individual assignments)
In-Person Electives
Signature Electives
9th Grade: Freshmen Seminar, Global Health
10th Grade: Contemporary Problems, Communication in a Complex World
11th Grade: Personal Finance, Civics
12th Grade: Career Explorations, Internship opportunities
Electives
World Languages: Spanish, French, American Sign Language (beginner through advanced)
Studio Art/Music: Art 1-4, Graphic Design, Digital Photography, Art in Public Places, Ceramics, Guitar, Piano, Music Appreciation, Fiber Arts
PE happens primarily offsite (Hybl Center, Crunch Fitness, Play it Now Sports, Dance Unlimited, Bowling/Putt Putt, Fitness Hiking/Walking, etc)
Science in Sports, Engineering, Forensic Science, Popular Culture, Science in the Imagination, Global Art Perspectives, Multicultural America, Science in Society, Abnormal Psychology, Renewable Energy, Sports/Leadership Psychology, Film as Literature, Voices in Conflict, Sports Marketing, Emerging Leaders, Contemporary Women’s Voices, Explore Mars Science, Native American Studies, International Relations
Individual Projects (Beekeeping, Podcasts, Adulting 101, Interior Design, Olympic Mindset, Architecture, Filmmaking, Archery, Gardening, Jam Band, History/Culture of BBQ)
Our "Load Bearing Walls"
Independence: workers that need little supervision or direction
Literacy: daily reading & appreciation for the written word
Wellness: the lifelong pursuit of physical and mental health
Collaboration: the ability to effectively work with others
Communication: students need to be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Passion: to understand what motivates each individual and how to make the world a better place
Our Staff
42 staff members
Principal and Assistant Principal
3-4 teachers in each core content area, 2 Art, 2 PE, World Language, Intervention
2 Counselors: 9/10/Social Emotional and 11/12/College & Career
Security, receptionist, building manager, registrar, bookkeeper, admin assistant
Flexible Schedule
Flexible Schedule: Our building is open from 7:30-3:30 Monday-Thursday and we operate on an alternating block (Mon/Wed Blue Day and Tues/Thurs Silver Day)
Most students attend electives 4-5 out of 10 periods and then have open periods for online work, teacher help, outside activities, etc.
We offer blended math for students that want in person instruction for each of our levels of math
Fridays are a flexible day and are used for extra help or staff planning days.
Friday Intensive Electives: Clean up Colorado, Ceramics, Outdoor Fitness, Fit/Hike/Walk, Rocky Mountain High, International Foods, Art in Public Places, Field Based Environmental Science, Space Business
Sample schedule A
8:15 Arrival
8:15-9:30 Blended Geometry
9:45-11:00 Weights
11:00-12:00 Lunch, office hours with teachers
12:00-1:15 Open period, work on core classes
1:30-1:45 Mentor meeting
2:00 Depart
2:30 Piano lessons
Friday Intensive (Ceramics)Sample Schedule B
7:30 Morning training session with coach
9:15 Arrival
9:15-9:30 Mentor meeting
9:45-11:00 Spanish 1
11:00-12:15 Lunch w/ friends
12:15-1:30 Engineering
1:30-2:45 AP Biology
2:45-3:30 Office hours, work on core classesSample Schedule C
8:30 Arrival
8:30-9:00 Catch up with friends in student union
9:00-9:30 Talk to Algebra 2 teacher
9:45-11:00 Personal Finance
11:00-12:15 Lunch
12:00-1:30 PE Class
1:30-2:45 Band (AAHS)
Evening: Personal learning
New Building
We moved into our new building in September, 2020
1355 Kelly Johnson Blvd, the former Air Academy Federal Credit Union
Operate like an adult workplace, bought a workplace
Remodeled the building with our school model in mind
Athletics
In the fall of 2023, we offered our first athletic program, JV girls’ volleyball
During the 2024/2025 school year, we will have Varsity/Sub-Varsity Girls’ Volleyball and Varsity/Sub-Varsity Boys’ Basketball (Coach Shannon Baker and Coach Jimmy Grantz)
Our hope is to continue to add more sports teams in the future based on student interest and district funding (Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country, Boys’ and Girls’ Golf, Boys’ Volleyball/Girls’ Basketball
We also have plans drawn up to build an expansion/gym, but we will privately fundraise for this project
Enrollment Process
We have a unique application process. We do not participate in the Academy District 20 School Choice process.
Submit online application starting at 7:00 am on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.
If it looks like we have a potential slot for the student, families will be invited in for a follow up meeting
After the meeting, families will receive letter of acceptance offering a slot
If the slot is accepted, enrollment is changed for in-district students to VHS, out of district students need to enroll in the district and designate VHS as the school of enrollment
If we don’t have a slot, the student will be placed on our waitlist and notified via email
Village Middle School
Several families have asked about a middle school option similar to Village High School
Village Middle School (VMS) in Academy School District 20 ishoused in the Center for Modern Learning in Wolf Ranch, and offers a flexible program similar to VHS
Their School Information Night is on January 11 at 4:15 pm or 6:15 pm
Their application is open for next year and available on their website
VMS students don’t automatically get a slot at VHS, and must use our application process
Other VHS Info
Athletics other than volleyball and basketball: If we don’t offer the sport, our students have access to options in other buildings. If you live in D20, athletes are placed where they live. If they live outside of D20, they can play in another district or be assigned a school in D20.
College Admissions: Our students are getting into their top choice schools. We have several students at the Air Force Academy, one at Navy, several at Colorado School of Mines, Stanford and other institutions with more selective admission processes.
Graduation: We have our own ceremony that is very personal for each student and reflects our relational culture.
Prom/Clubs/Activities: These are up to our students. If they want them, they help lead and plan them.