Colorado Department of Education awards Animas High School $339,000 over three years

Animas High School, a free, public charter school, has received a School Counselor Corps Grant from the Colorado Department of Education.

The purpose of the SCC grant program is to increase the availability of effective school-based counseling within secondary schools with the end goal of increasing the percentage of students who appropriately prepare for, apply to, and continue into postsecondary education.

Only ninety secondary schools statewide receive funds through this program. Animas’ award, $339,000 over three years, will be used in the following ways:

· to hire college experienced counseling staff dedicated to working with individual students (caseload is about 60 students each);

· to support professional development, such as attendance at national and regional conferences to network with college admissions officers;

· to purchase and implement on-line resources for students and families in order to facilitate the college application process;

· to offer afterschool tutoring and test-preparation classes to AHS students;

· to publish college planning and preparation resources for students and families;

· to collaborate with the local community on college readiness, internships, and parent seminars; and

· for every junior to travel to regional college fairs to meet admissions representatives and learn about college and financial aid options.

The grant reviewing committee was impressed by Animas High School’s explicit goal of having 100% of its graduates accepted into 4-year colleges. Offering innovative, engaging education based on real-world projects, the school’s curriculum is designed to ensure that all students meet or exceed the minimum requirements for entrance to colleges in Colorado and across the US.

Michael Ackerman, Head of School at AHS, was ecstatic about the CDE’s financial support of the school: “These grant funds will allow us to fully implement our vision as a college preparatory school. Strong academics supported by a dedicated college counseling staff will help all our students achieve their own college dreams.”

This latest award for Animas High School follows the recognition by the Jared Polis Foundation of Humanities teacher John Fisher, one of fifteen teachers honored statewide.

Animas High School is currently enrolling incoming students for 9th, 10th and 11th grades. For more information, please contact the school directly.