College Placement
DSST Public Schools will prepare all graduates to continue their education at a four-year college or university. Students, parents and DSST staff are involved in the process of preparing to meet that goal from freshman through senior year. DSST graduation requirements exceed the Colorado Minimum Academic Preparation standards for entrance to four-year schools. In addition to four years of rigorous academic curriculum, the schools engage students in the exploration of college options through the advisory College Success curriculum and College Planning Seminar classes at all grade levels, culminating in a required Senior College Seminar class in senior year to support students as they apply for college admission and financial aid. Students participate in required college field trips to Colorado college campuses at all grade levels. All college planning curriculum, activities, and support of students applying to colleges and universities and for financial aid is aligned with the National Association of College Admission Counselors (NACAC) Best Practices.
9th Grade Preparation
The goal of the College Success Curriculum during the freshman year is to provide a program that assists students in developing a college- bound mindset. Through exercises implemented during Freshman Seminar and prep academy advisory sessions, students learn that “9th Grade Counts” in the college preparatory process. All freshmen enroll in Naviance, a comprehensive college and career planning system for students and their families. As part of the Naviance program, 9th graders begin to explore options and interests using personal and career inventories. In addition, students receive an overview of financial resources available for college. Beginning with 9th grade, all students attend the DSST College Fair consisting of Colorado colleges and universities and visit a four-year university campus in the spring.
10th Grade Preparation
In Sophomore Seminar, students continue to explore different types of colleges and universities. Lessons focus on college selection factors and the connection between students’ interests, college majors and future career options. Students evaluate and reflect upon their academic progress and current college admission qualifications, developing improvement goals if needed.
11th Grade Preparation
All juniors take the PSAT again in October, as well as the Colorado state-mandated ACT in April. They are also required to take an official ACT with Writing in June. Additional college entrance testing, including the SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests are scheduled individually. DSST college placement counselors support 11th grade advisors in exploring college options with their students and meet with families to list schools of interest. The school provides information and support on researching college options,scheduling campus visits, and preparing for the senior application process through six Junior College Seminar classes The English curriculum includes a unit on “Writing the College Application Essay.”
12th Grade Preparation
Families continue their research of college options and finalize their list of intended applications. Students participate in weekly meetings of Senior College Seminar in the first trimester, with two additional classes per trimester in Tri 2 and Tri 3. All applications are completed before winter break. Applications to DSST partner colleges are completed by late October and students receive admission decisions from these schools by early December. Beginning in January, the school supports families in applying for federal student aid and other scholarships. On or before May 1 of the senior year all seniors will have decided where to enroll for post-graduate education.
Contact
Kateri Joda Williams, Director of College Placement
williams.kateri@scienceandtech.org
303-524-6341
CEEB Code: 060-604
Resources
- To research information on planning, applying, and paying for college
- To research college enrollment and payment opportunities in Colorado
- To register for SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject Tests
- To register for ACT Tests
- To submit a Common Application to member schools
- To get general information about college preparation, selection, and payment plans
- To secure a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for parents and students that can be used as an electronic signature to submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid on-line
- To apply for federal student aid, the "FAFSA on the Web" site
- To search for scholarships and loans at schools that match the student's interests
- To submit the CSS Financial Aid profile required by some colleges in addition to the FAFSA
- Denver Scholarship Foundation
- Application Process Roles (PDF)
- Class of 2011 Profile (PDF)