Colorado Springs Early Colleges

2013-14 Course Guide

Academics Department                                

Colorado Springs Early College (CSEC) meets all students where they are at academically and moves the students toward their college or vocational path as quickly as possible.  Whether the student needs academic support to reach their grade level or they are college ready, we offer programs to guide students toward their career goals.

An early college high school program provides students the opportunity to receive a high school diploma and an associate's degree or up to two years of credit toward a bachelor's degree in the span of up to five years. Students take a combination of high school and college classes in order to obtain their high school diploma and associate's degree at no cost to the student.

CSEC strives to create a community of lifetime learners and a school culture that fosters academic and personal success for every student by maintaining high standards and by holding students accountable.  We offer a high level of support and care so that each student can meet those standards.

Think College!  Think Career!

The CSEC Academics Department serves the CSEC student body in the following areas:  
Course grids, graduation, teacher support, CSAP testing, tutoring, etc.

Valedictorian/Salutatorian Selection Criteria

The Valedictorian and Salutatorian are selected each year from the graduating class. The Valedictorian ranks first in scholarship and is considered the top student of his/her class; the Salutatorian ranks second in scholarship and is considered the second highest student in his/her class. Criteria are based primarily on cumulative GPA, but the number of college credits earned and scores on ACT tests are also considered at mid-3rd quarter of the graduating year. Thus, more than one student may qualify for the valedictorian and salutatorian distinctions.

  The following point system will be used to determine valedictorian/salutatorian:

Cumulative GPA shall be determined at the end of the 1^st semester of the graduating year. The top ten approved CSEC graduates shall be ranked by GPA and given the following point values. 1^st: 30 points; 2^nd: 27 points; 3^rd: 24 points; 4^th: 21 points; 5^th: 18 points; 6^th: 15 points; 7^th: 12 points; 8^th: 9 points; 9^th; 6 points; and 10^th: 3 points.

The number of high school and college credits earned, demonstrating a grade 70% or higher, taken by the top ten GPA CSEC graduates shall be determined at the mid-3^rd quarter of the graduating year. The following point values will be awarded. 1^st: 20 points; 2^nd: 18 points; 3^rd: 16 points; 4^th: 14 points; 5^th: 12 points; 6^th: 10 points; 7^th: 8 points; 8^th: 6 points; 9^th; 4 points; and 10^th: 2 points.

The top score on the ACT tests earned by the top ten GPA approved CSEC graduates shall be  determined at mid-3^rd quarter of the graduating year.  Due to deadlines, the last ACT score to be considered for this honor is a February score. (However, any potential graduating Jr. will need to have their ACT results turned in by February).  The following point values will be awarded: 1^st: 10 points; 2^nd: 9 points; 3^rd: 8 points; 4^th: 7 points; 5^th: 6 points; 6^th: 5 points; 7^th: 4 points; 8^th: 3 points; 9^th: 2 points; 10^th: 1 point.

The point totals from the above three categories will be used to determine Valedictorian and Salutatorian. The Academic Dean and the Academic Advisors will meet with the qualifying students after the 3^rd quarter of their graduating year to inform them of their honor and to begin preparing for graduation.