Grandview Course Guide

Dear Student and Parent(s):

Welcome to Grandview High School! This Registration Guide has been developed to assist you in planning a course of study for your high school career.
The guide provides you with the requirements approved by the CCSD Board of Education that you must meet in order to graduate from Grandview High School. It also contains descriptions of all the courses that will be offered at Grandview and specifics on which courses will be available for the 2026-2027 school year. First, study the graduation requirements, the college entrance requirements, the Advanced Placement Program information, the Concurrent Enrollment Program information, and the recommended Grandview High School four- year plan of study. Then, review the course offerings, and plan your own course of study with your parent(s). Your choice of courses should be based on graduation requirements, teacher recommendations, your interests and abilities, your past achievements, your assessment data, and your post-secondary plans.
It is important to note that some of the elective courses listed in this guide may not be offered if the number of students requesting the courses is insufficient. Please indicate alternate electives.

Registration Procedures for 2026-2027

1. Members of the Counseling Department will provide all students with information and guidance regarding course selection and post-graduate planning.
2. Core teachers will meet with each student to determine the most appropriately rigorous course to recommend.
3. Students will choose the elective courses that best match their graduation and future needs and goals.
4. Students will complete the computer registration process to select courses in February.
5. Grandview High School will develop a master schedule of courses based upon course requests.

Please take the time to choose your courses wisely for next year. Talk to your teachers and counselor if you need advice. The counseling department, the faculty, and the administrators are available to offer assistance in your decision-making process. Please contact us at (720) 886-6500 if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Dr. Lisa Roberts

Principal

Grandview High School

Grandview Counseling Department

GHS Counseling Vision:

Dedicated to preparing Grandview graduates to thrive as engaged, productive, and responsible citizens contributing to an evolving global society. 

The Grandview Counseling Department is available to all students and families to assist with course planning, post-secondary planning, and course registration. Please check out the link to find your student’s assigned counselor as well as contact info.  Course Selection Process and Schedule Change Policy

Grandview Mental Health Department

Grandview High School Mental Health Team consists of four full-time school based Mental Health professionals. These professionals include two School Psychologists and two School Social Workers. Grandview embraces a preventative and early intervention model, designed to meet the mental health, social-emotional and behavioral needs of all students. These professionals provide crisis intervention and support. Additionally, the team is also available for consultation on many issues which may affect learning and school success. We also recently added a grant-based position whose sole role is to work with students, staff and families around Substance Abuse prevention and intervention. Please check out the link or scan the QR code to find your student's assigned mental health support person as well as contact information:

Grandview Mental Health Team

Cherry Creek School District

Graduation Requirements

Students may participate in Grandview High School graduation ceremony when all of the above Cherry Creek Graduation Requirements have been completed. Students who must attend summer school to complete all of their graduation requirements are eligible to participate in a summer commencement held in August.

The Cherry Creek School District strongly encourages students to participate in a rigorous academic core curriculum.

Commitment to Core Enrollment

Grandview High School and the Cherry Creek School District share a strong belief that student enrollment in The Academic
Core "is essential preparation for college and a career."
The Cherry Creek School District Board of Education strongly encourages the following rigorous academic core curriculum:

The College Board (SAT Test) defines The Academic Core as 20+ credits in English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, and World Languages.
Grandview High School expects that all 9th, 10th, and 11th graders enroll in a minimum of four (4) core courses/credits each year (one in each of the areas identified above). 12th graders must enroll in a minimum of four core courses/credits or a minimum of three AP courses. In addition, Grandview recognizes World Languages as a part of the Academic Core and strongly recommends that students complete a minimum of level two or three of a world language. Any consideration of a waiver of these expectations will be approved on an individual basis by the principal or administrative designee.

COURSE LOADS

1. All 9th graders must carry a minimum of seven (7) courses per semester with at least four (4) of those courses in the core curriculum.
2. All 10th and 11th graders must carry a minimum of six (6) courses per semester, with at least four (4) of those course in the core curriculum.
3. All 12th must carry a minimum of six (6) courses for first semester and five (5) courses for second semester, with at least four (4) of those courses in the core curriculum or (3) AP courses.

Options to Demonstrate Career and College Preparedness

To earn a high school diploma from any high school in the Cherry Creek School District, a student must successfully obtain a minimum of 22 credits and demonstrate career and college preparedness in Reading/Writing/Communication and Mathematics. Many options are available to CCSD students to demonstrate career and college preparedness.
Students are encouraged to plan with their families, teachers, and school counselors to determine the best options for meeting graduation requirements and being well-prepared for career and college opportunities. Students should monitor the completion of each component of the graduation requirements throughout their four years of high school.

1 Minimum Credits

Course Requirements for Graduatino in Cherry Creek School District (Board Policy IKF)

A minimum of 22 credit units shall be necessary for high school graduation

2 Competency Menu Options

In addition to required coursework, all students must demonstrate career or college readiness in Reading/Writing/COmmunicating (R/W/C) and mathematics through at least one menu option below. For more information, visit CCSD Board Policy Exhibit IKF-E.

Grandview High School

My Career and Academic Plan (MyCAP): Graduation Requirements and Post-Secondary Planning Guide

As you plan your four years of study at Grandview, keep in mind not only the grarudation requirements, but also your post-secondary goals. Most colleges and universities require more than is required for high school graduation. The Colorado Higher Education Admission Requirements (HEAR) for each subject are listed in italics.

College Admission Criteria

The Colorado Commission of Higher Education (CCHE) has developed the Higher Education Admission Requirements
(HEAR). To gain admission to any four-year public institution in Colorado, students must demonstrate successful
completion of the following coursework:

NOTE:
1. An academic credit, often referred to as a Carnegie unit, is equivalent to one full year of credit in a specific subject.
2. For examples of acceptable HEAR courses, academic electives, and answers to frequently asked questions, go to
https://cdhe.colorado.gov/students/preparing-for-college/admissions-eligibility#freshmen
It is important to note that admission officers at these institutions will continue to give preference to students who have demonstrated competence in a rigorous course of study over students who attain a good grade point average by taking less demanding courses.
*Please be aware that these requirements differ slightly from Cherry Creek School District graduation requirements.

FACTORS INFLUENCING COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

Each year, the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) surveys colleges and universities to determine the top factors influencing admission decisions. According to a 2023 “State of College Admission Report”, the following factors, in order of importance, were:

Sample College Admissions Admission criteria to colleges and universities vary. On a continuum of expectations and
requirements, the following examples provide general indicators. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many
schools have chosen to make ACT and SAT scores optional in the admissions process.

•  Most Selective Colleges/Universities

Examples: Harvard University, Stanford University, Duke University, Vanderbilt University, Colorado School of Mines
Minimum of 18 core units: English 4, Math 4, Social Studies 3-4, Science 3-4, World Language 3-4, 4+ Advanced
Placement Courses
Grades and test scores: GPA 4.0+, SAT 1300+, 32+

• Selective Colleges/Universities

Examples: University of Denver, University of Colorado at Boulder, Brigham Young University, Baylor University,
University of Nebraska, Creighton University
Minimum of 16 core units: English 4, Math 3-4, Social Studies 3, Science 2-3, World Language 2-3, Advanced Placement
Courses highly recommended
Grades and test scores: GPA 3.5+, SAT 1100+, ACT 23+

• Competitive I Colleges

Examples: Colorado State University, University of Colorado at Denver, Arizona State University, University of
Wyoming, Regis University
Minimum of 15+ core units: English 4, Math 3-4, Social Studies 3, Science 2-3, World Language 2-3, Advanced
Placement recommended
Grades and test scores: GPA 3.3+, SAT 1100+, ACT 23+

• Competitive II Colleges

Example: University of Northern Colorado, Colorado Mesa University, Metropolitan State University Denver, Fort Lewis
College, Adams State University, Western State Colorado University
Minimum of 14 core units: English 4, Math 3-4, Social Studies 3, Science 2-3, World Language 2
Grades and test scores: GPA 3.0+, SAT 1100+, ACT 20+

Grandview High School offers 31 AP courses sponsored through the College Board®. By doing college-level work in high school, AP students take risks in a familiar setting, gaining confidence and a rewarding experience in addition to possibly earning college credit and placement.

• How will AP courses benefit you in high school and beyond?
AP courses are college-level courses that prepare students for the AP exam at the end of the year. If students receive a passing score (3, 4, or 5) on the AP exam, they may receive college credit, which can save money once in college. Each college or university has its own criteria for awarding AP credit.
• Why do students take AP courses?
Students are challenged at levels they may not have been before, and they appreciate the opportunity to obtain college credit in high school. Students also find that AP courses are interesting and go into more detail than other classes.
• What is the time commitment?
Oftentimes, there are AP practice sessions outside the school day, but students find these extra sessions invaluable. Most classes are done after students take the AP exam in May. Additional information is available from the Assistant Principal, Jenna Chipman, in 1204 or from the Grandview Counseling Department.

* Designates a weighted course

Concurrent Enrollment/Dual Enrollment

This is a CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT program where a student can earn high school credit through GHS and college credit through the Community College of Aurora (CCA) and/or the Arapahoe Community College (ACC). Grandview High School offeres college credit for the following:

In order to qualify for college credit, a student must receive a predetermined score or grade on one of the following:

• ACT/SAT/PSAT exam, grade waiver from junior level course and/or the prerequisite high school course.

The following DUAL ENROLLMENT courses are offered through University of Colorado Denver:

*DE Intermediate Mandarin Chinese 1	*DE Intermediate Mandarin Chinese 2
*DE Intermediate French 1	*DE Intermediate French 2	*Differential Eq./Calc. 3 Honors
*DE Second Year Spanish 1	*DE Second Year Spanish 2

The following DUAL ENROLLMENT courses are offered through Metropolitan State University of Denver include:

DE ProStart 1

DE ProStart 2

Below are the important facts you should know:

• Students will also receive high school graduation credit for CE and DE course(s).
• Students may enroll in any of the courses listed above without earning college credit.
• Students must be enrolled for the entire semester/year and finish with a grade of C or higher to earn college credit.
• CE -> Students are required to complete a college application for each course which includes the following –registration for the College Opportunity Fund (COF) and understanding that credits earned will be deducted from the COF lifetime account (145.0 credit hours) for courses being taken at Institutions of Higher Education. The college credit will be awarded through the schools noted above.
• DE -> Students are required to complete a college application for each course which includes application to the college and
  payment for the credit (approx. $75/credit hour). College credit will be awarded through the schools noted above.

CCIC Course Catalog

Academic Policies

Weighted Grades/Transcripts

The Cherry Creek School District offers students and parents the opportunity for an unofficial transcript that reflects a weighted grade point average. Weighted grades are given in those courses designated as either Honors or Advanced Placement. The difference between weighted and unweighted grades in terms of grade point value is as follows:

Academic Letter

Academic Letter eligibility is determined using Weighted/Unweighted cumulative GPAs at the times listed below. Summer
school classes are not included for the previous year. A student is eligible for receiving an academic letter after completing two semesters at GHS, is a full-time student of Grandview High School, and carries a full course load of CP level courses or higher without the use of any modified grading scale. Students who have received a letter in other areas (Athletics, Performing Arts, and Speech & Debate) will not receive another felt letter, but they will receive corresponding pin or bar and a verification certificate.

1. Completion of 9th Grade with a Weighted 4.0
2. Completion of 10th Grade with a Weighted 4.0
3. Completion of 11th Grade with a Weighted 4.0 
4. Completion of 1st semester of 12th grade with a weighted 4.0

Graduation Honors

The following awards will honor students as listed below. Only these awards may be worn over gowns at the graduation ceremony.

4.00 and above weighted GPA……………......…...Blue and White Cord
3.75 to 3.99 weighted GPA…………….…………..Black Cord
Department Awards……………………….………. White Cord
Faculty Awards………………….…………….…….Gold Cord

Early Graduation Procedures

The Cherry Creek Board of Education policy regarding graduation provides for early graduation requests. For students wishing to apply for early graduation, the procedure is as follows:
1. The student will meet with their counselor to develop a plan for early graduation. The counselor and student will complete the Summary of Credits section of the Early Graduation Request Form. The Early Graduation Request Form will be given to the
student in or for them to obtain the required signatures. Note: Students must meet graduation requirements for their original graduation class.
2. The student will return the completed Early Graduation Request Form, along with the following:

• Student letter requesting early graduation including rationale and post-graduation plans
• Parent letter of support
• Transcript of credits to date
• Current class schedule

3. The completed application will be forwarded to the Principal Designee for final approval. The Principal Designee will schedule a conference with the student and their parent(s)/guardian(s) to discuss the early graduation request and the responsibilities of the student upon approval.
4. Seniors desiring early graduation at the end of the first semester must submit the above documents no later than September 30th of their Senior year. Juniors desiring to graduate at the end of their junior year must submit the above documents no later than September 30th of their Junior year.
5. Copies of the approved Early Graduation Request will be forwarded to the following offices:

1. Counseling
2. Records Office
3. Activities Office/Graduation secretary
4. Administration (Assistant Principal)
5. Yearbook staff

Early Graduation Guidelines for Approved Seniors

1. Seniors graduating one semester early will take final exams during the December exam period.
2. Seniors must return for final check-out with their counselor in December. Seniors will need to show their bookkeeping check- out form to verify outstanding fine status for final graduation clearance.
3. Seniors must contact the graduation secretary in the Activities Office to arrange for second semester receipt of the senior bulletins and graduation information. They must also finalize all cap and gown orders, diploma information, etc.
4. Seniors may participate in second semester evening school activities using their student ID.
5. Seniors graduating a semester early may use school resources (Post- Grad Center/ Library, etc.) during the school day, but must obtain a Visitor’s Pass from GHS security to do so.

Early Graduation Guidelines for Approved Juniors

1. Juniors will take final exams during the Senior final exam period.
2. Juniors will check out of school during Senior check-out.
3. Juniors may participate in commencement if desired and arrange to do so with the Activities Office. Juniors are responsible for all cap and gown fees and must attend all graduation meetings and practices as outlined in the Senior bulletin.
4. Juniors may be included in the Senior section of the yearbook if a Senior picture is submitted to the yearbook staff according to the yearbook staff timeline.
5. Juniors graduating early may participate in Senior end-of-the year activities.

Credit: Recognition that a student has fulfilled a requirement leading to high school graduation. Grandview students must earn a minimum of 22 credits in order to graduate.

• Credit: A credit equals two successfully completed semesters (36 weeks) of coursework.
• 1/2 Credit: One-half credit equals one semester (18 weeks) of successfully completed coursework.
• Cumulative Grade Point Average: The average obtained by dividing the total number of grade points earned in high school by the total number of credits attempted.
• Current Grade Point Average: The average obtained by dividing the total of the grade points earned during the current grading period by the total number of credits attempted during the current grading period.
• Grade Points: Points assigned to each course credit in accordance with the letter grade earned in the course.

The Cherry Creek School District offers students and parents the opportunity for a transcript that reflects an unweighted and a weighted grade point average. Weighted grades are given in those courses designated as either Honors or Advanced Placement. The difference between weighted and unweighted grades in terms of grade point value is as follows:

Rank in Class: A student’s relative standing in his/her class. Class rank is determined by comparing the cumulative grade point
averages of all students in the class and ranking them in order from highest to lowest.

Course Catalog Terminology/Icon Definition

*AP (Advanced Placement Course) : The Advanced Placement program is a national academic program sponsored by the College Board. Students are encouraged to take the AP exam at the end of the year to be considered for Advanced Placement credit at the college level. All AP courses have weighted grades (see page 15 for more details).
CP: Designates a college prep level course.

Concurrent Enrollment (CE course): Students will have the opportunity to earn high school credit while at the
same time enroll in and earn community college credits (see page 16-17 for additional information).

Dual Enrollment/Dual Credit: see page 16-17 for additional information, additional fee applies. Students will
have the opportunity to enroll in and earn college credits through the University of Colorado-Denver/Metropolitan State University of Denver while earning the high school credit.

: Course required for graduation.

*Honors: Designates an honors level course. All honors courses have weighted grades (see definition on page 19).

NCAA approved course: All student-athletes considering playing at the collegiate level need to be aware of the NCAA
rules governing approved courses (see NCAA information on pg.13-14).

Prerequisite: A prerequisite is what must be completed before enrolling in a course. This may include a prior course, teacher
approval, or placement test.