PROFILE - Ralston Valley High School

RALSTON
VALLEY
HIGH SCHOOL
A Colorado Department of Education “School of Excellence”
PROFILE
Principal: James P. Ellis
2008-2009
Jefferson County
School District
13355 W. 80 th Ave.
Arvada, CO 80005
Telephone: 303-982-5600
Fax: 303-982-5601
Web: www.rvmustangs.org

School District and Community:
Jefferson County District R-1 covers 780 square miles,
extending north and south west of Denver, along the
foothills of the Rocky Mountains. There are 154 schools
in the Jefferson County School District. The district has
a student population of over 84,000. Arvada, where
RVHS is located, is a growing community of over
100,000 citizens northwest of Denver that values
education, the arts, technology, and recreation.
Ralston Valley High School (CEEB 060051)
RVHS opened in the fall of 2000.
In 2005, 2006, and 2007 RVHS was awarded a
Colorado Department of Education rating of “excellent.”
Enrollment: 1,628
Senior: 362
Junior: 411
Sophomore: 428
Freshmen: 427
Administration:
Jim Ellis
Principal
Suzanne Ball Asst Principal
Rick Gager Asst Principal Mike
Finnefrock Asst Principal
Jim Hynes Asst Principal
Counselors:
Henry Petitt (A - Da)
hpetitt@jeffco.k12.co.us
Denae Coates (Db - Hn)
dlcoates@jeffco.k12.co.us
Todd Friesen (Ho - Md)
tfriesen@jeffco.k12.co.us
Bernie Weber (Me - Sa)
bjweber@jeffco.k12.co.us
Becky Schipper (Sb - Z)
rschippe@jeffco.k12.co.us
Calendar:
First semester begins in August and ends before
Christmas. Second semester begins early in January
and ends at the end of May. “Progress Grades” are
given at the end of each six weeks. Final grades are
given at the end of each semester.
Graduation Requirements -
22 Credits Required:
English
Social Studies
Math
Science
Fine/practical Arts
Physical Education
Grades:
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 59 and below
Class Rank:
A 4.0
B 3.0
C 2.0
D 1.0
F 0.0
P Pass
4 years
3 years
2 years
2 years
.5 years
.5 years
Advanced Placement Offerings:
American History
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Chemistry
Comparative Government/Politics
Economics Micro
English
French
Music Theory
Spanish
Statistics (first offered in 08-09)
World History (first offered in 07-08)
Mission Statement
An honors
diploma is
available to
those who
meet additional
requirements.
Grade point average is computed on all
classes each semester, grade 9-12. Most
students take six courses in 9 th and 10 th
grade and five in 11 th and 12 th . AP classes
will be weighted. All courses are included
in the cumulative grade point average.
We will provide a safe learning environment where
students develop a desire to learn and are supported in
their efforts to take full advantage of their educational
opportunities and to become productive citizens.
Schedule:
We operate on a full block schedule with an optional
access period every other day. On a “blue day”
students attend periods 1, 3, 5, and 7. On a “white
day” students attend access period, then periods 2, 4,
and 6. Each period is 90 minutes long with a 10 minute
passing period.

2008 ACT TEST SCORES
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
Colorado State Assessment Test Scores
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
60
55
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
21.7
87
9th
RVHS
71
9th
RVHS
70
20.6
9th
RVHS
19.8
22.6
2008 CSAP: 9th and 10th Grade Reading
73
9th
Jeffco
66
9th
State
86
10th
RVHS
72
10th
Jeffco
2008 CSAP: 9th and 10th Grade Writing
56
9th
Jeffco
49
9th
State
69
10th
RVHS
55
10th
Jeffco
2008 CSAP: 9th and 10th Grade Math
57
48
21.1
9th
Jeffco
20.3
38
9th
State
22.4
10th
RVHS
22.4
40
10th
Jeffco
2008 CSAP: 10 th Grade Science
RVHS = 71 Jeffco = 54 State = 47
Post-Graduation – Class of 2008
87% of Graduates Plan to Attend College
4 Yr College 2 Yr College Tech/Trade
Military Work/Other
2%
13%
2%
74%
9%
22.4
21.3
21.1 21.1
20.8 20.5
20.4
English Math Reading Science Composite
RVHS Jeffco State
66
10th
State
47
10th
State
30
10th
State
The following courses are currently offered at Ralston
Valley High School…
APPLIED TECHNOLOGY
Computer Applications
Advanced Computer Applications
Computer Science
Computer Science Intermediate
Computer Science A – AP
Computer Science AB – AP
CADD Basic Applications
CADD Intermediate Applications
CADD Intermediate Architectural
CADD Intermediate Mechanical
CADD 3-D Applications
CADD 3-D Architectural
CADD 3-D Mechanical
ART
Ceramics
Intermediate Ceramics
Advanced Ceramics
Drawing and Painting
Intermediate Drawing
Advanced Drawing
Intermediate Painting
Advanced Painting
Studio Art
Jewelry
Intermediate Jewelry
Advanced Jewelry
Photography
Intermediate Photography
BUSINESS
Business Fundamentals
Business Law
Digital Video Pre & Post Production
Marketing Principles
CONSUMER & FAMILY STUDIES
Creative Foods
Food Experiences
Foreign/Gourmet Foods
Child Development
Relationships
Teen Choices
World of Work
World of Work/Job
Teacher Cadet
Interior Design I
Interior Design II
ENGLISH
Drama 1: Introduction to Acting
Drama 2: Performance
Drama 3: Advanced Acting/
Performance
Technical Theater
AP English: Language*
AP English: Literature*
Children’s Theater
Comp for the College Bound/
Tech Writing*
Comp for the College Bound/
British Lit*
English 9* and English 9 Honors*
English 10* and English 10 Honors*
English 11*
English 12*
Student Government

Journalism
Newspaper
Yearbook
Sociology*
World History*
World History AP*
MATHEMATICS
Algebra 1*
Algebra 2* and Algebra 2 Honors*
Pre-calculus* and Pre-calculus Honors*
Algebra Principles
Statistics
Algebra 3
AP Calculus AB*
AP Calculus BC*
Geometry* and Geometry
Honors*
Informal Geometry
Geometry Principles
MUSIC
Concert Band
Jazz Band
Marching Band
Concert Orchestra
Chamber Orchestra
Guitar
Survey of Rock Music
Men’s Choir
Women’s Choir
Advanced Mixed Choir
Advanced Women’s Choir
Concert Choir
Music Theory AP
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Aerobics
Intro to Dance
Intermediate Dance
Individual/Dual Sports
Team Sports
Strength/Conditioning Female
Power Weight Training
Weight Training/Sports
Weight Training/Conditioning
Advanced Power Weight Training
SCIENCE
Biology* and Biology Honors*
Chemistry*
AP Chemistry*
Chemistry Principles
Earth Science* and Earth
Science Honors*
Physics*
Anatomy and Physiology*
Science Seminar: Astronomy*
Science Seminar: Field Biology*
Science Seminar: Modern Physics*
SOCIAL STUDIES
American Govt* and American
Govt Honors*
American History*
American History AP*American Justice*
Comparative Government/ Politics AP
Economics
Geography* and Geog. Honors*
Microeconomics AP
Philosophy
Psychology*
WORLD LANGUAGES
French 1, 2, 3, 4*
German 1, 2, 3, 4*
Spanish 1, 2, 3, 4*
French AP
Spanish AP
* Considered College Preparatory -
Transcripts will reflect honors level courses
COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY ACCEPTANCES
American University
Arizona State University
Azusa Pacific University
Baylor University
Bethany College
Boston University
Brigham Young University
California Lutheran University
California State University
California Polytechnic University
Carnegie Mellon University
Colorado Christian University
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado State University
Concordia College
Cornell University
Creighton University
Farleigh Dickinson University
Johnson & Wales University
Kansas State University
Louisiana State University
Massachusetts Institute Technology
Mesa State College
Metropolitan State College
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Northwestern University
Pepperdine University
Point Loma University
Regis University
Rensselaer Polytechnic
Rice University
Rocky Mountain College of Art Design
Saint John’s University
San Diego State University
Seattle Pacific University
Seattle University
Texas A&M University
Texas Christian University
The George Washington University
US Air Force Academy
US Merchant Marine Academy
US Naval Academy
University of Arizona
University of Colorado
University of Denver
University of Florida
University of Georgia
University of Iowa
University of Kansas
University of Missouri
University of Nebraska
University of Nevada Las Vegas
University of New Hampshire
University of Northern Colorado
University of Oklahoma
University of Portland
University of Southern California
University of Texas
University of Utah
University of Wyoming
Vanguard University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute
Washington State University
Western State College