If you would like to see your counselor, please click on the appropriate counselor’s calendar link.
If your student is facing an emergency and outside of school hours, PLEASE complete one of the following options:
Adding/Dropping a High School Class: School counselors make ALL schedule changes. Find their contact information on our website.
Schedule Change Process:
Availability of Classes: While every effort will be made to provide the classes a student has requested during registration, some classes may not be available due to student enrollment numbers, staffing, and budget.
Community Service: STEM follows DCSD’s community service guidelines. Students need 20 hours of community service between the summer prior to 9th grade and the end of grade 12. 5 of those 20 hours can be completed at STEM School Highlands Ranch. STEM Scholar requires 100 community service hours. If approved by a school administrator, additional hours completed at STEM can count toward the STEM Scholar requirement.
Course Load: All STEM school students are required to take a full schedule of eight (8) classes per semester in grades 9 and 10. If earned credits toward meeting requirements for graduation permits, students may be allowed to take six (6) classes per semester in grade 11 and six (6) classes per semester in grade 12. Seniors must take a minimum of six (6) classes in order to be a student at STEM School Highlands Ranch.
Courses taken through outside programs (Non-CE ACC/or CE Option 3):
If a student decides to take a course for high school or dual (college and high school) credit, the student must receive approval from the high school counselor. Examples of outside programs are BYU and eDCSD. The student must complete the “Non-STEM Course Approval Form” and submit it to the counselor. The counselor will check to see if the program credit will transfer to STEM High School. STEM will only accept up to 2.0 credits of outside courses toward a STEM diploma. Please note: For ACC Concurrent Enrollment options, students must consult with our CE Advisor, not the high school counselor.
Early Graduation: Students planning to complete their high school coursework in less than eight semesters must develop an early graduation plan with their principal, counselor, and parents. A student who plans to graduate early must complete all requirements set by the State Board of Education and the STEM Charter School Board.
Enrollment: Students enrolling at STEM School who have withdrawn from a previous school must enroll three weeks prior to the end of a semester in order to receive credit from STEM for the semester. Students who have not been in attendance at a school during a semester may not receive credit at STEM if they enroll three weeks after the semester begins. If a student is over 17, alternatives for earning credit during the semester will be presented. If a student is not yet 17, the student will be enrolled and attend a full schedule, but credit may not be granted.
Fees:
Graduation: Douglas County School District requires that a student must complete all graduation requirements to participate in the graduation ceremony. Completion of graduation requirements must be documented 48 hours prior to the ceremony.
High School Credit for Middle School Students- 2017-18 and beyond
Compliance with DCSD Policy IKF-R-2
A student may earn credits towards a Douglas County School District high school diploma prior to the official start of the 9th grade year.
Incomplete Grades: A student will be allowed to make up an incomplete grade within 10 school days after the end of the semester. If the grade is not made up within 10 school days, the incomplete will become an “F” on the transcript.
Independent Study Policy and Process
Independent study classes are designed to help students explore content that their schedule and/or course offerings do not easily allow. Students can work with a STEM teacher to design a meaningful independent study experience for a class not offered at STEM.
Independent study courses are only available for juniors and seniors and require counselor approval. Students interested in such a course should confirm teacher participation and then see the counselor to understand the process and acquire course paperwork.
Independent study classes are graded on the traditional A-F scale.
PE Waivers: Students may elect to waive up to two semesters of Physical Education through participation in club or high school competitive sports. Details can be found on the PE Waiver form available from the HS Main Office and school website.
STEM Scholar vs. Regular STEM Diploma- If a student has decided to graduate as a STEM scholar, this decision must be declared no later than April of Junior Year or November of Senior Year.
Teacher Aide Maximum: Students in grades 11 or 12 are allowed to be a teacher’s aide up to two times for credit, or .25 each time. If a student decides to be a TA after taking the course twice, the student will not receive credit.
Advanced Placement (AP): The Advanced Placement program is a national academic program sponsored by the College Board. All Advanced Placement course grades are weighted (additional 1.0).
Credit (high school unit of credit): A measure of credit earned in a course. One unit of credit equals two successfully completed semesters of high school work. One semester of successfully completed high school work equals .5 credits or Carnegie units.
Concurrent Enrollment (CE): A student is simultaneously enrolled in a local education provider and in an institute of higher education or career and technical course that will render college credit and satisfy credits toward high school graduation. Please see the Concurrent Enrollment Policy for high school credit equivalency and enrollment information.
All 10th, 11th, and 12th graders only– All Concurrent Enrollment (CE) courses will receive a credit of 1.0 or higher unless otherwise stated in the course selection.
All 9th graders– To align with DCSD graduation requirements, Concurrent Enrollment (CE) courses will receive 0.5 credits, except for the following P-Tech Courses or as identified on the course selection sheet.
| Engineering | Cybersecurity | Game Design |
| CE CAD 2455
CE CAD 2660 CE ELT 1206 CE ELT 2254 CE ELT 2252 CE ELT 2455 CE ELT 2367 CE ELT 2358 |
CE CNG 1021
CE CNG 1022 CE CSC 1026 CE CNG 1024 CE CNG 1025 CE CSC 1060 CE CSC 1061 CE CSC 2000 CE CSC 2017 CE CIS 2020 CE CIS 2040 CE CIS 2043 |
CE MGD 1011
CE MGD 1043 |
PTech: Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH) is an innovative partnership between a school district, a community college, and one or more local high-growth industry employers. Students begin as early as ninth grade and continue for up to six years (i.e., high school and two equivalent years of college). Students graduate with both a high school diploma and an industry-recognized associate degree, in addition to gaining relevant workplace skills.
Cumulative GPA: A student’s earned Grade Point Average for all semesters combined. (This feature is available for high school students only and is presented in both weighted and unweighted formats on the student’s transcript)
GPA: A student’s earned Grade Point Average for one semester or one year.
Class of 2025- 2027 Class of 2028 and beyond
| Grades | Unweighted
GPA |
Weighted
GPA |
Grades | Unweighted
GPA |
Weighted
GPA |
|
| A | 4.0 | 5.0 | A | 4.0 | 5.0 | |
| B | 3.0 | 4.0 | B | 3.0 | 4.0 | |
| C | 2.0 | 3.0 | C | 2.0 | 3.0 | |
| D | 1.0 | 2.0 | D | 1.0 | 1.0 | |
| F | 0 | 0 | F | 0 | 0 |
HEAR Curriculum: The Higher Education Academic Requirements (HEAR) are a combination of courses, primarily in the areas of English, Mathematics, Natural and Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, and World Language, that students are required to complete as preparation for entering one of Colorado’s four-year public colleges or universities.
Prerequisite: A course that must be successfully completed before taking another course, demonstrated proficiency in a previous course or standardized test, and/or teacher recommendation.
Student transcripts and report cards are available through Infinite Campus. For specific requests, please select the request type to contact the appropriate team. Please allow at least five business days for processing and responses.
For students who are interested in dropping any High School credits that were earned in Middle School (because it will negatively affect their GPA), please complete the form via the button below. Please note, the course will still show up on your transcript, but the credit and GPA calculations disappear. Students must make sure that they still have the required credits in that content area.
Beyond advanced placement courses, we offer Concurrent Enrollment (CE), enabling students to take classes both on campus and off campus for college credit while still enrolled in high school.
We have agreements with several community colleges and four-year universities where students can attend. On campus, students are eligible to take CE courses taught by members of our highly qualified high school teaching staff for college credit.
With a guaranteed transfer of credit to Colorado public universities, this opportunity provides both an additional pathway for rigorous coursework and is an ideal way for families to save money on college tuition. For out-of-state schools, students must check directly with the school’s admissions department.
Students can take courses onsite or online at one of our partner colleges/universities. Please note if a CE course is offered at STEM, it may not be approved at the partner institution. You must review your offsite CE course selection with your high school counselor or the career discovery coordinator.
Students are required to maintain full-time status while taking courses offsite. Students may enroll in 12-18 semester credit hours at one of our partner schools to achieve full-time status. If students are enrolled part-time* at a partner school, they may choose to take a combination of STEM and off-campus CE courses. Each student’s schedule is unique and must be reviewed to ensure it meets STEM’s course load requirements (defined above).
*Part-time status is 3-11 semester credit hours.
Concurrent Enrollment (CE) allows high school students (9th-12th grade) to enroll in college-level courses while still in high school. STEM School Highlands Ranch will pay the tuition portion of that college education. To qualify for the Concurrent Enrollment Program, students must:
*Students who fail to meet these requirements might not be eligible to enroll in Concurrent Enrollment courses paid for by STEM.
** If a student has an Individualized Education Plan or Section 504 plan, they are responsible for submitting that plan to the partner institution and working directly with that institution for accommodations.
Students completing college-level concurrent enrollment college-level courses with a grade of C or higher will be awarded credit equivalency as follows:
Class of 2025-27
| 1 college credit | (0.5 credits) 1 semester of high school credit |
| 2-3 college credits | (1 credit) 2 semesters of high school credit |
| 4 college credits | (1.5 credits) 3 semesters of high school credit |
| 5 college credits | (2 credits) 4 semesters of high school credit |
* Students who earn a D will only receive 0.5 credits (1 semester) of high school credit regardless of the number of college credits.
Class of 2028
| 1-3 college credits | 0.5 semester of high school credit |
| 4-6 college credits | 1 semester of high school credit |
* Students who earn a D will only receive 0.5 credits (1 semester) of high school credit regardless of the number of college credits.
All P-tech courses listed below will receive 1 year of high school credit with a grade of C or higher
| Engineering | Cybersecurity | Game Design |
| CE CAD 2455 | CE CSC 1019 | CE MGD 1011 |
| CE CAD 2660 | CE CNG 1021 | CE MGD 1043 |
| CE ELT 1206 | CE CNG 1022 | CE CSC 2017 |
| CE ELT 2254 | CE CSC 1026 | CE CSC 1060 |
| CE ELT 2252 | CE CNG 1024 | CE CSC 1061 |
| CE ELT 2455 | CE CNG 1025 | CE CSC 2000 |
| CE ELT 2358 | CE CIS 2020 | |
| CE CIS 2040 | ||
| CE CIS 2043 |
* Students who earn a D will only receive 0.5 credits (1 semester) of high school credit regardless of the number of college credits.
Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH) is an innovative partnership between a school district, a community college, and one or more local high growth industry employers. Students begin as early as ninth grade and continue for up to six years (i.e. high school and two equivalent years of college). Students graduate with both a high school diploma and an industry-recognized associate degree, in addition to gaining relevant workplace skills.
The P-TECH pathways that are offered at STEM are Robotics and Automation (formally Mechatronics), Cybersecurity and Game Design and Development. Robotics and Automation (Mechatronics) is a synergetic integration of mechanical, electrical, control, automation, robotics, computer systems for industry and computer engineering technologies. Cybersecurity prepares students to access the security needs of computer and network systems, recommend safeguard solutions, and manage the implementation and maintenance of security devices, systems, and procedures. Game Design and Development offers training in game programming and development, 2D and 3D modeling and animation, and allows students to pick an emphasis in multimedia or computer science.
STEM School Highlands Ranch will pay the tuition portion of that college education that is outlined in the P-TECH pathway. Families are responsible for books, fees, and additional tuition costs from online classes, as well as courses that are not outlined in the P-TECH pathway.
To qualify for the P-TECH Program, students must:
*Students who fail to meet these requirements might not be eligible to enroll in Concurrent Enrollment courses paid for by STEM.
Credit Equivalency
Please see “Concurrent Enrollment Credit Equivalency” above
PTECH (Pathways to Technology Early College High School) Pathways
Recommended Course Sequence
** Courses do not need to be taken in order unless there are prerequisites.
Bold = offered at STEM
Italics = offered through ACC
| Robotics and Automation | Cybersecurity | Game Design and Development | |||
| Year 1 | Credits | Year 1 | Credits | Year 1 | Credits |
| EIC 1001 – Electrical Print Reading | 4 Credits | CNG 1024 – Networking I: Network+ | 3 Credits | CSC 1019 – Introduction to Programming: (Programming Language) | 3 Credits |
| ELT 1206 – Fundamentals of DC/AC | 4 Credits | CSC 1019 – Introduction to Programming: (Programming Language) | 3 Credits | CSC 1026 – Game Design and Development | 3 Credits |
| MAT 1150 – Technical Mathematics | 4 Credits | ENG 1021 – English Composition I: GT-CO1 | 3 Credits | MAT 1340 – College Algebra: GT-MA1 | 4 Credits or Higher |
| BUS 1021 – Basic Workplace Skills | 1 Credits | DAT 1001 – Introduction to Data Science | 3 Credits | CSC 1060 – Computer Science I (Language) | 4 Credits |
| ELT 2254 – Industrial Wiring | 3 Credits | CIS 2020 – Fundamentals of UNIX or CIS 315 – UNIX Operating System: CSU Course** |
3 Credits | CSC 2000 – Game Programming I | 3 Credits |
| ENG 1031 – Technical Writing I: GT-CO1 or ENG 1021 – English Composition I: GT-CO1 or ENG 1022 – English Composition II: GT-CO2 |
3 Credits | CNG 1032 – Network Security Fundamentals | 3 Credits | MGD 1043 – Motion Graphic Design I: (Software) | 3 Credits |
| PHY 1105 – Conceptual Physics w/Lab: GT-SC1 or PHY 1112 – Physics: Algebra-Based II with Lab: GTSC1 or PHY 2112 – Physics: Calculus-Based II With Lab: GTSCI |
4 Credits 5 Credits 5 Credits |
MAT 1340 – College Algebra: GT-MA1 | 4 Credits | ART 1201 – Drawing I | 3 Credits |
| BUS 2017 – Business Communication and Report Writing | 3 Credits | ENG 1021 – English Composition I: GT-CO1 or ENG 1020 – Technical Writing GT-CO1 |
3 Credits | ||
| Robotics and Automation | Cybersecurity | Game Design and Development | |||
| Year 2 | Credits | Year 2 | Credits | Year 2 | Credits |
| CAD 2455 – Solidworks/Mechanical | 3 Credits | CNG 1042 – Introduction to Cloud Computing | 3 Credits | CSC 1061 – Computer Science II (Language) | 4 Credits |
| ELT 2348 – Automation Control Circuits | 3 Credits | CNG 2012 – Configuring Windows Server or CIS 401 – Network Systems Administration: CSU Course** |
4 Credits | MGD 1053 – 3-D Animation I | 3 Credits |
| ELT 2367 – Introduction to Robotics | 1 Credit | CNG 1025 – Networking II: Network+ | 3 Credits | CSC 2046 – Mobile App Development | 3 Credits |
| OSH 1300 – 10-HR OSHA Voluntary Compliance | 1 Credit | CNG 2043 – Cloud Security and Cyber Law | 3 Credits | BUS 2017 – Business Communication and Report Writing | 3 Credits |
| ELT 2455 – Fluid Power | 3 Credits | CNG 2057 – Network Defense and Counter Measures or CIS 461 – CSU Course* |
3 Credits | COM 1150 – Public Speaking or COM 1250 – Interpersonal Communication |
3 Credits |
| ELT 2252 – Motors & Controls | 3 Credits | BUS 1021 – Basic Workplace Skills | 1 Credit | CSC 2027 – 3D Game Programming | 3 Credits |
| BUS 2026 – Business Statistics | 3 Credits | ||||
| Restricted Elective | Major Elective | ||||
| Choose 2 of 3 Courses: | Choose One Course | ||||
| CAD 2660 – 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing | 3 Credits | ~Recommended Restricted Elective~ | |||
| MTE 1220 – Lean Manufacturing Practices and Processes | 3 Credits | CSC 1029 – Introduction to Secure Coding | 3 Credits | ||
| PRO 2800 – Quality in Process Technology | 3 Credits | CSC 1061 – Computer Science II (Language) | 4 Credits | ||
| CSC 2065 – Discrete Structures | 4 Credits | ||||
| CSC 2033 – Object-Oriented Prog.: (Lang) | 3 Credits | ||||
| CSC 2045 – Secure Software Development: (Language) | 3 Credits | ||||
| CSC 2046 – Mobile App Development | 3 Credits | ||||
| MGD 2043 – Web Motion Graphic Design II | 3 Credits | ||||
| MGD 1012 – Adobe Illustrator I | 3 Credits | ||||
| MUS 1061 – Computer Music Applications I | 3 Credits | ||||
| CIS 2089 – Capstone | 3 Credits | ||||
| Restricted Elective | |||||
| Choose One Course | |||||
| ~Recommended Restricted Elective~ | |||||
| CSC 1029 – Introduction to Secure Coding | 3 Credits | ||||
| CSC 1060 – Computer Science I (Language) | 4 Credits | ||||
| CSC 2033 – Object-Oriented Prog.: (Lang) | 3 Credits | ||||
| CSC 2045 – Secure Software Development: (Language) | 3 Credits | ||||
| CSC 2046 – Mobile App Development | 3 Credits | ||||
| MAR 2016 – Principles of Marketing | 3 Credits | ||||
| MGD 1012 – Adobe Illustrator I | 3 Credits | ||||
| MUS 1062 – Computer Music Applications II | 3 Credits | ||||
| Robotics and Automation | Cybersecurity | ||||
| Year 3 | Credits | Year 3 | Credits | ||
| ELT 2358 – Programmable Logic Controllers | 3 Credits | CNG 2002 – Unix/Linux Server Admin | 3 Credits | ||
| IMA 1500 – Industrial Rotating Equipment | 3 Credits | CNG 2056 – Vulnerability Assessment Level 1 | 3 Credits | ||
| PHI 1013 – Logic: GT-AH3 | 3 Credits | CIS 2087 – Cooperative Education | 3 Credits | ||
| ELT 2359 – Advanced Programmable Logic Controllers | 3 Credits | CNG 2058 – Digital Forensics or CIS 462 – Computer Forensics: CSU Course** |
4 Credits | ||
| ELT 2367 – Introduction to Robotics | 1 Credit | CNG 2059 – Enterprise Security | 4 Credits | ||
| ELT 2080 – Internship | 3 Credits | ||||
STEM follows DCSD’s community service guidelines. Students need 20 hours of community service between the summer prior to 9th grade and the end of grade 12. 5 of those 20 hours can be completed at STEM School Highlands Ranch. STEM Scholar requires 100 community service hours. If approved by a school administrator, additional hours completed at STEM can count toward the STEM Scholar requirement.
In order to earn the STEM Scholar recognition, students are required to log 100 hours of community service.
STEM Scholar vs. Regular STEM Diploma
If a student has decided to graduate as a STEM scholar, this decision must be declared no later than April of Junior Year or November of Senior Year.
Community Service Requirement
STEM Scholar requires 100 community service hours. If approved by a school administrator, additional hours completed at STEM can count toward the STEM Scholar requirement.
Class of 2025- 2027
| Department | Standard Diploma | STEM Scholar |
| English
**Most colleges require 4 years of English, not just 4 credits** |
4 | 4 |
Mathematics
**Most colleges require 4 years of math, not just 4 credits** |
4 | 4 |
Social Studies
|
3.5 | 3.5 |
| Science | 3 | 3 |
| World Language (must be the same language) | 2 | 2 |
| STEM Electives | 3 | 7 |
| Fine Arts | 1 | 1 |
| PE/Health | 1 | 1 |
| General Electives | 2.5 | 4.5 |
| TOTAL | 24 | 30 |
| Other Graduation Requirements | Standard Diploma | STEM Scholar |
| Community Service Requirements | 20 Hours | 100 Hours |
| ICAP Completion | required | required |
| AP/CE Courses | n/a | At least two courses |
| GPA Requirement | n/a | 3.5 or Higher |
| Demonstration of Competency on Exam
(see explanation and exam list below) |
required | required |
Class of 2028 and beyond
Standard Diploma requirements from above plus the following.
| Other Graduation Requirements | Standard Diploma | STEM Scholar |
| Community Service Requirements | 20 Hours | 100 Hours |
| ICAP Completion | required | required |
| AP/CE Courses | n/a | At least 8 credits |
| GPA Requirement | n/a | 3.75 or Higher |
| Demonstration of Competency on Exam
(see explanation and exam list below) |
required | required |
Make sure Mrs. Myrick (kelli.myrick@stemk12.org) has your After-Grad Planning Packet and you request the letter a MINIMUM of 3 weeks before the application deadline. Please allow 3 weeks for teachers as well.
Contact your counselor if you are having trouble logging in or forgot your login info.
Naviance tasks to complete:
If you have any questions, please reach out to your counselor!
Log in to your My School Bucks account and make sure you don’t have any outstanding fees.
Check with your counselor to make sure you have all the credits you need in order to graduate.
