Higher Education Academics
Higher Education Academics (HEA) oversees school-based academic programs meant to challenge students to reach their potential in their pursuit of college and a career. Our mission in HEA is to promote affordable and equitable access to career and college opportunities for all DPS students during their tenure in our district and beyond.
HEA Programs
Explore the various HEA programming to learn more about which academic program is best for your academic journey. Whether you're looking to prepare for college, find ways to access college, or looking toward life after high school, there are plenty of opportunities available to all DPS students.
Advanced Placement (AP) gives students the chance to tackle college-level work while they're still in high school and earn college credit and placement.
Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) is a non-profit organization that provides professional learning for educators to close opportunity gaps and improve college and career readiness for elementary, middle and high school students, especially those traditionally underrepresented in higher education.
Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment (ASCENT) is a fifth-year high school program that allows students to participate in concurrent enrollment the year after 12th grade, to enroll in postsecondary courses and earn college credit at no tuition cost to them or their families.
The Concurrent Enrollment (CE) program provides high school students with the opportunity to enroll in postsecondary courses while in school and earn college credit at no tuition cost to them or their families.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is a global leader in international education—developing inquiring, knowledgeable, confident, and caring young people. IB programs empower school-aged students to take ownership in their own learning and help them develop future-ready skills to make a difference and thrive in a world that changes fast.
The Army JROTC is a program offered to high schools that teaches students character education, student achievement, wellness, leadership, and diversity. In addition to promoting citizenship, JROTC also prepares students students for post-secondary options including college or the workforce.
Through partnerships with local colleges and universities, this early college model allows students to take free college-level courses while in high school, and creates an intentional pathway that leads to a college degree. DPS is proud to be part of this national movement to make college accessible to all students.
In addition to an academic benchmark and DPS graduation readiness indicator, the SAT is a college entrance exam created by the College Board and is used by most colleges and universities in the admissions process.