Friday, August 3, 2012

Another Year of Firsts at Animas High



  Animas High School, Durango’s innovative and much heralded public charter high school of choice, is preparing for another year of firsts. With the addition of the incoming Class of 2016, AHS will mark its first year at full enrollment. Joining the school’s 266 students are 13 new staff members who will add to Animas High’s rigorous academic programs and exemplary culture of excellence. AHS adds new classes to its award-winning program this year. Spanish 4, Economics and Government, Earth Science and Senior Seminar join the line-up of core classes with electives like Global Issues Now, Journalism, Advanced Physics and the Artist’s Portfolio rounding out additions to the school’s program of studies. New community partnerships and career exploration opportunities abound through the school’s LINK internship program and a unique line-up of Power Lunch speakers are sure to inspire students this year. New projects, advisory curriculum, technology, classroom resources, and a new orientation format are sure to excite students and their families.
This summer’s campus remodel added a new lunchroom, new Foreign Language, Science, Humanities and Math classrooms, new offices for the school’s Registrar, College Counseling Dept. and the Exceptional Students Dept., and also included an overhaul of the school’s “Heershop”, home base for AHS’s Physics programs, championship Robotics team and the school’s first Technology Specialist. This will be the first full year of publication of the Quill, AHS’s student newspaper that joins other popular clubs and student interest groups like Yearbook, Poetry, Gardening, African Dance, Philosophy and Digital Arts. Geocaching, Trail Running and Paddle Boarding join Swimming, Backcountry Skiing, Rock Climbing and Mountain Biking as after school clubs and teams at AHS this year.

     Animas High is the first high school in Durango honored as an Irwin School of Excellence, an award bestowed to the top eight percent of public schools in Colorado.  The success and impact of AHS’s 21st century approach to secondary education continues to benefit the school’s students. After three years of Exhibitions, Presentations of Learning and Project-Based Learning, AHS’s Class of 2013 works towards 100 percent college admission this fall and will be celebrated as Animas High’s first graduating class this spring. With so many firsts, it’s no wonder why enrollment at Animas High School is stronger than ever. Holding its first admissions lottery this past spring, the school maintains a robust waiting list for admission into the 9th grade. However the school continues to accept applications for enrollment into a limited number of openings in the 10th and 11th grades. For more information about Animas High School’s exemplary programs of excellence, please visit: www.animashighschool.com