Jeffco Public Schools offers curriculum and academic programs designed to give students the skills they need to compete in college or the workplace. Our mission is to provide a quality education that prepares all children for a successful future.
The following summaries explain what a student should know and be able to do in each grade. This curriculum is aligned with state standards. See curriculum by grade level to understand a student's classroom learning path. Curriculum specialists for each subject area can be located through the district's online directory if you would like additional information.
The Colorado Academic Standards (CAS) are the expectations of what students need to know and be able to do at the end of each grade according to the Colorado Department of Education. State standards are the basis of the annual state assessment such as TCAP. There is also a national inititive, The Common Core State Standards Initiative, designed to align academic standards across U.S. educational systems. Jeffco Public Schools is on the forefront of implementing curriculum that aligns with standards to ensure our students are prepared for success in college and careers. Read more about Colorado and the Common Core Standards.
The Common Core aligned state assessment developed by Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) will be administered to students in the state of Colorado in the spring of 2015. This assessment will target English Language Arts and Mathematics in grades 3-11.
Jeffco Public Schools offers many educational options from preschool through post-secondary education. Read more about our learning opportunities including the Gifted Program, Online Education and Special Education.
Jeffco Public Schools is committed to preparing students for the 21st century. The district requires the following high school credits to receive a diploma:
Graduation Requirements for 2013 and Beyond
Content |
Credits |
| English Language Arts | 4 |
| Mathematics | 3 |
| Science | 3 |
| Social Science | 3.5 |
| Physical Education/Health | .5 |
| Fine/Practical Arts | .5 |
| Approved Electives | 8.5 |
| In grades 9 - 12, students shall take at least four classes in core contents or three Advanced Placement courses or International Baccalaureate courses every semester. | |
See also the district's policy IKF on graduation requirements and regulation IKF-R about core requrirements.
Schools will develop a six year Graduation Plan for each student beginning in seventh grade.
Response to Instruction, or RtI, is a national and state model in which all students can learn and achieve high standards through effective teaching. Individual student progress is monitored and results are used to make decisions about further instruction and intervention. Schools teams — made up of teachers, counselors and support staff — identify, coordinate and respond to the needs of students. Teams can more quickly evaluate the effectiveness of instruction and make changes if needed. As the students’ needs dictate, more tiers of interventions are available for students.
View a 
video that provides more details about RTI. Read More.
Jeffco Public Schools strives to select the best learning resources available for students and has developed a selection process to ensure our textbooks and educational material meet our goals. Read more.
Technology is allowing Jeffco schools to make improvements in the way we teach and track student achievement. It is allowing our students to learn skills that will help them succeed in the global work-place.
To help us provide the best technology to support student learning, Jeffco Public Schools is partnering with leaders in the technology field. Read more about our partnership with inBloom.
Jeffco neighborhood elementary schools issue report cards three times each academic year, or roughly every 12 weeks. Elementary report cards specify: what all students should know and be able to do (as delineated within the Jeffco curriculum); student's performance against the Colorado State Standards (not comparing student to student); and provides the parent or guardian an accurate assessment of how their child is progressing. Read More.
For most Jeffco middle and high schools, progress reports are issued at the end of each six week grading period with a report card issued at the end of each trimester/semester. A student's middle and high school grades can be reviewed on the district's online parent portal.
Parents of high school students may wish to view the policy on high school grading for details on weighted classes, class rank and grade point average.
Jeffco Public School students complete a number of tests designed to provide the student and the teacher with valuable information that helps to ensure a successful education. Find out about our tests.
Colorado evaluates the performance of students, schools and school districts through the District Performance Framework and the School Performance Frameworks. They hold districts and schools accountable for performance on the same, single set of indicators and measures. The Transitional Colorado Assessment Program (TCAP), is a key measure used in the Frameworks. Read more.
See a list of schools recognized in 2012 for outstanding achievement.
Instead of having only the resources of their own school library available, Jeffco Public School students and their parents have access to all the materials within all Jeffco Public School libraries through Jeffco Library Services.
We want each student to graduate from high school and to have a successful future. To help students reach their educational goals we offer Credit Recovery or Dropout Prevention and our online high school. Contact individual schools, or call Student Services at 303-982-7263 for additional information.
Heather Beck
Chief Academic Officer
Priscilla Straughn
Executive Director, Educational Research and Design
Laura Trinkle
Secretary to Priscilla Straughn
303-982-6994
Contacts for subject areas:
Art
English Language Arts
Library Services
Math
Music
Science
Social Studies
Physical Education
World Languages