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“I plan to finish up my biomedical program, and then I will explore different careers and pathways that are in the biomedical field. The Nurse Aide program taught me how to show compassion and empathy for others, especially in their time of need. While I am still undecided about which university I plan to attend, I will likely study nursing, criminology, or both.”
Valeria C. | Current CTE Student at WHS
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SCOTT TROY
BIOTECHNOLOGY
Recipient of the Society for Science STEM Research Grant, Scott Troy brings decades of academic and industry experience to prepare students for rewarding careers in Biotechnology.
ROBBIE FERGUSON
AVIATION ENGINEERING
2021 Colorado AFA Educator of the Year, Robbie Ferguson first spent 6 years working in IT at Sun Microsystems/Oracle and GPS company Trimble before finding his way back to teaching. After receiving his Master's degree in Instructional Technology from Grand Canyon University with a 4.0 GPA, Ferguson began teaching at WHS where he was introduced to the Aerospace Frontiers Committee. Ferguson has been instrumental in building the Aerospace pathway from the ground up- working with partners such as Project Lead the Way, Wings Over the Rockies, Spartan College, Edge of Space Sciences and NASA.
SERGIO FIGUEROA
CYBER-TECHNOLOGY
Sergio Figueroa, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, has dedicated the past 11 years to educating students in Information Technology and Cybersecurity at Westminster High School. Armed with a Master of Science degree in Information Assurance with a concentration in Cybersecurity from Regis University, he's committed to preparing the next generation of digital defenders.
WONDERING HOW A COMPETENCY BASED SYSTEM WORKS?
PERSONALIZED LEARNING
Sofia is 9 years old.
In a traditional school, she would be in fourth grade. In our Competency-Based System, since Sofia is great at math, she is already working in Math Level 5, which is above-average. Literacy is a challenge area, so Sofia is getting extra help from teachers as she works in Literacy Level 3. She’s right on track in Science and Social Studies. Like most students, Sofia has subjects she excels in as well as areas where she needs more help.
INDIVIDUAL PACE
Meeting Students' Needs, Now and In the Future
With a traditional school district, Sofia would move through the same content in the classroom along with all the other students at the teacher’s pace. With CBS, Sofia can learn at a customized pace, mastering groups of knowledge and skills called learning targets. If she earns a score of 3 or better on a 4-point scale, she will move to the next performance level, regardless of where her peers are.
FLEXIBILITY
Level Up With Learning Targets
In other school districts, students are placed in one grade level according to their age, for the entire year and in all subjects. In a Competency Based System like Westminster Public Schools, Sofia is not limited by her age. When she demonstrates mastery of all learning targets, she can move to the next level at any point in the school year. Students are held accountable and avoid “social promotion’” to the next grade level without the proper skills and knowledge.
TRANSPARENCY
Everyone on the Same Page
Progress on learning targets is measured and recorded in software that is accesible to students, parents and teachers at all times. Sofia’s parents can check in on her strengths and challenges using real-time data in the Empower system and talk with her teachers about any extra help she may need in any one topic. Students, teachers and parents work together to acheive shared goals and there are no surprises at the end of the year.
STUDENT AGENCY
Get Ready For The Day After Graduation
Our Competency-Based System (CBS) is about more than just earning a high school diploma. It means that students graduate with the skills necessary for the next stage of their lives. WPS students are taught to advocate for themselves and become inspired, self-motivated and life-long learners.