The mission of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College counseling program is to provide a comprehensive, culturally responsive, developmental and preventative counseling program that supports all students through a caring and enriching environment and encourages them to succeed academically, socially, personally, and vocationally today, tomorrow and in the future as defined by the American School Counselor Association national Standards through:
A dedication to the mission of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Early College, which is “to graduate students who are GREAT LEADERS, GREAT THINKERS, AND GREAT COMMUNICATORS.”
A commitment to being a data driven counseling department based on our 2012-2013 Counseling Department Goals
A commitment to all student graduating with a completed Personal Education Plan, succinct and relevant to their post-secondary goals.
Counselors and Coordinators
Hap Legg -11th and 12th grade last names A-M Room 233/234 Phone: 720-424-0501 Hap_legg@dpsk12.net
Jessica Seifert- 9th and 10th grade last names K-Z Room 233/234 Phone: 720-424-0482 Jessica_Seifert@dpsk12.net Courtney Pena
Courtney Pena-6th, 7th and 8th grade Room 114 Phone: 720-424-0465 Courtney_Pena@dpsk12.net
Cindy Gandara- 9th and 10th grade last names A-J Room 233/234 Phone: 720-424-0502 Cindy_Gandara@dpsk12.net
Estefany Montoya Fuentes -11th and 12th grade last names N-Z Room 233/234 Phone: 720-424-0450 Estefany_MontoyaFuentes@dpsk12.net
Esmeralda Rodriguez- Denver Scholarship Foundation College Advisor
College Applications, Financial Aid, Scholarship Assistance,
Esmeralda Rodriguez is your go-to person through the entire college application process throughout the entire school year and will help you with ANYTHING regarding the college process. Including:
Contact Esmeralda Rodriguez for details and possible ACT fee waivers. NOTE: Students can only use two ACT fee waivers. After the ACT website will reject them and require payment via a check or credit card. So make sure you’re prepared for the exam!
What Should You Be Doing in the Summer and Fall:
Start researching colleges and keep a list of those you’re interested in.
Start working on your college essays.
Think of 2-3 teachers, coaches, and/or community members who would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for you.
When school starts, complete a letter of recommendation request form (you can get one from the Future Center) and submit it to your teacher(s).
Think of activities that you can join this year
Find volunteering opportunities. Keep track of how many hours you volunteer. Whether you have a 2.0 or a 4.0 GPA most scholarship committees (and colleges) want students who are involved!
Graduation Requirements
Download the HS Requirements: English Download the HS Requirements: Spanish
Martin Luther King Jr., Early College follows the graduation requirements of Denver Public Schools, which include:
Students need 240 credits to graduate:
Students must complete at least 60 credits a year to advance to the next grade level
Each class is 5 credits per a semester, except for Student Assistant (only 2.5 credits)
Breakdown of requirements:
40 credits (4 years) of English
40 credits (4 years) of Math
30 credits (3 years) of Social Studies
30 credits (3 years) of Science
10 credits (1 year) of PE
10 credits (1 year) of a Fine Art
80 credits of elective coursework
While foreign language is not a graduation requirement, MLK Jr., Early College highly recommends students to complete 2-3 years (20-30 credits) of a language, as foreign language is an admissions requirement for most 4-year colleges and universities.
In addition to graduation, DMLK Jr. Early College expects every student to be accepted to at least one college/university. To achieve this, we recommend students to seriously consider the Higher Education Admission Requirements (HEAR). See below.
Higher Education Admission Requirements (HEAR)
Subject
Minimum College Preparation
State Universities and Other Selective College Requirements
Highly SelectiveCollege Recommendations
English (with an emphasis on reading & writing)
4 years
4 years
4 years
Math
3 years including algebra, geometry and advanced algebra
4 years, including algebra, geometry, and advanced algebra
4 years, including algebra, geometry, and advanced algebra
Social Studies
2-3 years, including1 year of U.S. History and 1-2 years from other social sciences
2-3 years, including 1year of U. S. History and 1-2 years from other social sciences
2-3 years including 1 year of U.S. History and 1-2 years from other social sciences
Science
2 years of lab science: Biology Chemistry, or Physics
2-3 years of lab science: Biology Chemistry, or Physics
2 years of lab science: Biology Chemistry, or Physics
Foreign Language
2 years of the same foreign language
2-4 years of the same foreign language
4 years of the same foreign language
Naviance
Naviance provides the following services to students and parents:
Engage Students
Help students establish meaningful post-secondary goals
Connect current and future coursework (4-year plan) with post-secondary goals
College research and exploration activities to foster individualized and relevant planning.
Providing resources and activities to prepare students for the world of work
Increase Rigor
Encourage students to pursue more rigorous coursework by combining academic data with information about student college and career interests.
Engage Parents
Increase communication with parents around important decisions such as course planning, college admissions and post-secondary planning.
Parents are more than welcome to link their email with their student’s Naviance account so that they are better informed with what Future Center Events are being held.
Improve Communication
Provide more support, encouragement and guidance to students with a variety of communication tools that help students stay motivated.
