The programming that we have at Vista Academy sets us apart from any other school in Denver Public Schools. Beginning from when students apply until they earn their high school diploma or GED scholars will receive innovative programming that will firmly set them on their path to success. We offer four Career and Technology Education CTE programs as well as a middle school STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) program. Students further along in their SWAGGER Journey will participate in internships and job shadowing opportunities. From the beginning of their SWAGGER Journey scholars participate in various enrichment workshops/classes, retreats and cohorts as well as receive a Vista Academy Passport. Scholars will also participate in bi-weekly service learning projects to meet the authentic needs of the far northeast community.
Vista Academy will provide educational programming to our scholars Monday through Friday from 7am-7pm and on Saturdays from 8am-1pm. The Culinary Arts and Sports Medicine Programs will provide students with hands-on real life learning experiences as they prepare food and assist with athletic training during sporting events at the Evie Dennis Athletic Complex.
Offerings
Our scholars participate in a competency based grading and diploma program that requires them to develop a portfolio and provide presentations of their learning. Scholars who are interested in obtaining their GED can take classes to prepare for the various GED subject tests. Vista Academy offers APEX, an academic program that allows scholars to recover credits that they need to obtain. Through partnerships with community colleges scholars will be able to obtain college credit via concurrent enrollment and certifications connected to our CTE programs in addition to their diplomas.
We offer our scholars a state of the art Culinary Arts program, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Sports Medicine, and Computer Aided Design STEM programs. Middle School scholars will participate in the Project Lead the Way, Gateway to Technology program that will engage them in project based CTE exploration in Design & Modeling, Automation & Robotics, Energy & the Environment as well as Flight & Space.
Another exciting learning opportunity that Vista Academy has for its scholars, teachers and community is the Solar Champions Program developed by Namaste Solar. The Evie Dennis campus will have the highest solar energy production capability of any other school within the district once it is fully operational. The green energy curriculum provided by Namaste can be integrated into all subject areas and will give our scholars a unique opportunity to learn about how our campus operates using green energy. This program is a natural connection to the STEM offerings at Vista Academy.
Program Description
SWAGGER Enrichment: begins upon our student’s admission into Vista Academy and continue until they earn a diploma or GED. Vista SWAGGER is at the core of who we are and what we do to prepare our students to compete in a global market. Students are provided with monthly enrichment activities to prepare them embrace their SWAGGER and prepare them to exceed the expectations Vista places upon them.
SWAGGER Retreat: at the end of the summer students participate in a one week SWAGGER Retreat where they are placed in their cohorts and begin to build a sense of team with their peers that they will work with as long as they attend Vista Academy.
Cohorts Model: all students are placed in cohorts,peer groups that will meet consistently throughout the year their Cohort Exchange to ensure that their Vista Passports are in order. In ensuring that their cohort’s passports are in order they will study together,support one another and build a strong cohesive unit.
Vista Passport: all students will receive a passport will provide students with an advocacy tool that provides them with a guide that outlines academic requirements, service learning expectations, career expectations, their personal education plan, overall SWAGGER progress and much more. Anyone who asks a student at Vista Academy “Is your passport in order” will experience students who understand where they are at and be able to articulate where they are going.
Service Learning: is the method of teaching, learning and reflecting that combines academic classroom curriculum through active participation in organized service experiences that meet authentic community needs. Service learning values student’s personal, social, career and ethical growth. Students will participate in service learning activities and projects on a weekly basis as long as they attend Vista Academy. Our students as part of their SWAGGER are actively engaged in their community. When they apply for colleges and universities these institutions will see that civic responsibility is something that is at the core of what our students believe and they show it through their years of service learning.
Interactive Communications: this is a class that will continue to provide Vista Academy students with SWAGGER Enrichment that will build and provide practice with technology, building their portfolio, public speaking and various 21st century skills necessary to be successful at Vista and in life.
Ms. Jamie Caldwell is the backbone of Vista Academy’s Sports Medicine Program. Through Ms. Caldwell’s dedication and expertise, High School students get an incredible opportunity to learn the ins and outs of Sports medicine- a career in high demand at the moment. Students in the program will take 4 classes in this pathway: Intro to Sports Medicine, Sports medicine 1, Sports Medicine 2, and Sports Medicine 3 (Internship). 
Chef Link and Chef Zayac are the grand force behind Vista Academy’s Culinary Arts Program. Currently, all high school students have the opportunity to be a part of this amazing kitchen.
Welcome to Mr. Joy’s Computer Aided Drafting and Design Program. Mr. Joy is an Architect who holds a Masters Degree in Education. 