Graduation requirements: A minimum of 24 credits is required for graduation. 0.5 credit = 1 semester, 1 credit = 1 year.Graduation requirements include: 4 credits (4 years) Biblical studies; 4 credits (4 years) English and literature; 3 credits (3 years) history and government; 1 credit (1 year) philosophy; 3 credits (3 years) mathematics; 3 credits (3 years) sciences; 2 credits (2 years) foreign language; 1 credit (1 year) art, music, or drama electives; 1 credit (1 year) physical education or health electives; 0.5 credit Computer Applications; and 0.5 credit Study Skills.A senior portfolio is required to demonstrate proficiency. Computer and Study Skills content is integrated with other courses; competency is demonstrated in the portfolio. Grading and Ranking: Darren Patterson Christian Academy assigns letter grades using a 4.0 grade scale.Letter grades result from percentage scores as follows: A (4.0) = 93 – 100%;B (3.0) = 85 – 92%;C (2.0) = 75 – 84%;D (1.0)= 65 – 74%;F (0.0) = below 65% Due to small class size, students are generally unranked. Rank may be calculated at the insistence of other academic and scholarship organizations. No classes are weighted. Standardized Test Scores:DPCA uses the Stanford 10 Achievement Test to assist in measuring academic progress in grades 1-12.Over the past five years, the student body as a whole has averaged scores that fall in the top 30th percentile rank when compared to their appropriate grade levels nationwide. DPCA also encourages juniors and seniors to take the SAT I and ACT college entrance exams.Recent statistics from the tests are as follows:(%(#) = percentage and number of eligible juniors and seniors who took the test.) Until June 2011, 2010-2011 numbers are seniors only.
Year
%(#) SAT I
Avg. Crit. Reading
Avg. Math
Avg. Writing
% (#) ACT
Avg. Comp.
2010-20111
75%(3)
657
613
637
75%(3)
28.0
2009-2010
75%(9)
653
564
612
33%(4)
26.0
2008-2009
70%(7)
627
520
571
50%(5)
26.0
2007-2008
0% (0)
n/a
n/a
n/a
75% (3)
19.0
2006-2007
14% (1)
570
630
650
57% (4)
23.8
2005-2006
50% (3)
597
547
603
67% (4)
26.8
1.Initial score sets will not be available until October 2010; will not include all seniors until February 2011
Education and training beyond high school: 41 students have graduated from the Academy since 1992 93% (38) have continued their education or training beyond high school 61% (25) have matriculated to four-year colleges and universities 15% (6) have matriculated to two-year junior colleges 17% (7) have chosen trade schools, ministry training, or other options for further training or education The following list indicates institutions and training programs attended by Academy graduates:
Abilene Christian University
Adams State College Bethel College (Indiana) Bowling Green State University Blinn Junior College Cedarville University Colorado Mountain College Colorado Christian University Dordt College Hardin-Simmons University John Brown University Lamar Junior College LeTourneau University
New Life School of Worship Oklahoma State University Parsons School of Design: The New SchoolUniversity Pikes Peak Community College Red Rocks Community College Sterling College Tabor College Taylor University Taylor University Fort Wayne Texas A&M University Training for Life:The Way Christian Ministries, Scotland
University of Hawaii United States Navy Western State College Wheaton College Wyoming Technical Institute Youth With a Mission – Discipleship Training School
719.395.6046 518 South San Juan Avenue, PO Box 1243, Buena Vista, Colorado, 81211 1.877.395.DPCA