Colorado's Finest High School of Choice is an alternative school located in the Southern Denver Metro Area and part of the Englewood School District. We offer a supportive and inclusive environment that puts students first.
Virtual Tour
Welcome to the Colorado's Finest High School of Choice virtual tour. The following set of images and descriptions are intended to provide a virtual representation of an actual tour of the building. The order of areas explored are presented in the actual order they would occur while walking through the building. However, if you would like to schedule an in-person tour, please contact the office for availability.
More detailed information for each of these items may be located under the Finest 101 page of the school website.
- About the School
- Main Entry
- Digital Audio
- Fine Arts
- SAGE
- Science
- Commons
- Courtyard
- PE/Fitness/Health
- STEM
- Salon & Spa
- Counseling
- SS/ELA/Math
- Library
- Finish
About the School
Students choose to enroll at Colorado's Finest for a variety of reasons and many find it a great experience because of the positive climate, culture of inclusivity, wide range of opportunities offered, and dedicated staff.
Our faculty are committed to building relationships with students to support them in obtaining their high school diploma while exploring and developing plans for their individual post-secondary goals.
Main Entry
The Point System allows students greater control of their educational pace. Some students are reclaiming credit to get back on track while others are working to graduate early. Some choose to delay graduation while taking advantage of college or CTE courses that the school pays for.
Grade Levels are determined by points gained. Transfer credits are converted into points and then students earn points in their classes. Students don't have to wait until the end of the year to change grade levels. The Graduation Wall represents all students who have earned enough points to become a Senior.
When students become a Senior, they place their picture on the Grad Wall. Once they have gained the required points and completed their proficiencies, they announce to everyone their completion by placing a tassel on their Grad Wall picture.
Digital Audio
The Digital Audio Production program allows students to create or record live and digital music. Live instruments can be recorded in the Studio.
The Control Booth combines music and lyrics, masters and refines music, and prepares student generated music for use for the school's bell system.
Students create digital music using programs such as ProTools by combining samples, loops, digital instruments, or original sounds to create songs.
Fine Arts
The Art Program allows students to explore and represent their work in various media types: painting, clay, pencil drawings, digital art, etc.
Students choose the form of art they want to explore, instead of everyone working on the same project, and keep a digital journal of their progress and learning.
Student artwork can be seen throughout the building decorating the hallways. Students also have the option of entering their work in multiple art shows and exhibits throughout the metro area.
SAGE
Students in the Sustainable Agriculture, Green Energy classes learn to care for plants, animals, sea life, and landscapes.
Some of the animals in the SAGE program include a bunny, snakes, tarantulas, lizards, chickens, and quails.
Enrollment in SAGE classes is optional, but classes help satisfy Science credit requirements.
Science
Students complete a combination of Biology, Earth, Chemistry and Physical Science classes to satisfy their Science credit requirements.
Classes last for 6 weeks and then students choose new ones. Teachers develop high interest topics with hands-on experiences.
Teachers advise students on the types of classes they should take based on the student's interest and career goals.
Commons
Finest is a closed campus, even for lunch, but students can eat in the Commons or throughout the building as long as they pick up after themselves.
The Commons serves as the cafeteria, but also hosts events such as poetry reading, musical performances, dances, and breakout sessions.
Students can eat the served lunch, bring their own (we provide a refrigerator and microwaves , or order food to be delivered. All students eat lunch at the same time.
Courtyard
The Courtyard is available for students to eat lunch and hosts events and cookouts. Classrooms that face the Courtyard have garage doors to extend the classroom setting and enjoy fresh air.
The SAGE students and Custodial staff maintain the landscape and plants of the courtyard. The courtyard is entirely enclosed by the school and does not have direct access outside the school.
Students enjoy playing four-square, throwing a football, or just hanging out with friends in the Courtyard during lunch, Family, or passing periods.
PE/Fitness/Health
Students have choice in the type of PE/Fitness classes they take. In the weight room, students have access to boxing equipment, free weights, exercise equipment, ellipticals, jump ropes, and more.
We offer 6 week classes in Basketball, Team Sports, Women's fitness, Volleyball, Fitness, Weight Lifting, Yoga, and more. Locker rooms are available for students who wish to dress out, but it is never mandatory.
We also offer Health courses in topics such as First Aid/CPR (with certification options), Mindfulness, How Food Affects Mood, Living to be 100, and various other Healthy Lifestyle classes.
STEM
Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) classes allow students to explore website design, computer game creation, database design, and various hands-on experiences.
Students work independently or with partners on various projects to test hypotheses, perform experiments, create designs, or explore scientific advances.
Student can use programs to design models and 3D print renderings, or use construction tools to build model remote cars or drones.
Salon & Spa
The Salon & Spa Academy is an optional two-year CTE program that students can sign up for in their Junior year. The program runs a fully functioning salon with clients. The Salon teachers supervise and train students on all aspects of the cosmetology field. Enrollment cost of the program is covered by the student's home school. Students are responsible for the kit they will use in the program.
The students enrolled in the Salon & Spa Academy spend half their day in the program and half the day at their home school. Some students are dual enrolled at Finest, while others are from the surrounding schools and districts. There are quotas for the number of students other districts will enroll, but enrollment at Finest can ensure a spot in the Academy.
Estheticians, or skin-care specialists, cleanse and beautify skin with facials and full-body treatments, apply makeup, remove facial or body hair with hot wax, give head and neck massages and may, with special training, perform microdermabrasion to remove imperfections and signs of age. Cosmetology is a two-year program and Esthetician is a one-year program.
Counseling
The Counseling Department is available for your social-emotional needs and work closely with your Family Teachers to ensure your classes reflect your future goals. They also assist with college and CTE enrollment.
The Counseling Department runs support groups, sets up and schedules job and career fairs, hosts Social/Emotional activities such as open gyms, art and music in the courtyard, gratitude and appreciation, and other advocacy activities.
in the Future Center, the Counseling team will host business and college reps, help connect you to post secondary options, such as college, trade school, workforce, etc. and assist with ASVAB, job, and scholarship applications to make the process easier.
SS/ELA/Math
The first thing you notice in the English/Social Studies, and Math hallways is the amount of light. When Finest redesigned this building, we asked for lots of windows, lights, and open classrooms where the learning is visible at all times.
Teachers design high interest classes every 6 weeks with hands-on experiences. Class sizes are intentionally kept below 24 students to allow more interaction and support and are more based on skill level rather than grade level.
Chromebooks are available in all classes for students to use with their school provided Google accounts instead of assigning individual laptops. Students may choose to bring a backpack, but homework is not assigned as part of everyday classes.
Library
Colorado's Finest has a "student led" library where students catalog, shelve, and maintain a checkout and return process. Students seek donations of books on topics they feel would be of interest to other students.
There are also places for students to make reading recommendations for their peers. Knowing a student shares similar likes as you and is recommending a book can encourage students to read something they might otherwise have missed.
The Library is also a great place for breakout sessions. It has various seating options, lots of light, and a garage door than can be raised to allow in fresh air. Some students choose to sit in the Library during lunch.
Finish
Thank you for taking time to view our Virtual Tour. Additional information about the school and the types of classes we offer can be found under our Finest 101 page.
If you are still interested, we would love to invite you to be part of our Family.
Your student's FINEST journey can begin now by completing the online enrollment form.