Rebecca Hankey Setting and Context February 7, 2017

Upon entering Fort Collins High School (FCHS) you are greeted with bustling students and
a flood of light. If you walk through the halls during class hours you may see jewelry making
class or AP language. Either way, students seem to flourish and the physical building reflects it.
The spine of the building is lined with windows, posters, and historical artifacts from the
schools rich and proud history. FCHS is a staple in the community and their culture reflects it.
FCHS has a culture of high expectations, history, inclusivity, pride, and a giving community.
Students are held to a standard where, Excellence is Expected, and are simultaneously
encouraged to embrace their passions and co-curricular activities. From ukulele club to the
Boosters FCHS has a place for everyone. A small room on the second floor houses the Peer
Counselor program. This unique space creates for students that need advice, someone to talk to,
or just a welcoming place to be. This program and other like it strengthen the student community
at FCHS. Community building and differentiation occurs not only in the classroom, but in the
school community. Opportunity lies around every corner. These opportunities are hardly limited
to the school itself. The hall ways are even named after the streets of Fort Collins!
Many co-curricular activities seep into the Fort Collins community. The hall ways are even
named after the streets of Fort Collins! One such program is ACE or The Alternative Cooperative
Education program. This program provides vocational opportunities to students in, non-
traditional classes, (fch.psdschools.org/ace). Students have the opportunity to get real world
work experience and vocational training through internships. FCHS National Honor Society
holds an annual Halloween Carnival with games, sweets, frights, and a safe place for kids in the
community. These opportunities link the community with Fort Collins High School and
continuing their intertwined legacy.
A large glass case in the front hall depicts this relationship with memorabilia. Lambkin pride
is talked about, displayed, sung about, and celebrated. This only works to further strengthen the
community and reinforce this unique culture. A quick walk through the halls will prove that there
are far too many programs and activities offered at FCHS to list. From all types of sports, to
AVID, Advanced Placement, Gifted and Talented, Teen Parenting, Band, Choir, German Club,
Fly Fishing/Tying Club, Gay Straight Alliance, and so much more. There is a place for every
kind of person and the community loves it. Parents are involved in putting these events together.
In addition to supporting their children in school, parents are involved in volunteering in
communities within the school.
Support is never hard to find at FCHS. There is a multi-tiered support system in place at
FCHS to help students to who more behavioral support. In addition, students have opportunities
to work with Peer Counselors, Counselors, club sponsors, teachers, and PSD students to find
support. The AVID program is a great example of support that encourages student behavior.
AVID techniques are used throughout FCHS, but there is also an individual AVID elective
course. These students put in the hard work and are dedicated to their education. This program
encourages best practices, study habits, inquiry based learning, growth mindset, community,
confidence, and so much more. Like AVID, there are many programs in place to encourage good
student behavior rather than only having a strict disciplinary system. Students are encouraged to
strive for excellence, support one another, and do their best.
Fort Collins High School has a pretty even distribution of students from one grade level to
the next. They have 1622 students total. Although, the incoming classes are steadily growing as
the population of the surrounding area increases. According to FCHSs 2016 report, females
make up 48% of the population, while there is 52% male, .6% American Indian, 3.2% Asian,
1.3% Black, 23% Hispanic, 68% White, .2%. Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and 3.2% fall in the
Two or More category. 34% of their students are on Free/Reduced Lunch, 8% in Integrated
Services, 4% with active 504s, 15% ELLs, and 16% Gifted and Talented.