Front Range Christian School is fully accredited through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), so you can expect that your 9th-12th grade student will be prepared for college and beyond through vigorous academics, deep spiritual formation, and an authentic and engaging high school experience.
Students must earn 26/27 credits in grades 9-12 to graduate from Front Range Christian School. In order to earn a diploma from FRCS, students must complete all track requirements from FRCS (courses taken outside of Front Range will only be considered for credit if approved by the Senior High Principal).
The Colorado Commission on Higher Education has revised the Admissions Standards Policy for 4-year, in-state, public universities. For additional information on these standards, please consult their website at http://www.state.co.us/cche/
Department/Course | Honors Track* | College Prep Track | Standard Track |
Biblical Studies (required each year of enrollment) | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Language Arts | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Social Sciences | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Natural Sciences | 4 | 4 | 3 (must include biology and chemistry) |
Mathematics | 4 | 4 | 4 (must progress through Algebra II) |
World Language | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Speech (required during grade 11 or 12) | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
College, Career, and Calling (required during grade 11) | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
Fine and Performing Arts | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 |
Practical Arts | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Physical Education (PE classes or 2 seasons of sports) | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
Practicum (required each year of enrollment) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
J-Term (required each year of enrollment) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Credit requirement totals: | 27 | 27 | 26 |
* Students must complete at least four Honors/AP courses and at least one of them must be an AP course. The student must graduate with a weighted GPA of 3.5 or higher. Students enrolled in AP classes are required to take a nationally prepared AP exam in May.
Athletes who intend to enroll in a Division I or Division II college and participate in their athletic program must register and be certified by the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse. The courses that have been approved by the NCAA have been designated in the course descriptions. More details can be seen at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
Subject | Credits |
Language Arts | 4 |
Mathematics (Algebra I and above) | 3 |
Natural Sciences (at least one lab course) | 2 |
Additional English, Math, or Science | 1 |
Social Sciences | 2 |
Additional (world languages, non-doctrinal religion, philosophy) | 4 |
Total Core Units Required: | 16 |
GPA is the average obtained by dividing the total number of grade points earned in high school courses by the total number of grade points attempted. Weighted grades for successful completion of Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors courses are factored into this calculation. Front Range Christian School uses a 4.0 scale as follows:
Grading Scale | Letter Grade Equivalent | Honors/AP Courses | Standard Courses |
90-100 | A | 5.0 | 4.0 |
80-89 | B | 4.0 | 3.0 |
70-79 | C | 3.0 | 2.0 |
60-69 | D | 1.0 | 1.0 |
0-59 | F | 0 | 0 |
Weighted grades are awarded to students in AP classes and Honors classes. It is a reflection of the additional workload required for these courses beyond the normal level of difficulty for high school courses.
Students earn credit for classes by earning a passing grade of “D; 60%” or higher; however some selective colleges do not recognize a grade of “D” as passing. Typically, core classes are worth 0.5 credits per semester.
Junior high students can not earn senior high school credit for taking high school classes. For example, some 8th grade students will take Algebra 1, a high school course; however, they will still be required to take 4 credits of math during their high school years.
Valedictorian/Salutatorian honors are awarded 2nd semester based on the most current, available course grades. The valedictorian is the senior student with the highest weighted cumulative grade point average (GPA). The Salutatorian is the senior student with the second highest weighted GPA. To be eligible for these honors, a student must carry 5 core classes each semester of their senior year (equivalent to 2.5 Carnegie credits per semester), be paying full-time tuition, and must have attended a minimum of six out of their last eight semesters at FRCS (two of which must be their senior year).
Official transcripts can be requested online. Requests can also be made at the main office.
Transcripts reflect grades on a semester basis, cumulative GPA (weighted and unweighted), ACT and/or SAT test scores (only those scores that you designate will be reflected), and honors and accomplishments. Honors and accomplishments are only reflected if they are reported to the main office staff. An accomplishment form may be picked up from the main office.
All students are expected to come to school on their scheduled standardized test day(s).
Grades 7-10 take the Iowa Assessment each year that they attend FRCS. This assessment allows FRCS to measure student achievement and growth against learning standards in a variety of ways. The data we receive from the assessment is useful for informing student-specific interventions (based on individual results), improving instructional practices (based on subject and grade-level specific trends), and for identifying goals in campus-wide programming (based on broad-level trends within our entire student body).
Grades 7-9 take the PSAT 8/9 and grades 10-11 take the PSAT/NMSQT. The test prepares students grades 7-10 for the standardized testing process and allows us to assess test-taking strengths and weaknesses for the PSAT, ACT, and SAT. Test results provide guidance for placement in honors and AP level classes. For Juniors, the test is also an opportunity to qualify for several scholarships, including the National Merit Scholarship.
Once a student begins at FRCS, transfer credits for classes taken outside of FRCS are only available on a very limited basis. For example, sometimes a student transfers in with a history of French, which we do not offer. Because of the difficulty of making up those credits in Spanish, we have allowed students to take French outside of FRCS. There is a $10 nonrefundable processing fee with this application and the application is due 2 weeks prior to the start of the fall semester, or 2 weeks prior to the end of fall semester for a spring semester class. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the student (family) to make sure all necessary information/documentation is turned into FRCS by the required deadlines. The following guidelines must be followed in order for a student to earn credits outside of FRCS.
All transfer credit courses must be pre-approved by the Leadership Team. Again, this is awarded on a very limited basis and only when the necessary credits cannot be earned with the classes that FRCS offers.
Students may add or drop courses through the third Friday of the semester if they have valid (written) reasons for the proposed change(s) AND Teacher, Counselor, Principal and Parent approvals and signatures. Course fees may not be refundable or transferable. Classes dropped after the add/drop time are designated on Senior High Transcripts as “WP” (withdraw pass) or “WF” (withdraw fail) and students will not earn credit for the course. If new classes are added to student schedules after classes have already begun, students are responsible for making up any missed course work within the deadlines and parameters set by teachers.
Final exams are given to senior high students towards the end of each semester. Finals are customarily spread out over 3 days. These are usually half-days for senior high students. All students are required to take finals in the classes that have finals.
Class rank is a relative standing of a student in their class and is determined by weighted cumulative grade point average (GPA). Only full time students are awarded a ranking.
All students in 7th through 11th grades are required to carry a full class load meaning they may not have any “off” periods. 12th grade students alone are allowed to have “off” periods if they have met all their graduation requirements. During “off” periods seniors may leave campus if they sign out at the front desk. Upon return to school, seniors must then sign in.
Excessive absenteeism may result in a loss of credit for the class, lowered or failing grade, parent/teacher/principal conference or dis-enrollment. For senior high students, a total of five (5) days for college visits per year are allowed to be counted as a student activity and therefore not count toward the total absences. See the Family Handbook for details.
All advanced classes are offered on the premise that there are a sufficient number of students interested and qualified to fill the class. In order for a student to be admitted into an Honor or AP class, they must meet the following criteria:
Students are expected to purchase their own books (usually around $90) for AP courses and are required to pay for the AP Exam fee (approximately $90).
Front Range Christian School encourages all students to take a challenging academic program. In an effort to ensure a high academic program, prerequisites have been established to set admission criteria for certain courses and to serve as indicators of the academic skills needed to succeed.
In addition, more specific prerequisites for these courses are listed by course in this Course Catalog.
Recognizing that there may be some instances when students are close to meeting prerequisites for a course and are highly motivated to enroll in that course, FRCS has created an appeal process to take these facts into account.
If a student does not meet the prerequisites required or was not recommended for placement in the requested course desired, the student’s parent may appeal to the FRCS Guidance Counselor Department by completing the FRCS Academic Performance contract and approval from the teacher and guidance counselor.
FRCS Guidance Department will examine a student’s appeal based on the following:
Students placed in the requested classes will be expected to meet and maintain the academic standards of the course. If, after enrollment, the course content is determined by the student to be too difficult, he/she may drop the course within the FRCS add/drop period.
Requests are accepted on a space available basis.
Front Range Christian School will waive the world language class requirement under certain circumstances. All of the following criteria must be met:
Interested families should contact the Director of Guidance and Counseling to initiate the waiver process.
Students may enroll part-time at FRCS. These students have the right to participate in sports, fine arts, and standardized testing with the following conditions:
International students who transfer their freshman or sophomore year will be required to fulfill all FRCS graduation requirements. Specifics include:
International students transferring in their junior or senior year will need to meet FRCS requirements recommended by the guidance counselor department.
The Biblical Studies department at Front Range Christian School exists to cultivate students who, through the careful reading of God’s Word, come to know themselves in light of the Truth, live virtuously, engage culture redemptively, and dialogue confidently and compassionately.
Becoming Like Christ is an elective course centered around leadership and discipleship.
College, Career, & Calling helps juniors discover their strengths, understand vocation through a Christian perspective, explore post-graduate opportunities, and gain confidence for their future pursuits.
Junior Seminar equips students to engage the world and the culture around them from a grounded, biblical perspective.
This course immerses students in the life of Jesus Christ as depicted in the four Gospels.
This course is a study of the New Testament epistles to explore the history of the early church and instructions for godly living.
This discussion-based course challenges students to explore the ways in which Christians can experience “life to the fullest”.
The mission of the Language Arts department is to inspire voracious readers of quality literature who seek to understand difficult questions, to communicate compellingly, and to engage in academic dialogue with confidence and compassion.
This course covers novels, plays, short stories, and poems from American Literature, spanning from colonial to contemporary texts.
This course concentrates on the art and nuance of rhetoric, specifically focusing on the skills needed for rhetorical analysis, Toulmin writing method, and synthesis argumentation in preparation for the AP Language and Composition Exam.
This course covers novels, plays, short stories, and poems from American, British, and World Literature, focusing especially on fictional works in preparation for the AP Literature and Composition Exam.
This course covers novels, plays, short stories, and poems from British Literature, spanning from medieval to contemporary texts; it also introduces and prepares students for research writing in college.
This course explores the literary genres of the hero’s journey, coming of age, and both Sophoclean (ancient Greek) and Shakespearean tragic patterns.
At an accelerated pace and rigor, this course explores the literary genres of the hero’s journey, coming of age, and both Sophoclean (ancient Greek) and Shakespearean tragic patterns.
This course covers novels, plays, short stories, and poems from around the world, emphasizing non-American and non-British texts.
Students develop skills of public speaking with rhetorical devices as a means of academic debate and dialogue.
This course covers novels, plays, short stories, and poems from around the world, emphasizing non-American and non-British texts.
The vision of the Mathematics department is for students to gain a greater understanding of how detailed, intricate, and awesome God is, and to see that His design is perfectly ordered, specific, and purposeful. It is our hope that our students use their unique talents to best serve the world and their Creator.
This course continues the study of expressions, equations, operations with rational numbers, and introduces linear and nonlinear equations and factoring.
This course continues the study of linear and nonlinear functions, factoring, and introduces logarithmic expressions and equations.
This course introduces limits, derivatives, and integrals. AP Calculus AB is the content included in 1st semester college Calculus, while AP Calculus BC is the content included in both 1st and 2nd semesters of college Calculus.
This course covers angle relationships, logical reasoning, proportional figures, solving triangles/quadrilaterals/circles, and calculating areas and volumes.
This course continues the study of algebra and geometry, and introduces descriptive statistics and financial literacy.
This course covers descriptive and inferential statistics, along with probability.
This course continues the study of linear and nonlinear functions, logarithmic expressions and equations, and introduces trigonometry and probability.
The Natural Sciences department at Front Range Christian School exists to cultivate inquisitive and scientifically literate students who wonder at the mystery of God’s Creation, humbly seek to understand it through diligent observation and honest investigation, and lovingly use scientific knowledge for the good of our world.
Anatomy and Physiology focuses on the structure and function of the systems of the human body.
AP Biology is a college level course exploring the living world and their ecosystems.
AP Chemistry is a college level general chemistry course exploring the properties and interactions of matter on an atomic and molecular level.
Biology explores the nature of living things and how they interact with their environment.
This course deals with the substances of which matter is composed, the investigation of their properties and the ways in which they interact, combine, and change to form new substances.
High School Earth Science focuses on studying the structure, composition, processes, and history of the Earth, including its atmosphere, oceans, landforms, and the interactions between them.
Honors Biology explores the nature of living things and how they interact with their environment.
This course deals with the underlying laws and mechanisms explaining the physical plane of matter, motion, force, and energy.
The Fine & Performing Arts department
This course helps students improve vocal techniques across various music styles, including musical pieces, pop, and vocal jazz, while developing music reading skills and performing in FRCS concerts and outreach events.
This course teaches students to lead worship, accompany vocalists, and apply music theory, while exploring different genres, digital music, and composition using DAW-Logic software for recording and arranging.
Grace Notes is an advanced vocal group for women.
This course enhances drama through comedic improvisation, helping students create scenes and characters while developing skills in active listening, stage presence, and body positioning for confident performance.
This course allows students to explore jazz instrumental music in a collaborative ensemble, focusing on advanced music theory, rhythm, chord progressions, ear training, and sight reading/singing.
This course teaches students oil painting techniques and materials, focusing on figures and landscapes, while incorporating observation and historical context.
This hands-on art course allows students to create a variety of clay projects, including figures and functional sculptures, while learning different clay techniques and incorporating other craft mediums, with their work displayed.
This course explores various art materials and art history, allowing students to create 4-6 projects while learning techniques and processes used globally, with their work displayed.
This course allows students to refine their artistic style using various materials and techniques, building on skills from Studio Art I to create 4-6 unique pieces, which are displayed for the school community.
This tap dance course teaches students basic steps like digs, shuffles, and riffs, combining percussion and dance into choreography.
This audition-based show choir focuses on ensemble singing in jazz, musical, pop, and show choir standards, building music theory and harmonization skills with performances at concerts and outreach events.
This traditional symphonic band/ensemble allows students to learn, practice, and perform on wind and percussion instruments, with auditions for placement and a recommendation for students to own their own instruments.
In this class, students create the Jr/Sr High Yearbook, learning leadership, teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking while documenting the school year’s activities and functioning as staff members in the publication process.
The Practical Arts department exists to prepare well-rounded students to reflect the character of their Creator and think in a way that will impact and improve the kingdom of God in tangible and intangible ways.
This course helps students improve vocal techniques across various music styles, including musical pieces, pop, and vocal jazz, while developing music reading skills and performing in FRCS concerts and outreach events.
Students are introduced to multiple softwares and tools used for 3D modeling, 3D printing, laser engraving, and CNC routing.
This generalized course introduces students to basic tools, working with your hands, and DIY creating/repair through engaging projects and activities.
Students interact with multiple facets of home construction including basic framing, plumbing, electrical, drywall, and trim carpentry.
Students explore how automobiles work and learn to perform basic maintenance and minor repairs on vehicles.
This course teaches personal finance through a Biblical lens, equipping students with essential skills like budgeting, credit management, and goal setting for long-term financial literacy.
This hands-on elective introduces students to the fundamentals of baking, equipping them with essential skills to create delicious dishes.
An immersing exploration of international cuisines, this course teaches students diverse flavors, cooking techniques, and cultural traditions from around the world.
This course gives students the opportunity to experience a full-scale woodshop, learn tricks of the trade, and build quality projects.
This tap dance course teaches students basic steps like digs, shuffles, and riffs, combining percussion and dance into choreography.
Most students at Front Range Christian School earn their Physical Education credit through participation in competitive sports coordinated by our Athletic Department. Other opportunities to earn physical education credits may include dance classes (see Fine Arts courses) or classes listed below.
PE option for senior high students.
Social Sciences
The Social Sciences department guides students in the pursuit of historical study in order to create scholars who are well-equipped to actively and redemptively engage in shaping culture.
10th Grade
AP European History (HIS 510)
Students analyze European history from the Late Medieval Period to present day in preparation for the National AP Exam.
AP European History (HIS 510)
AP European History is a challenging college-level course. This course serves as an introduction to the history of Europe from 1450 to the present. It divides European History into nine units, each of which will be covered thoroughly during the year. Although there are certainly a lot of names, wars, and dates involved, this class is primarily a class about ideas and skills. Students build their skills in preparation for the national exam, but no matter the result of the test students develop historical skills for use across life and further education.
11th Grade
AP United States History (HIS 520)
Students analyze US History from pre-colonial times to present day in preparation for the National Exam.
AP United States History (HIS 520)
In AP US History (APUSH) students take an in-depth look at the history of the United States before the time of colonization all the way to the present day. Students do so through a rigorous course that stretches them as students, growing their thinking about historical processes and events. Students build their skill in preparation for the national exam, but no matter the result of the test students develop historical skills for use across life and further education.
12th Grade
Civics: U.S. & Global (HIS 410)
Students prepare for life after high school through civic engagement and modern world history conceptions.
Civics: U.S. & Global (HIS 410)
In Civics, students tackle the questions that are on the minds of every one of our seniors, such as: How can I be an effective citizen; How will economics play a role in my life; What am I doing after high school; How can I use my life to honor God; and How has the modern world changed to be the way it currently is. Students discuss these lofty goals through a series of units and activities based on the purpose of government, the function of the US Government, the US economic system, life after high school, and modern world history.
9th Grade
Geography & Ancient Civilizations (HIS 110)
First semester, students analyze the geography of the world using a cultural perspective. Second semester, students utilize historical skills to examine the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
Geography & Ancient Civilizations (HIS 110)
Grade Level: 9th
Prerequisites: none
Term/Credits: One year; 1 History credit
GPA Scale: Standard (4.0)
In the first semester, the class focuses on World Geography. Geography is the study of God’s creations (the earth, global regions, landforms, water forms, places, plants, and animals) and how God’s most precious creation, human beings, interact with them. Students analyze the physical and human characteristics of places and regions within the world; and examine the physical processes, ecosystems, and human activities that shape the earth’s surface. In doing so, students increase their understanding of the relationships between people, places, and environments in order to interpret the past and understand their future. This course specifically focuses on the understanding of geography from a cultural perspective.
In the second semester, students focus on Ancient World Civilizations. Ancient World Civ provides a look at world history from the perspective of God’s dealings with mankind. Students explore the people, events and developments that form the major eras of history from its origin up until the Medieval Era. Emphasis is placed on the development and changes in major worldviews that shape human interaction and behaviors as compared and contrasted to a Biblical worldview. Special focus is given to linking the past to the present and recognizing the contribution students themselves can have to history. The process of historical inquiry, chronological organization, synthesis of information, and critical thinking are utilized.
11th Grade
U.S. History (HIS 310)
Students examine the history of the United States from the era of Reconstruction through the end of the Cold War.
U.S. History (HIS 310)
In this course, students learn to critically assess American history from the Reconstruction Era to the present, analyzing chronology in terms of major historical themes. Students will not only master the historic content, but also strengthen their reading, critical-thinking, and essay-writing skills. This history course allows students to work frequently with primary sources (original documents) and recent historiography (historians’ research and perspectives) to think deeply about interpretations of American History and their implications for the future.
10th Grade
World History (HIS 210)
Students analyze the foundations of world history from the medieval period to modern times across the world.
World History (HIS 210)
In World History, students analyze the development of the different continents from ancient times to modern-day civilizations. Practically, this means that students trace the development of civilizations across the continents starting after the Fall of Rome until the beginning of World War I. Students are exposed to a large portion of content, but the ultimate goal of our class is not to know everything that occurred in that time period exhaustively, but for students to walk away with a general understanding of the broad time periods and a greater appreciation of how we arrived at where we are today.