The History of Chaffee County High School

Chaffee County High School began in 1990 as a collaborative effort between the Buena Vista and Salida school districts to serve students whose needs were not being met by the traditional system. Students then received a high school diploma through independent studies.

​As the students and culture have changed in the valley, so has Chaffee County High School. We have evolved into an educational intervention for the Buena Vista School District that meets the needs of at-risk students by providing multiple learning options so that they can earn their high school diploma.

Enrolling at CCHS

As an intervention school for the Buena Vista School district, we work closely with the district administration and leadership at Buena Vista High School and Buena Vista Middle School to identify students who would benefit from learning at CCHS.

Referrals of current district students generally come from families or teachers to the administration at BVHS or BVMS. Families of district students or new-to-district families can self-nominate by filling out an inquiry form. The inquiry form doesn't guarantee CCHS enrollment, but it brings students to our attention. 

If you are interested in enrolling a student at CCHS, you can begin the conversation by contacting our Alt Ed Campus Committee coordinator, Hannah Jayne, at 719-395-7038 or with our contact form. 

Final enrollment decisions are made by an Alternative Education Campus Committee comprised of CCHS, BVHS/BVMS, and district representatives. Semester cut-offs for CCHS enrollment:
  • Fall semester: August 15
  • Spring semester: December 15

Our Logo

Picture
For a time, CCHS designed a logo each school year. While we love how that process encourages student input, we decided it is important to have a consistent image representing the school that students and community members can easily recognize.

Our logo represents what matters most to us: earning diplomas. We chose a fist as a central image because the raised fist is used in many contexts as a symbol of empowerment. We like to see our approach to school as empowering learning - challenging expectations and traditional approaches to meet individual student needs. 

The five pointed star represents our five core values, which are written around the edge: Commit, Connect, Work, Play, Evolve.

Our Mission

Mission: CCHS strives to graduate lifelong learners and productive citizens by developing competency in core academics, executive functioning skills, personal well being, interpersonal skills, and community connections.

The Road to Graduation

Students at Chaffee County High School will graduate with a Colorado state high school diploma. Generally, one graduation ceremony will be held in May, though the school may choose to hold an additional ceremony in December if the number of mid-year graduates warrants a separate ceremony. 

Students earn a diploma by completing a combination of credits and competencies to demonstrate readiness for life after high school. General requirements are as follows:

Credits
Earning a diploma through CCHS requires completing 30 semester credits, in conjunction with the other graduation requirements.. Credits are earned through a combination of Edgenuity online courses, modules taught through CCHS, BVHS courses, and CMC courses. 
  • Core academic credits
    • 6 English credits, including Senior Seminar and Research Capstone
    • 4 Math credits, including Personal Finance
    • 4 Science credits
    • 4 Social Studies credits, including Government
  • Life Skills credits
    • Technology
    • College and Careers
    • Work-Based Learning
  • Wellbeing credits
    • Health
    • 4 PE credits
  • Elective credits
  • 4 minimum - can be additional core credits, CMC courses, internships, additional work study courses, or other elective courses

Competencies
In addition to their credit work, students must demonstrate success through a set of competencies designed to develop key personal and life skills, assessed through rubrics.

Students are given regular support and feedback from their advisor and other staff members to ensure they are making progress during their time at CCHS. 
 
Competencies include:
  • Discovery - students learn to demonstrate effective group skills, anger management, effective communication, assertiveness training, problem solving, and conflict resolution
  • Advisory - students learn to demonstrate executive functioning skills, personal wellbeing, interpersonal skills, and real world connections
  • Post-Secondary Readiness - students demonstrate readiness for life after high school through interest surveys, postsecondary and workforce goals, resume building and postsecondary opportunity applications, a financial plan and budget, goal monitoring, and a transition plan
  • Community service - students complete a minimum of five hours of community service for each semester they are enrolled at CCHS. Community service opportunities provided during the school day include (but are not limited to) Mini Blessings, Ark Valley Humane Society, Adopt-a-Grandparent, Food Backpacks, and the BV Heritage Museum.
  • CDE-approved assessment - students demonstrate competency by meeting benchmarks on the SAT, ASVAB, and/or WorkKeys assessments. Students are given opportunities to take each of these assessments at CCHS.
  • Projects - students complete scaffolded, individualized projects based on their interests and rooted in academic skills.