Resources
High school students must meet the following requirements to earn a diploma and graduate:
Complete all course requirements and have the minimum number of credit units, including 160 Core Academic Courses (UC/CSU A-G courses) and 80 Green Dot electives for a total of at least 240 credit units:
UC/CSU
A - History/Social Science - 30 credit units
B - English - 40 credit units
C - Mathematics - 30 credit units
D - Science - 20 credit units
E - Language Other Than English - 20 credit units
F - Visual and Performing Arts - 10 credit units
G - College Prep Elective - 10 credit units
Green Dot Electives - 80 credit units
Every student must show proof that he or she completed 3 university applications. Students must bring proof of acceptance or denial. Incomplete applications will not be accepted! Acceptable forms for proof of application include: college correspondence via letter, e-mail, or online print out indicating acceptance or denial of admissions.
Students must serve all detentions and suspensions and clear all other disciplinary obligations.
Students/parents must pay all financial debts owed to the school.
The following pages contain information on each test, practice questions, and other resources:
- English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC): https://www.elpac.org
- Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) for 11th Graders: http://www.smarterbalanced.org/
- California Physical Fitness Test (PFT) for 9th Graders: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/pf/
- California English Language Development Test (CELDT): http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/el/
- SAT, PSAT, and AP: http://www.collegeboard.com/
- ACT: http://www.act.org/aap/
The College Application Process
1. Plan for college beginning in 9th grade
The University of Southern California's "Preparing for College Guide" offers detailed descriptions of what students need to do at each grade level to be a competitive applicant. The CSU Planning Guide offers similar recommendations.
2. Check admission requirements
The California State University requirements and the University of California A-G requirements should guide the courses that you take in high school. Green Dot high schools use the A-G requirements as graduation requirements, so most students on track to graduate will complete the required coursework.
3. Develop a list of colleges to apply to
Helpful resources to guide your college search include:
- CaliforniaColleges.edu is the state's official website that provides information about higher education in California for students and parents.
- https://www2.calstate.edu/apply is designed to help students and their families learn about the California State University (CSU) system and has information on planning for college, applying to college, and financial aid.
- CAcolleges.org is a search engine for colleges in California.
- U.S. News College Rankings provides a list of the top colleges.
- The Princeton Review is a search engine that allows you to set the parameter (your interests, majors, public or private school, size, etc.) and then gives you a list of schools that fit your profile.
- My College Options is a search engine that matches your interests with colleges that fit those interests.
- CampusTours.com provides prospective students with a virutal tour of hundreds of college campuses. It is a great way to get a feel for the campus that might be too far away for a weekend drive.
- Black Excel has college information for African American students.
- Art Institutes International is an association of some of the top private Art schools in the country, with links to all of them.
- Colleges That Change Lives is a non-profit that helps students expand their college search process beyond ratings and rankings.
- Landmark College is designed to help those with ADHD and learning disabilities get their associate's degree and gain the tools to advance their education to a four-year school.
4. Complete your college application
After you have decided where you want to apply, you need to complete the applications:
If you need to submit copies of your transcript, you can request them electronically. Instructions for using the service can be found here.
Green Dot Public Schools has chosen Parchment for all transcript requests
Send your official transcript anywhere in the world with just a few clicks!
Student, parents, and alumni can use Parchment, the leader in eTranscript exchange, to send high school transcripts electronically, securely and confidentially, all with real-time tracking.
To order your transcript, click the big ORDER YOUR TRANSCRIPT banner below. The first thing you’ll do is create an account, then you’ll place your order, and then you can track your order 24/7.
Visit parchment.com/studentkit to access the Parchment Student Tool Kit Containing:
- Video Tutorials
- User Guides
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Support Resources
Colleges and universities prefer to receive transcripts electronically through Parchment!
Don't let the high cost of college discourage you or your child. Numerous sources of financial aid can help you afford even the most expensive schools. In fact, nearly half of all college students receive some financial aid. The key is to start saving and researching now. Consider the types of college your child might attend (public, private, urban, rural), the requirements of your potential major (books, supplies), and living costs (housing, transportation, food). Estimate your child's financial needs, and begin saving money each month. Many banks offer special college savings accounts.
Financial Aid
You and your child can apply for several types of aid from federal and state agencies, private foundations, and colleges.
Federal Student Aid, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, is the largest provider of student financial aid in the nation and should be the first stop for students seeking financial aid. By completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), students are considered for federal student aid. Many other financial aid programs require that students first fill out the FAFSA (including Cal Grants). To fill out the FAFSA, you will also need to complete the application for a Federal Student Aid PIN.
The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) is the principal state agency responsible for administering financial aid programs for students attending California colleges and universities. Students can apply for the Cal Grant program and several other financial aid programs through the CSAC website.
Undocumented students who are eligible for AB 540 are now eligible to receive financial aid from the State of California. To apply for California State aid, AB 540 students must complete the California Dream Act Application and the Cal Grant GPA Verification process. More information on AB540. Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC) also provides college information and scholarships for undocumented students.
LA Cash for College provides free assistance to Los Angeles students and families applying for federal and state financial aid. Visit their website to find out more about the workshops and other services they offer.
Many colleges and universities also provide financial aid to their students. You should ask each college on your list what their financial aid policies are and what it takes to apply for financial aid. Many colleges will require that you fill out the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE before applying for financial aid.
Scholarships
Scholarships are awarded to students based on several criteria. Your child can receive a scholarship for academics, athletics, community service, and many other endeavors. FastWeb.com is a great Web site to search for scholarship opportunities. Your child can fill out an online profile and the website will match their profile with potential scholarships. The Minority Scholarship Search allows students to search for scholarships that are open to students of their race. Other organizations that offer college scholarships include:
- Sallie Mae Scholarship Search - Searchable database of more than 3 million scholarships
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund - Largest scholarship program for Latino students in the nation
- United Negro College Fund - Administers a range of scholarship programs for African-American students
- Boston University Trustee Scholarship Competition - Full tuition scholarships to Boston University for high-performing students
- Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation - Scholarship program sponsored by Coca-Cola
- Dell Scholars Program - Scholarship program sponsored by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
- Gates Millennium Scholars - Scholarship program for minority students sponsored by the Gates Foundation
- Jackie Robinson Foundation - Scholarships and mentoring for minority students provided in memory of Jackie Robinson
- "Make The U (Haz La U)" Scholarship Program - Scholarships for Latino students sponsored by Colgate
- MALDEF Scholarship Resources - Information on scholarships collected by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)
SALEF Scholarship - Scholarships for Latino students sponsored by the Salvadoran-American Leadership and Education Fund
Student Policy Manual (English)
Other Policies
Download the Green Dot California Wellness Policy (PDF) >>
Student & Staff Interaction Policy from Green Dot's Employee Code of Conduct >>
Uniform Policy
It is the goal of Ánimo College Prep Academy to create a safe, orderly, and academically focused environment. Research shows that when combined with other appropriate measures, dress code policies have a positive impact on school climate, student behavior and academic success.
Tops: Black collared shirts, preferably “Polo style.” The only approved logo or lettering is that of Ánimo College Prep Academy. Shirts should fit students appropriately. Only grey, white or black undershirts may be worn beneath uniform shirt.
Bottoms: Khaki trouser-style pants, shorts, or skirts. Sweat pants are not allowed. Trousers are to be worn at least ankle length but not touching the ground. Trousers, shorts and skirts must be sized to fit and worn at the waist. Hems should be neat, not frayed.
Shoes: All footwear must have closed toes and closed heels. No house shoes, slippers, or sandals of any kind are allowed.
Accessories: Hats, bandanas, wave caps, visors or head coverings of any kind for boys or girls are unacceptable unless they are completely black or are the Jordan High School beanies.
Girls may wear solid white, black or beige leggings/ tights under skirts or shorts of appropriate length.
Belts must be tan, brown or black, standard width and worn properly at waist level.
Students may wear solid black, white or gray sweaters/ sweatshirts over uniform shirts if necessary. Sweater/ sweatshirt should fit student appropriately. The only approved logo, emblem or lettering is that of Ánimo College Prep Academy.
Symbols: Symbols, either sewn or pinned onto clothes, backpacks or jewelry, may not display any messages of intolerance, gang, drug or sexual references. Such symbols will not be tolerated on any school materials or supplies.
We must establish the integrity of our dress code. A student who is not in uniform will be given opportunities to correct his/ her attire, including using “loaner clothing” if it is available. Nonetheless, the student should expect disciplinary action consistent with our progressive discipline policy.
Casual / Free Dress Code
The Casual Dress/ Free Dress Code is to be followed at any time that students are not required to wear uniforms unless more specific directions regarding dress are given. Such times include informal school dances and “free dress” days. The principal authorizes and approves all such days. These days may celebrate various holidays or themes, but the following rules always apply:
- Students are permitted to wear casual pants and shorts, including clean and un-torn jeans.
- Students are permitted to wear tee-shirts, sweatshirts or other casual shirts/blouses provided they are modest and do not make reference to drugs, alcoholic beverages, taverns, violence, offensive activities, intolerance messages, etc.
- “Double meaning” and gang affiliated symbolism is not permitted.
- Students may not wear, at any time, clothing that reveals the midriff (stomach/waist).
- Students may not wear tank tops or sleeveless attire.
- Students may not wear skirts or shorts if they are shorter than the uniform skirts or shorts (knee-length).
- Students may not wear sandals/ open-toe shoes.
- Students may not wear caps, hats, or scarves at any time.
- Sweatbands are not to be worn on students’ heads or wrists.
- Symbols, either sewn or pinned onto clothes, backpacks or jewelry, may not display any intolerance messages, gang, drug or sexual references.
- Students suspected of dressing in gang-affiliated colors will be directed to change or asked to leave campus at administrative discretion.
Electronics Policy
Students are not permitted to use electronic devices, including mobile phones, iPods or music devices, video game devices, etc. during instructional time. Students may only use electronic devices during lunch and nutrition. All devices shall be completely turned off (not in vibration mode) and out of sight during instructional time. A school official may confiscate such items.
Progressive Discipline for electronic violations:
1st offense: electronics confiscated and returned at the end of the day.
2nd offense: electronics confiscated and returned at the end of the day/parents notified.
3rd offense: electronics confiscated. Parent/guardian must pick up the electronics.
Ánimo College Preparatory Academy
2265 E 103rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90002
Phone: (323) 568-4136