Over the last several decades, thousands of high schools across the country have developed an Academy Model to provide intentional advising and relevant experiences for students' college and career goals. Grand Junction High School is the first Academy Model school on the Western Slope and one of just a handful in Colorado. Our Academies represent four broad career fields, in alignment with the recommendations from the state's Department of Education: Arts and Humanities; Business, Communications, and Entrepreneurship; Environmental Science, Technology, and Engineering; and Health Sciences and Human Services.

When each student enrolls at GJHS, they will work with their counselor to join the Academy that best fits with their interests and strengths. Through their Academy Time class, core classes, and electives, they will learn more about fields they are interested in,  have opportunities to hear from experts, and develop post-secondary and workforce readiness skills. Students have the opportunity to complete one or more Pathways by participating in classes and experiences related to a career cluster. Pathway completion is recognized at graduation.

All students will still complete District 51's graduation requirements while participating in their Academy. Every year, they will also complete college and workforce readiness activities satisfying the state's Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) requirement. Students will graduate with a completed digital Tiger Portfolio in which they reflect on their learning over their four years of high school, demonstrate their readiness for life after school, and share work samples and other achievements for colleges and employers to see.