Northfield High School

An International Baccalaureate World School
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A Note from the Nest...

Quezada
Northfield Family Engagement Specialist Ms. Brenda Quezada

Dear Northfield Families,

As we wrap up the first semester of the 24/25 school year, we reflect on all the great accomplishments of our students and staff. December was filled with outstanding achievements. Congratulations to our performing arts students who received high marks at ThesCon; Nighthawk Football Coach and Northfield Teacher, Ben Startzer, who was named as All Conference 4A Denver Metro League Coach of the Year, Varsity Cheer and Poms teams achievements and SO MUCH MORE. Well done, Nighthawks!

Thank you to our families and The Northfield High School Foundation for being integral parts of our school community.

We wish the Northfield Community a happy holiday season and a safe Winter Break. Enjoy your time off; classes resume on Tuesday, Jan. 7. 

Brenda Quezada
Family Engagement Specialist
Northfield High School

Northfield Hawk Heads

Important Dates

Monday, Dec. 23 - Friday, Jan. 3: Winter Break
Monday, Jan. 6: No School; District Professional Learning Day
Tuesday, Jan. 7: Second Semester Classes Begin (Gold/Odd Day)

Northfield News

First Semester Grades Now Available within DPS Parent Portal

First semester grades are now available in Infinite Campus via the DPS Parent Portal. Northfield High School does not mail home report cards. Once in the portal, click on ‘See All Apps’ at the top of the page, and then ‘Infinite Campus.' From here, select ‘Grades’ located within the left column. Transcripts will reflect first semester grades in January.

For questions about specific grades, contact your student's teacher. Please note: Northfield teachers are on Winter Break until Monday, Jan. 6; they will not check email during this time. If you experience issues with the Parent Portal, please contact Parent Portal support.

Access Testing for Multi-Language Learners

Beginning Monday, Jan. 13, Multilingual Learners (MLLs) in grades 9-12 will participate in ACCESS testing for English Language Learners. This assessment measures a student’s English language skills in the areas of speaking, listening, reading and writing. ACCESS is used by classroom teachers to determine the level of language support a student may need during instruction. With this information, Northfield is able to monitor student progress on an annual basis and determine placement and supports.

Introducing Northfield's First-Ever Robotics Team

Northfield is starting a robotics competition team in 2025! Combining the excitement of sport with the rigors of STEM, FIRST® Robotics Competition teams use sophisticated technology to build and program industrial-sized robots to play an action-packed, alliance-based game on a themed field that changes every year. With guidance from mentors and sponsors, students learn engineering and problem-solving skills they can apply to real-world situations today and in the future. Teams of students, ages 14- to 18-years-old, and in grades 9-12, compete for awards, while creating a team identity, raising funds, honing teamwork skills, and advancing respect and appreciation for STEM within the local community.

The theme for this year’s game is REEFSCAPE℠ - a new challenge launching Jan. 4, 2025. FIRST Robotics Competition teams will use their engineering skills to strengthen one of the ocean’s most diverse habitats – making waves to build a better world. 

Nighthawk students interested in being part of this exciting new opportunity can reach out to Northfield Team Sponsor and Science Teacher, Ms. Anna Noble. Stay tuned for more information about the virtual launch watch party on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. 

Robotics

Northfield's e-Sports Team Receives High Marks at District Tournament

esports team
Northfield's Mario Kart team places second at DPS Esports Tournament.

The faces of Northfield's second place Mario Kart team from the DPS Esports Tournament. Congratulations to (left to right) Layton Meek ('26), Zev Melamed ('27), Carter Tulk ('28) and Natalia Henry ('25). 📸 credit: Mary Amor Photography

A Note to Seniors from Northfield's Denver Scholarship Foundation

DSF

Winter Break; Classes resume on Tuesday, Jan. 7

Happy Holidays
Northfield staff members pose in holiday sweaters with special guest The Grinch.

Winter Break is officially here! Northfield High School will close at 4 p.m. today, Friday, Dec. 20, and will remain closed until Monday, Jan. 6. Classes resume on Tuesday, Jan. 7; students will follow a Gold/Odd Day schedule.

Prospective Student, Family Open House: Wednesday, Jan. 15

January Open House

Mark your calendars for Wednesday, Jan. 15, 6-8 p.m., for Northfield's Open House for prospective students and their families. The evening is designed as a "sit and get" presentation to learn about academic, athletic and student life offerings. Following the presentation, attendees can interact with representatives from each department. The open house will take place in the cafeteria located in Building 1. No RSVP is needed to attend.

Updated Covid-19 Guidelines

In March 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its respiratory virus guidance for people with COVID-19. The updates align with guidance for other respirator viruses, including the flu and RSV. Review the complete guidelines.

DPS Nursing Services

Northfield IB Programming Insights

Coordinator Update: IB Course & Exam Fees and IB Arms; IB Night

Peter Wright and Reina Cruz
Northfield High School's IB Coordinators, Ms. Reina Cruz and Mr. Peter Wright

IB Course & Exam Fees
By the end of today, Friday, Dec. 20, all IB fees should be active within MySchoolBucks. Families receiving scholarships will see their fees reduced depending on the amount of the scholarship. IB exams are available to seniors as they complete their two-year IB classes, as well as juniors completing one-year IB classes. Students registered for IB exams in October, and confirmed their registrations during the week of Nov. 11.

IB exams cost $123 per subject and offer students the opportunity to earn college credit with qualifying scores. Most students leave Northfield with at least three college credits, and some with as many as 30 credits based on their IB exams achievement. 100 percent of the cost of exam fees is paid to IB; Northfield retains $0 of exam registration fees. 

We are pleased to be able to offer no-cost IB exams for students who receive free and reduced price lunch. Students also had the opportunity to apply for scholarships during the registration process and we are pleased to be able to grant these scholarships. Scholarship discounts are reflected on MySchoolBucks.

Students who wish to sign up for exams that they did not initially sign up for will be charged a $39 late fee for each late exam until Wednesday, Jan. 15. Conversely, students wishing to withdraw from an exam can do so until Tuesday, Jan. 14, to receive a full refund. After this date, no refunds will be given, and no additional registrations can be made. 

For late registrations, withdrawals, or other issues, please contact Northfield IB Coordinator, Mr. Peter Wright.

IBARMS
Northfield is part of the IB Association of Rocky Mountain Schools (IBARMS) organization, a space where IB schools share best practices and create connections that can be leveraged to improve student experiences.

In February, Northfield will host an IBARMS Language and Literature for All roundtable. Schools from around the Rocky Mountain region will come to learn about our innovative and successful IB for All model with a focus on Language and Literature. For six years now, nearly all Northfield juniors and seniors have taken IB Language and Literature with the opportunity to take the IB exam at the conclusion of the course. Six years running, nearly 80% of students have earned a 4 or higher on their IB L&L exam, allowing them to earn college credit, skip freshman composition classes, and begin their post-secondary education with strong information literacy skills.

IB Prospective Parent Night
On Tuesday, Jan. 28, 6-8 p.m., Northfield will host an IB for All information session for families of current sophomore students. This session will offer an opportunity to learn about the IB tracks available at Northfield, benefits of the full IB Diploma Program and a chance to ask questions of Northfield's IB Coordinators. We hope to see you there!

ib
Nighthawk Nation

Northfield Nighthawks Game Schedule 

Share the Action. Coaches and/or Families: Please share photos of Northfield student-athletes in action, along with a sentence or two, and we'll include your content in this section! The deadline for submissions is 8 a.m. on Thursdays. Remember to tag @nighthawk.nation in your social media posts.

Northfield Football Coach Named 4A Conference Coach of the Year

Startzer
Nighthawk Nation Football Coach and Teacher Mr. Ben Startzer receives the All Conference 4A Denver Metro League COACH OF THE YEAR award!

Nighthawk Nation Football Coach and Northfield Teacher, Ben Startzer, was named as the All Conference 4A Denver Metro League COACH OF THE YEAR! Shout out to Mr. Startzer. We appreciate all you do in the classroom, on the field and everywhere in between!📸credit: Kocher Imaging

Northfield Varsity Cheerleader Named to First Team All-State; Honorable Mention

Congratulations to Northfield Varsity Cheer Captains and Class of 2025 Seniors Chole Johnson and Ariani Armendariz on earning All-State recognition. Chole was named to First Team All-State and Ariani an All-State Honorable Mention recognition.

C. Johnson
Chole Johnson named to First Team All-State.
A. Armendariz
Ariani Armendariz receives All-State Honorable Mention recognition.

Northfield Poms All-State Honorable Mention

Northfield Poms Varsity Captain Livy Mako joins the ranks of other noteworthy Nighthawk Nation athletes with her recognition for Poms All-State Honorable Mention. Congratulations Livy!

I. Mako
Livy Mako receives Poms All-State Honorable Mention recognition.

Northfield Poms at State

Poms

Last weekend, Northfield Poms team competed at the CHSAA Spirit Competition and placed twelfth in the state. This was the team's first time competing in 5A poms. Next up, the Universal Dance Association in Florida.

Upcoming Northfield Poms Performance at Denver Nuggets Game; Team Fundraising Opportunity

The Northfield Poms team will perform before the Denver Nuggets home game at Ball Arena on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025. Come cheer on the team! A portion of game ticket sales will go toward team fundraising efforts. To see the performance, arrive at your seat an estimated 30-40 minutes before tip off. For questions, contact Northfield Pom Parent, Jamie Nally, at 720-363-1849; or Lyndsay Marchbanks (303-405-7635), the Denver Nuggets contact for ticket questions.

Poms

Questions / Concerns / Compliments

Do you have questions, comments or compliments for Northfield High School? We want to hear your feedback.

DPS & Community News

Tasty Food Winter Break Schedule

Tasty Food sites are open during Winter Break to provide free meals and/or snacks for youth ages 3- to 18-years-old. This critical resource helps families when schools are closed during annual breaks. No registration or ID is required. Find a location near you. *This institution is an equal opportunity provider. All Tasty Food sites are closed Dec. 24 and 25, and Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, in observance of the holidays. Regular operations will continue on all other days during Winter Break.

Tasty Food English
Tasty Food Spanish

Discounted Offers from the Denver Public Schools Foundation

DPS Foundation

Get discounted offers to local sporting events, theatre plays and more, while supporting DPS schools with Denver Public Schools Foundation!

Upcoming Events & Opportunities:

  • Denver Center for the Performing Arts: A Christmas Carol - (through Sunday, Dec. 29).

  • Denver Nuggets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers - Friday, Dec. 27, at 7 p.m. @ Ball Arena.

  • National Western Stock Show: Jan. 11-26, 2025.

  • Urban Air (Denver East): DPS Spirit Night - Sunday, Jan. 12.

*DPS Foundation also has special offers available throughout the year with the Colorado Avalanche, Colorado Mammoth, Colorado Rapids, Colorado Rockies and more! Explore DPS Foundation offers.

About the Denver Public Schools Foundation
The DPS Foundation helps ensure that investment in our schools is directed in the most effective, impactful and lasting way. Our organization galvanizes and mobilizes our entire community to invest in crucial resources and programs that have the greatest impact on student well-being and success, while supporting families and educators. We provide funding support for afterschool programs, career and college success, classroom grants and more. For more information visit dpsfoundation.org.

Northfield High School
5500 Central Park Blvd.
Denver, Colo. 80238