Academy of Health Sciences

  • The Academy of Health Sciences at Falcon High School in Falcon School District 49 is a four-year program designed to introduce students to a variety of health career professions. The academy strives to ensure a smooth transition from high school education into meaningful healthcare industry-related employment or related post-secondary education. Several AOHS courses offer college credit through an agreement with Pikes Peak Community College. A student taking such courses is eligible to earn 25 college credits.

    There are three AOHS registered nurse vocational health instructors. Connie Michaels-Lipp has a clinical background in behavioral health, chemical dependency treatment and school nursing, along with acute care quality assurance and utilization review. She serves as the Academy of Health Sciences program coordinator. Michaels-Lipp is also a Pikes Peak Community College nursing adjunct instructor and CNA coordinator for the Pikes Peak Community College Falcon Nurse Aide Program. The other AOHS instructors are Rachel Lamb, who has clinical experience in oncology, intensive and coronary care and school nursing; Jillian Boots is a Registered Nurse with a background in cardiology, pediatrics, nursery, obstetrics and gynecology and Department of Corrections. The emergency services courses are taught by our Pikes Peak Community College instructor, Matt Gibbs.  Matt has taught in K-8 classrooms and has been an PPCC adjunct instructor for several years.  He is also currently employed by Falcon Fire Protection District and coordinates the PARTY (Prevent Alcohol and Risk Related Trauma in Youth) Program in The Colorado Springs region.

    Entrance to the Academy of Health Sciences is available to 9th-12th graders. Special arrangements may be made for those students entering the academy after their freshman year. AOHS students attend Falcon High School on a full-time basis. Students residing outside the Falcon High School neighborhood feeder system may request to choice into the school by completing a school of choice application.
     
    AOHS educators encourage and assist students in arranging volunteer, internship, and job-shadowing opportunities to enhance their learning regarding the healthcare professions. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the extracurricular student organization HOSA-Future Health Professionals. Falcon HOSA has three very active chapters that have been successful at the national competitive level in recent years. HOSA is a valuable resource for students interested in out-of-classroom learning experiences. More information is available at HOSA.org.  
     

AOHS Curriculum

  • 9th Grade 12th Grade
    Health Careers
    EMT(2 semesters)
    10th Grade
    Medical Terminology
     
    Health II
    (2 semesters)
    Ethical and Legal Issues in Health
     
    		 Nursing Assistant (CNA)
    Other Optional Classes
    Anatomy/Physiology
    (2 Semesters) 
    Nursing Assistant Clinical
    (Summer)
    Biotechnology

    		 EMS First Responder
    Chemistry
    		 Pathophysiology
    Forensic Science

    		 Athletic Training

    Health Information
    Technology (HIT)
     

AOHS Resources

AOHS Highlights

  • May Bombria (16), Fayth Smith (16), Kierstin Estepp (17), and Chai Bensenberg (17) stop to show the blanket they were making Strong FHS Showing at 2017 Colorado HOSA State Leadership Conference- More than 750 secondary and post-secondary students interested in health care careers attended the Future Health Professionals (HOSA) State Leadership Conference March 7-9 at the Denver Renaissance-Stapleton. Students attended general sessions, educational symposiums and competed in over 50 different competitive events.

    Twenty Falcon High School HOSA students participated in the competition and each student advanced to at least the second round of their event. Six students brought eight medals back to Falcon Nation. FHS HOSA members placed in the top ten thirteen other times.

    FHS was recognized as the school with the most donated volunteer hours per student in the state. Olivia Eldredge, 16, sophomore, placed first in researched persuasive writing and speaking. Junior Marisa Edmonds, 16, placed second in medical reading. Third-place medals were earned in dental terminology, medical terminology, forensic medicine, and first aid/CPR.

    Medalists are eligible to represent Colorado HOSA at the HOSA International Leadership Conference in June 21-24 in Orlando, Fla.
     
    Connie Michaels-Lipp, Academy of Health Sciences Department chair and Colorado HOSA sponsor of the year, was recently featured in a #49StaffSaturday video.