ASCENT Program
ASCENT is a "5th Year high school" program. After completing high school, eligible seniors can take college courses for one year, full time, tuition free, at Front Range Community College or Aims Community College. ASCENT students do not attend high school classes.
Requirements:
- Has completed, or is on schedule to complete, at least 9 credit hours (semester hours or equivalent) of transcripted, credit-bearing, college-level postsecondary coursework* prior to completing his/her 12th grade year. Remedial/developmental education college courses do not qualify as part of the 9 required credits.
- No remedial/developmental education college courses.
- Is college ready and not in need of basic skills coursework in the selected pathway in which he/she enrolls.
- Completes an Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) prior to declaring intent to participate in ASCENT.
- Applies to and is accepted into a postsecondary degree program at a qualified Colorado institution of higher education.
- Has been selected for participation by his/her high school principal or equivalent school administrator.
- Has not been designated an ASCENT program participant in any prior year (can only participate in ASCENT for 1 academic year).
- Are required to authorize the use of your College Opportunity Fund (COF) to help pay for your college course costs at a college/university that receives COF funding. Please note that college-level credits earned through ASCENT will be deducted from the student's COF lifetime credits account maximum.
- Complete the application process during senior year.
- If applied to Front Range Community College please call the advising/scheduling line at 970-204-8332 to set up an appointment with your advisor by MARCH 1st 2024 to ensure you will get into all the classes you want to during your ASCENT program.
- More information can be found on the TSD website.
Benefits:
- There is no tuition cost for ASCENT courses. The district will also cover all fees and books for ASCENT students.
Deadline to Apply for ASCENT:
- The deadline to submit your ASCENT registration form for the 25/26 school year is April 24, 2025.
ASCENT Paperwork
- Please note the deadlines for all 2023-2024 paperwork.
Who to contact:
- For questions, please reach out to Tyler Schlagel at tyler.schlagel@tsd.org.
Concurrent Enrollment Resources
Aims Community College and Front Range Community College courses that high school students can take for high school and college credit.
TREP Program
The TREP program creates the opportunity for qualified students in an educator career pathway to concurrently enroll in postsecondary courses and earn college credit at no tuition costs to them or their families, for up to two years after the 12th grade year.
Aims-Career Academy Program
The Career Academy Program at Aims Community College allows students to earn both high school and college credit and acquire skills and qualifications for entry-level positions. Best of all, there is no cost to participate!