Early College

What is an Early College?

  • A high School that provides a curriculum that requires each student to enroll in and complete secondary and postsecondary courses while enrolled in the four years of high school.

  • At the end of high school the student will have completed the requirements of a high school diploma and an associate degree or other postsecondary credential (Colorado Department of Education). 

Concurrent Enrollment

  • A program that provides high school students with the opportunity to enroll in college courses and earn college credit at no tuition cost to them or their families (Colorado Department of Education).

Students who attend CEC Early College must graduate with either a(n):

  • Industry certification

  • College certificate

  • Associate degree

  • Or 60 college credits

Benefits of an Early College

Data shows us that students in Concurrent Enrollment programs are more likely to:

  • Enroll in college within one year following high school graduation.

  • Complete their postsecondary education.

  • Have higher workforce earnings after postsecondary completion.

  • At CEC, concurrent enrollment courses count for weighted GPA (honors credit).

  • 1 semester of academic college classes earn two semesters of high school credit

  • Guaranteed college credit (grade of C or higher)

  • CEC students taking college classes at CCD have a weekly support meeting with a CEC school counselor.

Source: Colorado Department of Education

CEC programs that offer college certificates:

  • Advanced Manufacturing

  • Automotive Technology

  • Construction Technology

  • Culinary Arts

  • Cybersecurity

  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

  • Film/Video Production

  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) 

  • Teaching

  • Video Game Design

  • Welding

Schedules

  • 9th and 10th graders who are full-time will spend their entire day at CEC.

  • 11th Graders who are full-time will split their day between CEC & CCD.  Midday bus transportation will be provided.

  • 12th graders’ schedules will depend on their goals.  If they are seeking an associate degree they will be full-time at CCD.

  • Part-time students will spend ½ of their day at CEC and ½ of their day at their home school.

Sample schedule (for a full time 11th grader in concurrent enrollment)

Mornings at Community College of Denver for academic classes  (CEC classrooms/teachers)

  • College math–College Algebra (CEC instructor)

  • College English- Composition 1 (CEC instructor)

  • College Social Science-General Psychology (CEC instructor)

  • High school science-physics (CEC teacher)

School bus back to CEC for lunch and afternoon career program

  • Advisement (social/emotional/academic/social justice curriculum, etc.)

  • Career program

**Regular math, English, and social studies are offered, too. Students can mix and match**

Full-time Enrollment
Part-time Enrollment