A new record: 90% of 2026 graduates earned one or more Grad Plus quadrant

This year, graduates in the Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) broke another record as the majority of BVSD seniors (90%) went above and beyond the standard requirements to graduate, earning one or more quadrants in BVSD’s Grad Plus framework. 

A traditional high school diploma signifies a student has achieved the basic requirements of course completion and state performance measures in math and language arts. Grad Plus aims to expand graduates' skill sets by providing every student with learning opportunities and credentials that offer a head start on a career or postsecondary education.

2,241 graduates in the Class of 2026 earned Grad Plus recognition: 2,119 secured college credit, 823 earned industry certifications, 318 attained work-based experience and internships, 676 seniors earned the Seal of Biliteracy, and 51 earned the Seal of Climate Literacy.

Whether it’s through college-level coursework, technical certifications, or real-world career experience, the framework ensures that every BVSD graduate leaves our halls with a significant head start and the confidence to navigate an evolving professional landscape. The Grad Plus framework supports a variety of career paths, including those that require college and or technical education.

BVSD graduates who have completed one or more of the Grad Plus Quadrants: College Credits, Industry Certifications, the Seal of Biliteracy, and or Work-Based Learning earn a Grad Plus Medal with a pin or pins that represent each quadrant or quadrants that the students have completed.

These numbers aren't just statistics; they represent thousands of individual success stories and a student body that is more prepared than ever to lead, innovate, and succeed in whatever comes next.

Learn more about the Grad Plus framework along with career and college opportunities on the BVSD Grad Plus website.

Dare to Dream program: Career exploration for every student, at every age

The roots of the Grad Plus Framework start at the elementary level through our Dare to Dream career exploration programs. With a focus on BVSD’s youngest students, Dare to Dream is designed to plant the seeds of future success long before a student reaches high school.

By introducing career exploration as early as Pre-K and elementary school, the initiative takes advantage of a time when children’s brains are the most imaginative, full of possibilities and connecting classroom lessons in math and science to the real-world. 

A central part of this early foundation is career exposure. Through immersive Dare. to Dream career weeks, students transition from simply asking "What do I want to be?" to discover their own unique talents and interests.

They engage with a diverse array of guest speakers—ranging from aerospace engineers and video game developers to custodians, journalists and construction teams—who share their professional journeys.

Whether they are "Dressing for their dream" or participating in gamified tools like Pathfinder Galaxy, our youngest learners are building the curiosity and confidence needed to eventually soar through Grad Plus.

Learn more about the Dare to Dream program: Career exploration for every student, at every age.