86% of this year’s graduating class completed one or more Grad Plus quadrant

En Español

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. This graduation season, many students have gone above and beyond the standard requirements of a diploma thanks to BVSD’s Grad Plus framework. 

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. The goal being that BVSD graduates are exceptionally prepared for an ever-changing workforce. The Grad Plus framework supports a variety of career paths, including those that require college and or technical education.

2,193 graduates earned the Grad Plus medals this spring, with 725 of those earning industry certifications, 2089 earning college credit, 300 with work-based learning experiences and internships, and 660 Seal of Biliteracy recipients.

Of this year's graduating class, 79% are graduating with three or more college credits. Close to 27% of graduates earned the Seal of Biliteracy in 15 languages with Bosian, Hebrew and Portuguese joining the list this year.

For the second year, 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 will earn a Grad Plus Medal with a pin or pins that represent each quadrant or quadrants that the students have completed.

ASCENT program

The focus on Grad Plus courses, internships and experiences has led to an increase in the amount of BVSD students qualifying for ASCENT,  a program that provides free tuition for the first year of college at either Front Range Community College or Metropolitan State University Denver. If a student plans appropriately and begins taking concurrent enrollment courses their junior year, the ASCENT program can assist in completing two years of college tuition free. To participate, students must have a minimum of 9 college credits completed by May of their senior year.

This year 65 BVSD students are participating in the ASCENT program earning a free first year of college tuition. Last year 38 students participated, up from only four in 2023 as BVSD works to help eligible students and their families learn about and enroll in the program.

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