ASCENT Program

This program enables students to take college classes while Boulder Valley School District pays their college tuition (see below for tuition details). With advance planning, it is possible for students to finish the ASCENT Program with an Associate’s Degree or an industry certificate.

Students must: 

• Remain enrolled at the high school for a fifth year (they do not attend classes at the high school) 

• Be under the age of 21. 

• Be on track to meet all high school graduation requirements by the end of their 4th year.

• Have completed, or be on track to complete at least 9 credit hours of college coursework prior to the end of their 4th year of high school. There are a variety of ways to get college credit while in high school. AP and IB classes only count if the test scores have been transcripted as credits by a College.  Please talk to the college’s concurrent enrollment liaison for more details. 

• Not be in need of basic skills or remedial course work as defined by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education’s (CCHE) remedial education policy. 

• Have satisfied the minimum prerequisites for the college courses before enrollment in the course, including having the required ACT, SAT, or Accuplacer scores.  Students are responsible for providing ACT/SAT/ACCUPLACER scores to their counselor for verification. 

• Complete an Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) with high school counselor. 

• Apply to and be accepted into Front Range Community College or Metropolitan State University of Denver. 

• Have not participated in the ASCENT program in previous years.

No. The following students should not participate: 

• Students who want to attend college out of state their freshman year. 

• Students who want to play inter-collegiate sports (NCAA) their freshman year. 

• Students who will require federal financial aid (federal student loans, federal grants) to cover expenses not covered by ASCENT.  For example, some students may benefit from accepting a federal Pell Grant rather than participate in ASCENT, as Pell Grants generally cover an entire year’s expense at local community colleges or four year colleges. 

Boulder Valley School District will pay tuition at the current Colorado Community College rate.  Students may be responsible for payment of fees and books. BVSD may have funds to cover these costs. 

No. BVSD will only pay for tuition, and if funds are available, books and fees. Students will be responsible for paying all other expenses.

Yes. Students are not eligible for any federal student financial aid including federal student loans and grants while participating in ASCENT. Students will qualify for federal aid after they have completed or dropped the program.  Students may disqualify themselves from certain scholarships or grants since 12 semester hours or more earned in college may cause the student to be classified as a transfer student rather than a freshman. It is important for families to weigh all of their financial options before committing to the ASCENT program.  Please be sure to consult with your high school counselor for help with this important decision.

Until students complete the 5th year ASCENT program, they will still be classified as a high school student. High school transcripts will show high school graduation requirements have been met and the student is considered enrolled in ASCENT for a 5th year. Once students complete or stop participating in the ASCENT program, they will receive their high school diploma and be classified as a high school graduate.

Yes! Students will still participate in the graduation ceremony with their high school class. Students will receive a certificate stating that they are an ASCENT student for the following year. At the completion of the ASCENT year, they will receive a high school diploma.

Front Range Community College

Metropolitan State University of Denver

If a student is taking classes during the 5th year through ASCENT, there is no limit to the maximum number of credit hours a student can take unless otherwise restricted per a college’s maximum credit policy. However, Boulder Valley School District will require a minimum number of 12 credit hours each semester to participate in ASCENT if student has requested and was granted full time status.  Part time status requires a minimum of 3 credit hours and no more than 11 credit hours per semester.

No. BVSD encourages students to take advantage of the financial support for the full year, but a student can stop participating any time. If a student drops a class after the final drop deadline or receives a failing grade (“D” or “F”), they will have to petition BVSD to remain in the program.

Students may only enroll in Guarantee Transfer courses (see your counselor for a list of approved courses) and/or courses that apply to a specific career pathway as indicated in the student’s Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP). The courses must apply toward a college degree or industry certificate.

Students may participate in college activities and club sports, but are not eligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics. Students who plan to play NCAA athletics should not participate in ASCENT.

Nothing prevents a student from staying in the dorms while taking college classes through ASCENT. However, the cost of room and board is not covered through the ASCENT program. Students will be responsible for covering these expenses.

No, a student will be responsible for providing their own transportation.

• Students may only participate in the ASCENT program for one academic year. 

• Students will have to apply for and use the Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF). 

• The grades a student receives in the college classes will appear on both their high school transcript and college transcript. 

• Undocumented students can participate in ASCENT.

Students will need to make a final commitment to the program by May of their senior year. 

If students are interested in the program, they need to see their high school counselor right away for more information.  Counselors will work with students to determine if the ASCENT Program is right for them.