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College Before Graduation

CBG allows students to earn college or industry certifications and high school credits simultaneously

Important Information

Virtual information session about our District Select spring courses
Tuesday, November 30th, at 7 pm

Click on the icon to view the slideshow or the recorded version of this presentation.

Deadlines to turn all BVSD paperwork into your counselor:

	Campus Select*	District Select
Spring 2022	November 15, 2021	December 3, 2021
Summer 2022	April 15, 2022	May 17, 2022
Fall 2022	May 1, 2022	August 18, 2022

*Campus Select: If you do not receive notification of approval by December 1, please contact CareerandCollege@bvsd.org.

ASCENT: February 1 (of your senior year)

Please visit college websites (CU Boulder, FRCC) for updated COVID information and policies.

Before you sign up, talk to your parents/guardians about the program. Make sure you have their support. Research which courses you are interested in taking and talk to your counselor about how it will work with your schedule and how the course aligns with your career path.

Sign Up Here
Are You Ready?

Sign Up Here

ENROLLMENT PROCEDURE

Step 1

Discuss the College Before Graduation program with your parent/guardian. Meet with your counselor to determine if the courses you want to take will work with your high school schedule. If you are not sure which courses to take, reach out to FRCC and CU Boulder for more direction on career pathways.

Marz Almanza (FRCC) 303-678-3690 Bilingual in Spanish					Jared Martin (CU Boulder) Enrollment Services Office Manager Jared.Martin@colorado.edu

Step 2

Complete the 'CBG request form' for the semester you are requesting. This needs to be completed every semester.

Spring 2022 CBG Request form

Step 3

Complete the 'CBG agreement form' which must be signed by you, your parent/guardian, and your high school counselor. This needs to be completed every semester.

CBG Agreement form
Click here for the agreement form in Spanish

Step 4

Apply to the college. After your counselor has approved your course selection, you are responsible for working with the college, registering for the approved course(s), and paying the appropriate tuition and/or fees.

See this CU Spring checklist & Welcome Letter
FRCC checklist for more details.

Step 5

Turn in your course schedule to your high school counselor. Continue to communicate with your counselor and parents/guardian on your progress. We want you to be successful so if you are struggling with the course, let us know early on so we can help you to find the support you need.

OFFICE OF DISABILITY SERVICES

If you have specific, individual needs (i.e. 504 or IEP), you must contact CU’s/FRCC's Office of Disability Services to learn about how your needs will be met. Accommodations provided at the high school may not be allowed as reasonable accommodations at the college level. Please do this as soon as possible so that accommodations are in place when classes start. For more information from the Colorado Department of Education please click here.

If you need help with any Front Range Community College steps please email BCcollegenow @frontrange.edu or call 303-678-3764 or 303-678-3690.

Are You Ready?

Are you ready to take a college course in high school?

Consider if this is the right time to take a college course. Talk to your parents/guardians and high school counselor to see if you are ready. There are many factors to think about, including:

Will it work with your schedule? Taking a campus select course will often require an adjustment to your high school schedule. Also, think about your other commitments. You are required to be show up, be on time, and participate in the class.
Are you disciplined to handle the extra workload? You will need to reserve about 6 hours a week of study time to complete a 3 credit hour class.
You must get a grade of 'C' or higher for BVSD to pay for the class.
Will your credits transfer? You will also need to think about how your credit will transfer based on your career pathway.

What are my responsibilities as a student?

Grades earned become part of the student's permanent college transcript and GPA which can have an impact on admissions and financial aid. Please consider wisely if this program is appropriate. Courses taken Pass/Fail or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory are not covered in this program. In courses where a letter grade below a 'C" is given (including a 'D', 'F', 'W', or 'I'), the family agrees to reimburse the district for the costs paid. Students are responsible for knowing and following all district and college deadlines.

If you plan to take more than 2-3 college courses, be strategic. It's not about how many credits you earn while in high school. What's important is how many of those credits will be accepted by your intended college or university. Work with your high school counselor and a college advisor to optimize the value of this program. Transferology is a resource to consider; however, we advise that you check with the college directly.

Who approves and pays for the courses?

All courses must be approved by the student's high school principal and counselor. BVSD pays the equivalent of the current Colorado community college tuition rate for courses at Front Range Community College, CCCOnline, and CU Boulder. CU Boulder tuition rates are higher ($300/credit hour). Families are responsible for the paying the difference plus books and fees as required by each school. Fees varies by course and can be as high as a few hundred dollars.

Reach out to our department if you have any questions.

Concurrent Enrollment

The College Before Graduation program allows students to earn high school and college credit concurrently, either by taking an approved course on a college campus or at a BVSD high school.

District Select Courses

DISTRICT SELECT Courses - Front Range Community College Courses for BVSD students only - Check back frequently for course updates

SPRING 2022

COM 130 (GT-AH1) Communication and Popular Culture - 3 credits - Mon/Wed 6-7:15 pm - Centaurus High School - Successful completion counts towards 5 credits of BVSD Communications requirement. Introduces four key theoretical models for examining popular culture: Narrative Theory, Rhetorical Theory, Gender Theory, and Critical Race Theory. Emphasis is on popular American media texts, including books, comics/graphic novels, films, music, and television. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH1 category. Instructor: Mary Butler

SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (GT-SS3) - 3 credits - Tues/Thurs 6-7:15 pm - Centaurus High School - Successful completion counts towards 5 credits of BVSD general electives. This course examines the basic concepts, theories, and principles of sociology, including topics of culture, race, class, gender, sexuality, social groups, and deviance through a local and global lens. Analyzes and interprets socio-historic as well as contemporary issues by using critical thinking skills and linking individual experiences to social structures. (GT-SS3). Instructor: Jo Painz

CSC 119 Introduction to Programming - 3 credits - Mon/Wed 5:30-7:30 - Boulder High School - Successful completion counts towards 5 credits of BVSD Practical Experience requirement. Focuses on a general introduction to computer programming. Emphasizes the design and implementation of structured and logically correct programs with good documentation. Focuses on basic programming concepts, including numbering systems, control structures, modularization, and data processing. A structured programming language is used to implement the student's program designs. Instructor: Michael Madden

MAT 107 Career Mathematics - 3 credits - Centaurus High School - This course is recommended for students planning to earn technical industry certificates. Time and location TBD. Successful completion counts towards 5 credits of BVSD Math and demonstrated competency in Math. Covers material designed for career and technical students who need to study particular mathematical topics. Topics include measurement, algebra, geometry, statistics, and graphs. These are presented at an introductory level and the emphasis is on applications. This course is often required on Associates of Applied Science (AAS) degrees, on both career technical and general studies pathways. MAT 107 is not a Guaranteed Transfer course. AAS degrees prepare students for the workforce. Instructor: TBD Guided Self-Placement Survey

SUMMER 2022

ENG 121 English Composition I (GT-CO1) - 3 credits - meets 5 credits of LA Elective requirement - Emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions, including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a wide variety of compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing.

PHI 112 Ethics (GT-AH3) - 3 credits - meets 5 credits of General Elective requirement - Examines human life, experience, and thought in order to discover and develop the principles and values for pursuing a more fulfilled existence. Theories designed to justify ethical judgments are applied to a selection of contemporary personal and social issues.

CSC 119 Introduction to Programming - 3 credits - meets 5 credits of BVSD Practical Experience requirement - Focuses on a general introduction to computer programming. Emphasizes the design and implementation of structured and logically correct programs with good documentation. Focuses on basic programming concepts, including numbering systems, control structures, modularization, and data processing. A structured programming language is used to implement the student's program designs.

FALL 2022

PSY 102 General Psychology II (GT-SS3) - 3 credits - meets 5 credits of General Elective requirement - Focuses on the scientific study of behavior including cognition, language, intelligence, psychological assessment, personality, abnormal psychology, therapy, life span development and social psychology.

Additional courses are being considered.

High School Select

Campus Select

Concurrent Enrollment vs Dual Enrollment

Resources

Front Range Community College (FRCC)

Effective for the Spring 2022 semester, all students taking classes on the college campus will have a choice to:

Submit evidence to the college that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or
Agree to weekly COVID-19 testing with prompt submission of test results or
If students do not want to upload vaccination verification or test regularly, students can take online classes

This does not apply to courses taught at the high school site.

More details and updated information can be found here: COVID protocol.

After you have been approved to take a college course, you will need to apply to FRCC. Here are some resources to get you started.

Contact email for the Boulder County Campus: bccollegenow@frontrange.edu.

Jaime Bertrand, APTD
303-678-3764
CollegeNow - Student Services Coordinator

Marz Almanza
303-678-3690
Bilingual in Spanish

Course Information

Spring 2022 Boulder Campus
Spring 2022 Westminster Campus

Real Time Remote/Synchronous
Spring 2022 Online

New Student Application Process

All students attending FRCC must apply as a new student. Click here for video instructions. Enrolling as a new student with FRCC is a two-step process.

1) Create an account
2) Submit a new undergraduate application

After you submit the application, FRCC will assign you a 'S' number or FRCC student ID. You will use this number to sign up for classes so write it down or keep a copy. Make sure you sign up for COF (Colorado Opportunity Fund) when enrolling.

If you have successfully applied to FRCC, you should have a FRCC student ID. Now you are ready to register for classes online in your student eWOLF account. Click here for video instructions. Pay attention to register deadlines! You will need the CRN from your high school counselor.

Note: This does not apply for high school select courses, those courses will have a different CRN number which the district will provide.

Student Fees

Click here for a list of possible Student Fees (fees vary depending on campus and online classes; student is responsible for paying student fees. If funds are available, BVSD will pay fees for students in need)

FRCC Checklist for Concurrent Enrollment

FRCC checklist - Review this checklist to make sure you have completed all of the steps

Support Services

Students taking classes through FRCC are encouraged to utilize these services:

For BVSD students in any Front Range Community College course, individual and small group tutoring is available for writing assistance. Please contact BVSD.WritingTutor@gmail.com to set up an appointment. All sessions are free of charge.

Guaranteed Transfer (GT) Pathway Courses

GT Pathways courses, in which the student earns a C- or higher, will always transfer and apply to GT Pathways requirements in AA, AS and most bachelor's degrees at every public Colorado college and university.

FRCC GT Courses

For more information about FRCC college programs for high school students: click here.

CU Boulder

Starting Fall 2021, CU Boulder is requiring students taking courses on campus to be vaccinated against COVID-19. CU Vaccine FAQs

Contact info for CU Boulder:

Jared Martin
Enrollment Services Office Manager | High School ACCESS Program Manager
Jared.Martin@colorado.edu

Tuition

BVSD pays only the local community college tuition rate (after COF is applied), regardless of which college or university the student attends. For example, tuition for approved courses taken at Colorado Community Colleges are fully covered, but families are responsible for the additional tuition costs of any other public post-secondary institution.

Click here for next steps after submitting BVSD paperwork

Spring student welcome letter

CU Tuition and Fees

CU Academic Calendar (including drop deadlines)

Support Services

Students taking classes through CU Boulder are encouraged to utilize these services:

Guaranteed Transfer (GT) Pathway Courses

CU Boulder Courses

Information Session Recordings

College Before Graduation FAQs

What types of classes can students take through this program?

In order to save time and money, you will need to plan strategically so that your credits not only transfer but also apply to future academic or industry requirements. Learn more about transferability.

Students may take courses that are part of the Colorado Guaranteed Transfer program, apply to a postsecondary degree or industry certificate, or is a gateway course. For the student interested in preparing for ASCENT or getting a head start on college general education requirements, here is a checklist to track progress.

To learn more about the difference between degrees and certificates, click here.

Many students save lots of money by getting their Associate's Degree at a Community College before transferring to a 4-year University in Colorado. To get started while in high school, learn more about the Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreements.

Classes must be aligned with the student's ICAP. Based on documented student need, at this time remedial courses may be approved for 12th graders only.

Audited courses (courses taken for "No Credit) will not be approved

What age/grade requirements are there for the program?

What costs are students/families responsible for?

Per the legislative guidelines, BVSD pays only the local community college tuition rate (after College Opportunity Fund (COF) is applied), regardless of which college or university the student attends. For example, tuition for approved courses taken at Front Range Community College are fully covered, but families are responsible for the additional tuition costs of University of Colorado, Boulder.

Additionally, families will need to cover the cost of fees and books associated with the college-level course. Please note that many institutions are no longer mailing a bill, but providing it on the online student account.

It is the responsibility of the family to reimburse the District in a timely fashion for the prepaid tuition costs and any other financial assistance should the student either register and take a course that was not approved or earn in the approved college course/s a grade of “D”, “F”, "I", or “W”. Payment plans can be set up if needed.

Families who have a significant financial hardship and are unable to pay the additional tuition, fees, textbook and/or transportation costs associated with the college course/s may apply to the District to seek financial assistance. Financial assistance is limited.

How is it determined if a student qualifies for the program?

A student will first meet with their counselor to discuss the appropriateness of taking college level courses. These courses must align with the student’s ICAP. The proper forms must be completed and submitted (see checklist for Front Range Community College or University of Colorado). The district will provide final approval to all courses.

Students receiving a "D", "F", "I", or "W" in prior college courses will not be allowed to continue the program.

How many college courses can a student take per semester?

A student may take 2 college courses a semester. Exceptions will be made for CTE programs that require more than 2 courses a semester. Other exceptions may be made with the counselor and building administrator’s recommendation. Each CBG student must be a full-time BSVD student to be eligible for the program. They must take five (5) or more total courses per semester, or 12 credits at the college level.

Am I guaranteed a seat in courses approved by BVSD?

No. Placement into a course is determined by the college and may require a placement test or approval from an instructor.

Also, students are allowed into courses on a space-available basis. Please register for your courses as soon as the college allows. See the calendar here. CU does not open their course registration to High School students until shortly before courses begin.

Is tuition for summer courses covered?

Why do I see the full tuition amount on my bill?

Will credits earned in these courses transfer to any college or university?

Colleges and universities determine which credits they will accept. Colleges issuing credit do not determine which credits will transfer to another school. However, if a course is listed as a Guaranteed Transfer course (GT), credits will be accepted by any Colorado public colleges if they apply to your program. If you are concerned about college credits earned while in high school transferring, please check with the accepting college. Some universities have policies that limit the number or type of credits they will transfer in.