ASCENT

ASCENT (Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment) is a “5th Year Program” in which seniors remain enrolled in high school and take a year of college classes. To qualify, students need to have met all of their high school graduation requirements and have 9 credit hours of college-level courses prior to the end of their senior year. 

Learn more about ASCENT on the CDE website

This program enables students to take college classes while District 11 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.

ASCENT Student Eligibility

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. 

• Have a GPA of at least 2.0. 

• 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 credits while in high school. AP classes only count if the test scores have already been accepted by the college and on a college transcript. 

• 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 Pikes Peak State College, Colorado State University Pueblo, and University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

• 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 more than ASCENT at a four year college. 

1. Complete interest form/application on the D11 website. 

2. Update ICAP Postsecondary goal to reflect your course within the certificate or degree plan you are working toward. 

3. Contact and meet with school/career and college counselor.

4. Once approved, complete any required testing or qualifying measures. 

5. Apply to the Institution of Higher Education (IHE) that offers the course or program.  

6. Complete student eligibility worksheet in prep for fall schedule advising appointments. 

7. Confirm with D11 counselor and college Advisor all steps were completed and confirm schedule with Part Time or Full Time status by credit load.

8. Order textbooks or required supplies (prior to the start of class) which can be charged to D11 through PPCC for the ASCENT program only.

D11 pays for the tuition either at part time or full-time credit load, the student is responsible for books and other expenses. 

No. D11 will only pay for tuition. 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 or first-year student. 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. The GPA of the 5th year college work will calculate into the final HS GPA. 

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 graduate with that class. 

UCCS -University of Colorado Colorado Springs, PPSC- Pikes Peak State College, and CSUP Colorado State University Pueblo.

Students can register and apply for a part-time slot between 3 and 11 credit hours, or a full-time slot of 12 or more credits. 

Fall semester at minimum, A student could technically participate on a semester basis. Enrollment in the fall semester is required and if a student chooses to not enroll in courses in the spring semester, they will have no penalty.  D11 encourages students to take advantage of financial support for the full year, but a student can stop participating. 

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.

NO, students must self-transport. 

• D11 high school seniors who have met all graduation requirements and who have completed at least 9 college credit hours may apply for ASCENT.                                

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

• Students who take a year or two of Career Start courses or any student who has completed or is on track to complete the required 9 college credits through traditional CE can apply.

• 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. 

•  If students are using AP coursework, the credits must be on the transcript by April 30th of the student's 4th year for it to count towards the 9 credit eligibility. 

• Undocumented students can participate in ASCENT.

Students will need to make a final commitment to the program by April 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.