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ASCENT

Earn your first year of college credit for free!

Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment

ASCENT is a “5th Year Program” that allows eligible seniors to remain enrolled at the high school and take a fifth year consisting entirely of college classes. The cost of tuition is covered by Adams 12 Five Star Schools. Slots are limited.


To qualify you must meet the following requirements:

  • Remain enrolled at the high school for a fifth year. (You will take courses on the college campus, not on the high school campus.) 
  • Be under the age of 21. 
  • Have a GPA of 2.0 or higher. 
  • Be on track to meet all high school graduation requirements by the end of your senior year. 
  • Have completed, or be on track to complete, at least 9 credit hours of college coursework prior to the completion of your 12th grade year (Concurrent Enrollment classes, CTE courses, and/or AP courses with a qualifying score on the AP exam count towards credit hours - see AP document for more info). 
  • 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 classes before your enrollment in the course, including having the required SAT, ACT or Accuplacer scores. 
  • Have an updated Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP) with your HS counselor. 
  • Apply for the College Opportunity Fund (COF). 
  • Apply to and be accepted into the Colorado postsecondary institution where you plan to take college classes.

It might not be a fit for you, if:

  • Students that want to attend college out of state their freshman year. 
  • Students that want to play inter-collegiate sports (NCAA) their freshman year. 
  • Students that will require federal financial aid (federal student loans, federal grants) to cover expenses not covered by ASCENT.

Questions, or are you ready to enroll?

Talk to your school counselor, or email
careerandcollegeready@adams12.org


Participating Colleges:

  • Metro State University Denver
  • Adams State University
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • Any Colorado Community College System school  

Student Checklist


For more information, visit the Colorado Department of Education.

Frequently Asked Questions