Concurrent Enrollment

Concurrent Enrollment means the simultaneous enrollment of a qualified student in an VCS high school and in one or more postsecondary courses at an institution of higher education with which VCS has entered into a partnership through a cooperative agreement (see our Postsecondary Partners). Concurrent enrollment allows a student to earn high school credit and college credit simultaneously at no tuition cost to the student or the student’s parents/guardians. Students benefit from a lower cost of college credit, expanded academic options, easier access to college coursework, and preparation for a seamless transition into college after high school graduation.

Colorado Department of Education: Concurrent Enrollment

A “postsecondary course” means a course offered by an institution of higher education and includes coursework resulting in the acquisition of a certificate, an associate degree, and/or a baccalaureate degree.

An “institution of higher education” means:

• A state university or college, community college, junior college, or area vocational school
• A postsecondary career and technical education program that offers postsecondary courses and is approved by the state board for community colleges and occupational education
• An educational institution operating in Colorado that meets state law criteria

Colorado law defines a qualified student as a person who is less than 21 years of age and who is enrolled in grades 9-12.

VCS Board Policy defines an eligible student as a student who is less than 21 years of age, in grades 9-12, with a 3.0 GPA or higher (2.0 GPA for Career and Technical Education courses) and with fewer than nine absences (does not include extracurricular school activity absences) in the semester prior to enrolling in concurrent enrollment.

Qualified, eligible students have two options to access concurrent enrollment courses:

1. Students may enroll in college-level courses offered on VCS high school campuses, taught by VCS teachers, during the regular school day. Find classes offered at your school in the link below and talk to your high school counselor.
2. Students may enroll in college-level courses offered on an approved college campus (including online courses) with prior approval. Students in grades 9-12 must meet the necessary course requirements and the following conditions must be met:

• The course exceeds what is offered on VCS campuses
• The course must apply toward a postsecondary academic degree and/or certificate and will transfer to other public institutions of higher education in Colorado
• The course is included in the student’s graduation plan (ICAP)
• The course is offered through one of VCS’s Postsecondary Partners (listed below)

*Some Concurrent Enrollment courses may be cancelled if there is low student enrollment. The threshold to run a concurrent enrollment course is determined by the Postsecondary Partner.

To be considered qualified and eligible for concurrent enrollment, students must:

• Complete the MCSD Concurrent Enrollment Application, signed by student and parents/guardians
• Complete the Institution of Higher Education (Postsecondary Partner) application/registration form(s)
• Apply for and authorize the College Opportunity Fund (if applicable)
• Have a qualifying PSAT/SAT score or complete any placement tests as required by the postsecondary institution
• Student must meet prerequisites for the course, as defined by the Postsecondary Partner
• Have a current ICAP (Individual Career and Academic Plan) including concurrent enrollment coursework
• Student must maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher for general education concurrent enrollment courses, or a 2.0 GPA for Career and Technical Education concurrent enrollment courses
• Must not have failed a concurrent enrollment course in the prior semester
• Student must have fewer than nine absences (fewer than four absences at Peak Virtual Academy), which does not include extracurricular school activity absences in the prior semester
• Take a course offered through one of MCSD’s Postsecondary Partners in Colorado

*MCSD does not offer any concurrent enrollment summer courses

• CMU Tech
• Colorado Mesa University (CMU)
• Western Colorado University (WCU)
• Technical College of the Rockies (TCR)
• University of Colorado – Colorado Springs (UCCS)
• University of Colorado – Denver (CU Succeeds)

VCS pays the total tuition cost of concurrent and dual enrollment courses for qualified, eligible students, provided the student passes the concurrent enrollment course with C- or higher and has met the above requirements.

VCS does NOT pay any associated course fees or required textbooks for concurrent enrollment courses, nor does VCS provide transportation to college campuses.