CCCS Internal More than 44,000 High School Students Participated Last Year
March 4, 2024 (DENVER) – Governor Jared Polis has declared March 3 through 9 as the fourth annual Concurrent Enrollment Week in Colorado as program participation reaches an all-time high.
Over 44,400 CCCS students participated in Concurrent Enrollment in academic year 2022-23, representing an 18.5% increase from the previous year. Collectively, CCCS colleges awarded nearly 3,500 associate degrees and certificates and saved families more than $57 million in total tuition costs, according to a new report.
“We are proud to be Colorado’s largest provider of Concurrent Enrollment courses and thrilled to see its continued growth across the state,” said Joe Garcia, chancellor of Colorado Community College System (CCCS). “These programs give students the knowledge, skills, and confidence to reach their college and career goals while saving their families hundreds if not thousands of dollars along the way.”
Created by the Colorado state legislature in 2009, Concurrent Enrollment allows high school students to take tuition-free, college-level courses that count toward their high school diploma and an associate degree or certificate. About 16% of all Colorado public high school students take at least one Concurrent Enrollment course, the most popular of which are English composition and college algebra.
“Concurrent Enrollment is one of the most powerful tools we have to boost college-going rates,” said Marty Goldberg, CCCS director of Concurrent Enrollment. “Not only do these programs improve retention and reduce time to degree—they also help students earn higher wages than their peers over time. We want more students to benefit from these opportunities and are working hard to improve access throughout Colorado.”
Upon graduation, 91% of students who participated in Concurrent Enrollment continued their education or joined the workforce. About two-thirds enrolled in a CCCS college or four-year university.
“The biggest benefit of taking Concurrent Enrollment classes has been the experience I’ve gained and the study skills and perseverance that I’ve learned,” said Kate Lockwood, who took Concurrent Enrollment courses at Colorado Northwestern Community College. “It’s been a great way to explore my future and the path that I want to follow.”
In celebration of Concurrent Enrollment Week, CCCS and Littleton Public Schools are hosting a statewide Concurrent Enrollment Conference on Friday, March 8 in Littleton. Attendees will discuss strategies to serve students with disabilities; new pathways in behavioral health and education; and ways to strengthen relationships among colleges and districts. CCCS invites members of the press to attend; please email CCCS.Communications@cccs.edu to RSVP.
To download promotional resources and learn more about Concurrent Enrollment, visit the CCCS website.
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About the Colorado Community College System
The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) is the state’s largest system of higher education, delivering more than 1,000 programs to over 115,000 students annually through 13 colleges and 35 locations across Colorado. Our open access mission ensures all Coloradans who aspire to enrich their lives have access to quality higher education opportunities. The System Office provides leadership, advocacy, and support to the colleges under the direction of the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education (SBCCOE). Join us in changing the way Colorado goes to college. Learn more at cccs.edu.
