Concurrent Enrollment
Concurrent Enrollment
Taking college courses in high school with free tuition!
- A Concurrent Enrollment student is defined as a 9th-12th grade student who is simultaneously enrolled in Eagle Ridge Academy and in an institution of higher learning, usually a local community college (Front Range Community College.
- The Concurrent Enrollment program is designed to “improve high school retention, to motivate young people to take seriously the need to become postsecondary and workforce ready, and to accelerate students' progress toward a postsecondary credential” (C.R.S. 22- 35-102).
- It is a Colorado state-funded educational program which allows qualified high school students to enroll in college-level courses while still in high school. If the requirements of the program are met, Eagle Ridge Academy will pay the tuition portion of that college education.
- Concurrent Enrollment involves application to a college, college-level coursework and expectations and college credit. Because of this, it is critical that students be personally invested in this process. In addition, both the student and parents/guardians must have a complete understanding of the college environment vs. a high school environment. It is highly recommended that families give their students the opportunity and responsibility for completing the paperwork and participation in the process, so they demonstrate and learn responsibility, gain maturity, and take ownership of their participation.
Benefits of taking AP courses:
- Earn College Credit While in High School: Take real college courses and receive both high school and college credit simultaneously.
- Tuition-Free or Low-Cost College Credit: Most CE programs are offered at little to no cost, saving families thousands in college tuition.
- Jumpstart College Progress: Complete general education requirements early, potentially earning an associate degree or certificate before high school graduation.
- Smooth Transition to College: Get experience with college expectations, pacing, and academic standards in a supported environment.
- Increased College Readiness: Build confidence and develop skills in time management, self-advocacy, and independent learning.
- Boost College Applications: Demonstrates academic initiative and the ability to handle college-level coursework.
- Exposure to Career Pathways: Some CE courses align with career and technical education (CTE) programs, helping students explore workforce opportunities early.
- Reduce Time to College Graduation: Students who participate in CE are more likely to complete college on time or early.
- Weighted GPA Boost: CE classes have a GPA weight boost (5.0 scale), which can raise class rank.
- Flexible Scheduling: Many CE courses offer hybrid, online, or on-campus options that help students manage their time more effectively.
Front Range Community College Concurrent Enrollment Options
Free College Tuition (Students must pay books and fees.)
- College classes offered on Eagle Ridge Academy campus (High School Select)
Students take college courses at their high school through FRCC. Courses are taught by Eagle Ridge teachers or college professors and are credit bearing at the community college level and transferable. Different courses are taught at high schools based on staff qualifications. For more information, new students to the program must attend a college meeting in October or March of each year. There are college fees and textbook costs with this program.
- College classes on the FRCC campus-- Westminster, or Boulder Campus/ Larimer Campus (Campus Select)
Students travel to FRCC and take courses on campus. Courses are credit bearing at the community college level and transferable. On-campus experience is gained. Fees, textbook costs and travel are the responsibility of the student.
- Career Pathways Program
Technical education classes taken in High School Select or College Select at FRCC. Program fees and books are paid by the student/family. - ASCENT Program (Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment)
Seniors remain in”high school” for a fifth year to take only college classes at FRCC. Students will not attend courses at Eagle Ridge Academy. Students must speak with their counselor ahead of time if they are interested. Fees, textbook costs and travel are the responsibility of the student.
- TREP Program The TREP program creates the opportunity for qualified students in an educator career pathway to concurrently enroll in postsecondary courses for up to two years after the 12th grade year at FRCC. Students will not attend courses at Eagle Ridge Academy
- Note: Students wishing to be enrolled in the ASCENT or TREP programs (5th year programs) will have the opportunity to declare their intentions in the second semester of the student’s senior year.
Criteria For Admission
Students wishing to enroll in the Eagle Ridge Academy Concurrent Enrollment (CE) program will be considered based on the following guidelines and expectations:
- Students must attend a mandatory Front Range Community College meeting with a parent/guardian.
- Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher and have passed all classes before applying to join a college class.
- Once admitted into college classes students must sustain a 3.0 or higher G.P.A. and not fail any classes. Failure of a college class may result in the student not participating in the concurrent enrollment program in the future. A grade of a D in a college class will result in an individual review that could exclude students from taking future college classes.
- To be eligible for participation, students must have any and all school fees up-to-date and paid. This includes outstanding balances at other District schools. (See Promissory Note)
- Specific college classes may substitute for core classes at Eagle Ridge Academy, while others will be counted toward elective credit.
- If you take a college course that is replacing one of your ERA core classes, you must pass with an A, B, or C. IF you receive a D or F in that class, you will have to take the high school course equivalent through Edgenuity in order to gain the necessary graduation credit.
- Students may only take 2 college classes each semester. Students will only be allowed to take a total of 9 classes per semester including college classes.
- In the event that classes have a waitlist, we will place students in classes based on seniority, and then by cumulative GPA.
- Students should complete all college classes that Front Range Community College offers at the ERA campus (29 credits) before applying to take any off-site or online courses. If we do not offer a class that is needed for your path, we can get it approved by administration for you to take it off-site.
- Students wishing to earn an Associate’s Degree will need to take summer classes in order to finish the college degree before high school graduation. ERA does not pay for summer college classes, but will accept the credit if the student brings an official transcript from Front Range Community College.
- Front Range Community College fees and books are the financial responsibility of the guardian/student in all cases.
- ERA reserves the right to revoke or deny participation in the concurrent enrollment program if any current or past disruptive behaviors or attendance issues are reported. Any financial penalties incurred are the financial responsibility of the student and family.
Financial Considerations
- Summer sessions, physical education courses and basic skills courses will not be included in Concurrent Enrollment.
- Students taking courses off campus (Campus Select) will be responsible for all fees associated with the course. ERA only pays tuition for approved courses.
- Eagle Ridge Academy High School agrees to pay tuition for Concurrent Enrollment students. Students/families are responsible for fees (including all lab fees), textbooks and any other miscellaneous fees/costs.
- As part of the college application process, students must complete a College Opportunity Fund (COF) application. Eagle Ridge Academy is not responsible for the COF portion of the tuition bill. Students failing to complete necessary steps for COF to process will be responsible for paying that portion of the bill.
The College Opportunity Fund (COF) provides a stipend to eligible undergraduate students. The stipend is paid on a per credit hour basis directly to the college at which the student is enrolled. The credit-hour amount is set annually by the Colorado General Assembly. ERA students must register for COF when they complete the college application process.
COF is limited to the first 145 credit hours the student takes at Colorado public colleges and includes the credit hours taken as a Concurrent Enrollment student.
Responsibilities of the student in the college class:
- Students will put the time and energy into studying for college courses to maintain an “A” or “B” in the course.
- Success in college courses will require students to do a significant amount of reading and writing.
- Student behavior in class will be at the level of a typical 4-year college student. The student will be respectful at all times, participate in class, listen and avoid disrupting the class, teacher or peers. The student will not be able to take additional college courses if they behave inappropriately.
- All students are responsible for buying their own textbooks The lists of books for each class are available at the FRCC Bookstore or online on the www.frontrange.edu site under Bookstore. Payment for books is the responsibility of the family.
- Students must be in attendance for their college classes. An appropriate amount of days missed is no more than 2-3 days per semester although this will depend on the instructor and the syllabus (if they want you to miss less).
- Students MUST communicate any absences to their instructor prior to class. If a student knows they are going to be absent, assignments will need to be turned in early or on the day they are due via email or through D2L.
- Students knowing that they are missing a test must make arrangements PRIOR to the absence to make up the exam.
- Students missing any coursework or exams on a day of absence must understand that they may receive a “0” for that assignment if not turned in or pre-arranged PRIOR to the day of absence.
- Students will not plagiarize any material. Plagiarism will result in consequences at the high school and college level.
Students will come prepared for class each day, having pre-read all material and with homework in hand.
Concurrent Enrollment classes at ERA give students an opportunity to experience college-level work while still in the high school setting and have the ability to earn both College Credit and HIgh School Credit at the same time. Students who desire to enroll in a Concurrent Enrollment course are highly encouraged to discuss this decision with their parents, counselor, and current teachers. Some courses will have prerequisites.
Students who earn satisfactory grades in Concurrent Enrollment courses will be granted college credit that are transferable to all Colorado Colleges and Universities. Students that pass Concurrent Enrollment Courses can also obtain Graduation Demonstrations in English, Math or both depending on the courses. Students may have the opportunity to apply for the Ascent Program as well. Some courses do require materials or book fees.
Eagle Ridge Academy Potential Offerings of Concurrent Enrollment Courses:
AIMS Community College Concurrent Enrollment Options
Career Academy
Career Academy is a free program that allows high school students to take college courses at AIMS and earn certificates. The program is a type of concurrent enrollment, where the school district pays for tuition, fees, and course materials. The student will go to the Fort Lupton Campus for half of their school day to take these courses. Spots are NOT guaranteed. Students apply, and AIMS awards spots based on space. See available programs below:
Welding Program
Med Prep Program
AIMS Concurrent Enrollment
Students are able to take other AIMS courses online or at the Fort Lupton Campus. See your counselor for more information regarding applying, registering, and courses currently being offered.
Degree/Program List - Click HERE
For more information about Concurrent Enrollment Courses offered at Eagle Ridge Academy, check out our Course Description Guide.