This year, 55 high school graduates completed the P-TEACH program, collectively earning 441 college credits across 149 courses—representing more than $175,000 in potential tuition savings for students and families. More than 20 graduates are committed to pursuing postsecondary degrees in education. For the first time, students who completed at least five P-TEACH courses and 12 college credits will be recognized with graduation cords, with 14 students receiving this honor. Notably, four students earned more than 30 college credits before graduating high school.
Through built-in field experiences, P-TEACH students work alongside classroom teachers, gaining real-world insight into the teaching profession. These opportunities allow students to explore a range of focus areas, including elementary, early childhood, secondary, English Language Development (ELD), and special education, all while completing high school requirements and transferable college coursework.
New this year, expanded course offerings in partnership with CU Denver included general education classes such as Universal Design for Learning, as well as education technology electives like Digital Teaching and Learning. These additions broadened pathways for students interested in secondary education and high-demand subject areas.
In addition to P-TEACH, several schools offer the Instructional Student Assistant (ISA) program, designed for juniors and seniors interested in gaining direct classroom experience where they support student learning as peer tutors while completing a CU Denver field experience course for college credit. Originally launched at Silver Creek High School, the program has expanded to Longmont High School and is being adopted in additional schools across the district.
ISA students are paired with mentor teachers and spend time in classrooms each week, typically two to three days, assisting with small group instruction, one-on-one student support, and classroom activities. They can also choose to enroll in a semester-long asynchronous college course, attend monthly professional development sessions at Silver Creek High or twice-monthly lunch sessions at Longmont High, and complete a summary project focused on student engagement strategies. Upon completion, students earn an industry-recognized tutoring certification. The ISA program provides another meaningful avenue for students to build leadership skills and contribute positively to their school communities, while also offering a glimpse into teaching as a potential career path, especially in high-demand subject areas like math and science.
St. Vrain’s continued investment in educator development is equipping students with the tools, experiences, and confidence to thrive, while addressing statewide workforce needs and advancing innovation in education.
