The moment is thrilling: high school seniors standing at the edge of the stage, their eyes set on the long-awaited moment when they’ll cross and receive their diplomas — a symbol of countless hours of perseverance, dedication, and growth. In the Spring of 2024, 44 Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) students crossed the stage, not to collect a high school diploma quite yet, but rather an Associates college degree. This unique journey — one that connects high school and higher education — marks not just the end of one chapter, but the beginning of a future brimming with possibility.
St. Vrain Valley Schools is proud to offer four P-TECH programs, each uniquely designed to set students on a path toward success in high-demand industries. At Skyline High School, FalconTECH has been a pacesetter since 2016, giving students hands-on experience in computer information systems— fields that power the digital world we rely on every day. In 2019, Frederick High School introduced EagleTECH, where students explore the cutting-edge possibilities of biochemistry, from groundbreaking medical research to environmental innovations.
By 2021, Silver Creek High School launched RaptorTECH, immersing students in the high-stakes, ever-evolving world of cybersecurity — an essential field in an increasingly digital age. Most recently, in 2023, Longmont High School debuted TrojanTECH, where students are gaining the skills to thrive in today’s dynamic and competitive business industries.Each program provides students the opportunity to build real-world skills, earn an associate degree through programs at either Front Range Community College or Aims Community College, and step confidently into their future. P-TECH bridges high school students towards college and the professional world, giving students the opportunity to earn an Associates Degree at no cost to them in addition to their high school diploma. With opportunities growing and learning styles evolving, P-TECH programs are creating a clear pathway for high school students to graduate with two years of college and a cutting edge advantage to the beginning of their next journey reshaping the future for high school students.
The History and Outcomes of P-TECH
St. Vrain Valley Schools embarked on an ambitious journey back in 2016 with the start of the P-TECH program at Skyline High School, the first program of its type in Colorado. Brandon Shaffer, Executive Director of P-TECH in the District, states “P-TECH directly targets the skills gap by aligning education with industry needs. P-TECH integrates real-world experiences from day one. Students work on industry-driven projects, gain exposure to workplace environments through mentorships and internships, and develop critical skills like problem-solving and collaboration, which are essential in today’s job market.”
RaptorTECH student Kaylee Crouthamel exemplifies this initiative. This past summer Kaylee completed an internship at Zivaro, an IT consulting firm, worked on projects involving the company’s Security Information and Event Manager (SIEM), Reflecting on her experience, Kaylee shared, “This internship gave me insight into the industry and allowed me to learn from professionals across different departments. It was a chance to understand how a company like Zivaro operates and how my role fits into the bigger picture.” Kaylee had a big emphasis on her professional skills that she has gained through this process, “I think the way I have developed my professional skills through this program has been invaluable to my future endeavors. I’ve made countless connections that I can reach out to about job opportunities or support, and I have a much better understanding overall of the field I want to pursue and the options that are available to me.” She is hoping to enter the field of Cybersecurity once she graduates with her Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity.
Throughout the Summer of 2024, 83 P-TECH students were hired as interns by dedicated industry partners and local companies. These internships consist of 136 hours of work, while also being enrolled in a 3 credit college course. Over 280 P-TECH students have collectively earned over $500,000 through internships.
Brandon Shaffer, states “P-TECH directly targets the skills gap by aligning education with industry needs. P-TECH integrates real-world experiences from day one. Students work on industry-driven projects, gain exposure to workplace environments through mentorships and internships, and develop critical skills like problem-solving and collaboration, which are essential in today’s job market.”
FalconTECH alumni Karis Green found that she was able to benefit the most from the time that she had spent at IBM. She stated “Being around other working professionals and seeing the amount of options available in the IT world, was infinitely valuable.” Karis still keeps in touch with her mentor from the P-TECH program to this day. She had emphasized that the P-TECH program really helped her with all her soft skills in the professional world, and that through the P-TECH program she was able to gain professional exposure early, making her transition into the workplace a much less abrupt one. Through the P-TECH job fair Karis was able to get a position as an ASE (Associate Solutions Engineer) in CSAP (Cisco Sales Associate Program). She later was able to work up to her current position as a Cisco Meraki Solutions Engineer. As these students’ stories demonstrate, the P-TECH program is transforming the lives of St. Vrain Valley students one student at a time.
Stan Litow, creator of the P-TECH program, described the program as affordable, widely supported, and highly effective. “It’s not extremely costly, it has strong backing from key stakeholders, and there is solid data showing its impact and cost-effectiveness,” says Litow. With about 400 industry partners worldwide, P-TECH offers students the chance to earn both a high school diploma and an associates degree through dual enrollment, allowing them to complete college-level courses while still in high school. Litow was passionate about these students gaining the opportunity to have structured workplace visits, mentors from an industry partner, paid internships and all of the above integrated.
| High School | Skyline High School | Frederick High School | Silver Creek High School | Longmont High School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Computer Science | BioScience | Cybersecurity | Business |
Degree | Associate of Applied Science -Computer Information Systems | Associate of General Studies – BioScience | Associate of Applied Science -Cybersecurity | Associate of Arts – Business |
| Community College Partner | Front Range Community College | Aims Community College | Front Range Community College | Front Range Community College |
| Industry Partners | IBM, ANM, CGI, District Technology Services | Agilent Technologies, KBI BioPharma, AGC Biologics, Corden Pharma, Umoja Biopharma | Seagate Technologies, Cisco, Comcast, Juniper Networks | City of Longmont, Longmont Chamber, Longmont Downtown Development Authority, Longmont Economic Development Partnership, Hispanic Chamber of Boulder County |
| Year Founded | 2016 | 2019 | 2021 | 2023 |
| Current Enrollment (24-25) | 173 | 123 | 93 | 55 |
| College Graduates | 139 | 24 | N/A* | N/A* |
| Internships | 230 | 36 | 22 | N/A* |
| High School Graduation Rate | 100% | 100% | N/A* | N/A* |
| Students that Continue to 4-year College | 56% | 67% | N/A* | N/A* |
Student Perspectives: Real World Learning
St. Vrain Valley Schools P-TECH programs are shaping the future for the next generation. Schools are now thriving with the access that students have to commit themselves to the road of achieving their associates degree coming out of high school.
“P-TECH has influenced my career goals because it is making me see the different paths I can take and how they will benefit my future,” said TrojanTECH student Abby Mares. Eager to shape her future in a business-centered career, Abby decided to join the newest P-TECH program in the district that is focused on business. “I have also seen how much being in P-TECH will give me an advantage whenever I try to get into colleges and future jobs.” Abby is very future goal oriented, with a clear ambition of becoming a marketing manager after graduation. “We have been seeing how companies market their products and for me that seems like a very cool and beneficial job to do,” said Abby. “I would like to study and work in something business and financial related, having the experience of being in P-TECH will be a great advantage.” By leveraging the opportunities provided by the P-TECH program in St. Vrain Valley Schools she is not only preparing herself for a career in the business world but also positioning herself for academic success.
All students have different experiences with the P-TECH program, but what this innovative program is sure to do is bridge the gap between education and industry. EagleTECH alumni Gabriel Zierlein shares his unique experience. Gabriel, who worked at Agilent Technologies as an intern, feels that the EagleTECH program helped him find the courage to take a deep dive into the real world, as he emphasized his personal and professional development through the P-TECH program that provides hands-on and in person learning. Gabriel is now a Manufacturing Chemist for Agilent, the same company he interned with.
| First Generation Students | 55% |
| Female P-TECH Students | 48% |
| Second-Language Learners | 41% |
| Ethnically Diverse | 54% |
| Total Number of Industry Certifications (A+, Network+, Security+, Cloud+) | 24 |
| Total number of college credits earned | 21,071 |
| Total number of Associate degrees earned | 163 |
| Total number of Certificates earned from Community College | 285 (Business Specialization: 149, Programming: 88, Web Developer: 48) |
The St. Vrain Valley Schools Model
St. Vrain Valley Schools are incredibly unique in the way they translate the P-TECH educational model into pathways of opportunities including internships, mentorships, and overall connections. Louise March, P-TECH Coordinator, stated “the goal is to take students and get them workplace ready.” The district has created a model that not only prepares students for college but sets them up with connections and pathways into the workforce. P-TECH fast-tracks this through direct industry involvement. By the time students graduate, they’ve built a robust portfolio of professional skills, certifications, and real-world experience, giving them a head start in their careers or higher education. It’s not just about earning a degree; it’s about creating opportunities that set students apart.”
St. Vrain Valley Schools P-TECH program has not only transformed the lives of students in the school district with various opportunities, but has reinforced a reputation as a leader in academic excellence by design.