About

Who: The Class of 2026 in particular, but students in the Classes of 2025 and 2024 are also candidates. All students from those classes are eligible with a particular focus on enrolling students that are sometimes overlooked and often underrepresented. These include students from socioeconomically and racially diverse backgrounds, those who would be the first in their families to go to college, English language learners, and students with disabilities (22-35.3-103 2c).

What: P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College HS) is a public-private partnership between Eagle County Schools, Colorado Mountain College, and different community employers. P-TECH is designed to prepare students for high-skill jobs in a growing STEM field of employment. Students are given the opportunity to graduate high school, earn an associate's degree - an Associate of Science or an Associate of Arts in Environmental Studies -, and gain valuable skills and work-based learning experiences in a growing STEM field. Students enroll in an early-start elective class at one of the two ECS P-TECH schools.

When: The second cohort of P-TECH starts in the 2021-2022 school year. Students can complete their P-TECH requirements in a 5th and 6th year of high school, if necessary.

Where: Battle Mountain HS P-TECH or Eagle Valley HS P-TECH are the designated P-TECH schools. Colorado Mountain College (CMC) is the P-TECH college partner.

Why: There are a number of reasons a student may choose this opportunity including saving a lot of money on higher education, getting a head start in an area of an Environmental Solutions career pathway (our chosen high-growth STEM field), and/or the desire to get real-world experience and build 21st Century skills in a workplace while staying close to home.