Ascent Program

Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment (ASCENT) is a fifth-year high school program that allows students to participate in concurrent enrollment the year after 12th grade, to enroll in postsecondary courses and earn college credit at no tuition cost to them or their families. Additional costs, such as textbooks, fees, and transportation, are not required by the district to cover, though some do. Students who wish to live on campus in a dorm are traditionally not allowed to, as high school students are ineligible to live on a college campus. However, some universities may provide a waiver to ASCENT students to access housing, but housing costs are not covered by the ASCENT program. 

Qualified students who have completed at least 9 credit hours of postsecondary coursework prior to completion of their 12th grade year may be eligible for the ASCENT Program. See more eligibility requirements.

Students & Parents: please check with your high school counselor for specific information regarding how your school district administers the ASCENT Program. 

A qualified student may be designated as a participant if he/she:

1. Has completed or is on schedule to complete at least twelve credit hours of postsecondary course work prior to the completion of his or her twelfth-grade year.

2. Is not in need of a basic skills course.

3. Has been selected for participation in the program by the PCHS Principal.

4. Has been accepted into a postsecondary degree program at an institution of higher education.

5. Has satisfied any other selection criteria established by the State Board of Education.

6. Has not been designated an Ascent Program participant in any prior year.

If interested, talk to your High School Counselor