Spartan CTE students can earn college credits for some of their classes while in high school.
Photo by Mateo Rocha
Thomas Jefferson Students can now receive college credits from Arapahoe Community College if they are enrolled in and passing any of the six Concurrent Enrollment CTE classes offered at TJ.
TJ’s Computer Magnet and Business Departments have one of the highest number of Career Technology Education (CTE) courses offered among DPS high schools, so it is no wonder that Arapahoe Community College was impressed with the high quality of the curriculum. The college took a look at the syllabi for the courses offered by the TJ Computer and Business Departments and determined that they coordinated with at least six of the courses that ACC offers. Courses offered at TJ include: Photo Journalism 2 with Jeff Coleman, Web Design 1&2 and 3&4 with Jerry Esparza, Marketing with Matt Nicolo, Software Engineering with Stacey Fornstrom, and Intro to Computer Magnet with Eileen Adair and Grant Laman.
This opportunity will begin this semester for interested Spartans who are already members of the Computer Magnet or the Business Department. These students also have to take the Acuplacer test, which is a college entrance exam. TJ students who wish to pursue careers in a wide variety of pathways can take advantage of this opportunity by taking one of the many computer magnet classes, receive three credits per class, and have DPS pay for the tuition.
“I’m really excited about this partnership with Arapahoe Community College because our students in the Magnet are so advanced that they deserve the recognition and college credit for the hard work they do,” said CCT Director Matt Spampinato. “It’s cool, because our students are actually now enrolled at ACC and are receiving these credits free of charge. Even if they choose not to attend ACC, many of the credits may be transferable to other colleges and universities.”
Spampinato isn’t the only teacher excited about this new prospect for TJ CTE students. “I think it’s new, therefore there are a lot of questions, but at the same time it’s a tremendous opportunity for students that are taking these courses and are able to receive college credits,” said Grant Laman.
Spartans planning on a career in broadcasting, journalism, marketing, programing, web design,or many others in the communication field can learn more about this worthy opportunity from Spampinato or any of the CTE teachers.
