Colorado College

Pre-College Summer Programs
Colorado Springs, Colorado


		Program Description Program Overview Visit Web Site Get Free Info See Photos

For More Information, Contact:
Kendra Henry, Director of Summer High School Programs
Colorado College
14 East Cache La Poudre Street
Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903
719-389-6935
http://www.coloradocollege.edu/SummerPrograms
/SummerSession/HSstudents.asp

Type of Program: Academic enrichment
Participants: Young men and women entering their junior or senior year of high school
Enrollment: 120
Program Dates: Early June through early August
Head of Program: Kendra Henry, Director of Summer High School Programs

Location

Colorado College is located on a 94-acre campus in downtown Colorado Springs near the base of the 14,110-foot Pikes Peak and about an hour from Denver.

Background and Philosophy

A private, four-year liberal arts and sciences college, Colorado College is consistently ranked in the top tier in U.S. News & World Report for academic excellence. Best known for its innovative Block Plan, where students take only one course at a time, Colorado College offers a new perspective on core classes and standard curriculum. Small and supportive learning communities give students the time to participate fully—without distractions. At Colorado College, the goal is to provide the finest liberal arts education in the country. Drawing upon the adventurous spirit of the Rocky Mountain West, the College challenges students, one course at a time, to develop those habits of intellect and imagination that will prepare them for learning and leadership throughout their lives.

Program Offerings

Colorado College hosts a number of special precollege programs throughout the summer, including the Summer Session High School Program, the College Ahead! Summer Enrichment Program, and the Southwest High School Scholars Program.
Summer Session High School Program A wide range of college-credit courses are open to high school students who are prepared for college-level work. Students must submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor, a high school transcript, and a completed application. A limited amount of financial aid is available to high school students. Students are not required to live on campus but may do so in a residence hall specifically for high school students who are at least 16 years old. Students take courses in the College’s unique academic scheduling system called the Block Plan, which entails taking one class at a time for an intensive three-week period. College-preparatory programming, which includes special sessions on the college admissions process, college application essay writing, and career opportunities, is available at no extra cost. Students are offered excursions in the Colorado Springs vicinity and other extracurricular opportunities.
College Ahead! is a full-scholarship summer-enrichment program for rising high school juniors from the American Southwest (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas). The program is designed to help students prepare for higher education by providing a stimulating and supportive introduction to collegiate academic and social life. This two-week program encourages students to explore options after high school, particularly opportunities available at a small liberal arts college. Students choose between a social science and a natural science course. In addition, students learn how to better prepare for the college application process and beyond.
Southwest High School Scholars Program is a full-scholarship opportunity for a limited number of exceptionally talented and highly motivated rising high school seniors from the American Southwest (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas) to participate in the Summer Session High School Program described above. The program is designed to demonstrate the value of a liberal arts education and to help students prepare for college work. Students must live on campus and participate in the college-preparation programming.

Enrollment

Class sizes remain small in the summer, often with a range of 7 to 25 students in each course. Students are open-minded, motivated, and curious about college opportunities.

Daily Schedule

While class times vary by subject and instructor, most courses meet for about 3 hours each weekday, often from 9 a.m. to noon. Many of the science courses include afternoon laboratories, which typically run from 1 to 3 p.m., depending on the subject and the instructor. Many courses throughout the curriculum include field trips; course descriptions specify whether any extensive field study takes place away from the campus.

Extra Opportunities and Activities

Summer at Colorado College provides a tantalizing array of activities to accompany academic studies. Whether one wants to listen to wonderful music during the Summer Festival of the Arts, climb Pikes Peak, explore hip-hop or Brazilian dance, or just lie in the grass and think, the perfect complement to the summer academic program exists at Colorado College.

Facilities

High school students may live in on-campus housing during their participation in Summer Session. Students live in traditional residence hall facilities and eat meals on campus, as well. The College provides a single bed, a chest of drawers, a desk and a chair, a mirror, a mattress protector, a wastebasket, a wall or ceiling light, a live jack for telephone and Ethernet service, and, for a nominal fee, a small refrigerator in the rooms. Housing is available to upcoming high school juniors and seniors only. Students must be at least 16 years of age to live in the residence halls.

Staff

Colorado College employs 208 faculty members, 82 percent of whom are full-time.

Medical Care

Colorado College offers limited health services to all students enrolled in credit courses in the summer. Students may waive these services. Those students who do not waive these services must submit a student health record and Colorado Alternative Certificate of Immunization for College Students. These forms are available in PDF format on the Boettcher Health Center Web site.

Costs

The cost of tuition for study during the summer at Colorado College is exceptionally competitive—a summer course is approximately one-half the tuition charged during the regular year—and reflects the College’s commitment to support a broad range of educational needs. Tuition is the same for Colorado residents and out-of-state students and covers instruction in all academic courses. In 2008, tuition is $606 per 1 semester hour of credit. Tuition is billed in May, and final payment is due at the time of registration, unless other arrangements have been made with the business office. In addition, some courses require supplementary program fees, which cover additional costs such as travel, food, lodging, and other expenses. These extra program costs are listed with the course description. Program fees are charged and due at the same time as tuition for the course. The cost for room and board is $1044 for a single room for three weeks.

Financial Aid

A limited amount of merit-based financial aid is available for qualifying high school students in the Summer Session courses. The College Ahead! and Southwest High School Scholars Programs are full-scholarship programs. More information is available by contacting the office of the Director of Summer High School Programs.

Transportation

From the Colorado Springs airport, there are taxis that bring students directly to Colorado College’s Loomis Hall. In addition, the TNM&O bus service comes into the downtown bus terminal, which is about 1 mile from the campus. Students can then take a taxi to the College. For additional information, students may contact the office of the Director of Summer High School Programs or visit the Web site.

Application Timetable

To sign up for a Summer Session class, high school students must send a completed application form, the $50 application fee, a letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor, and a current high school transcript. The Director of Summer High School Programs makes the admission decision. Applicants for the College Ahead! and Southwest High School Scholars programs must be from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, or Texas. The College Ahead! application deadline is April 18 and the Southwest High School Scholars application is due April 4, but students should apply early.