District 49 and James Irwin Charter Schools have partnered to offer Power Technical Early College, set to open in the fall of 2016. PTEC is a first of its kind school, and one of only two schools like it in the state. The other school is located in the St. Vrain School District in northern Colorado and will also open in the fall.

 

The Colorado Department of Higher Education and Colorado Department of Education approved the two new Pathways in Technology Early College schools. P-TECH schools are innovative, public six-year high schools where students can earn an associate degree in applied science, while simultaneously earning a high school diploma.

 

These schools are a partnership between school districts, community colleges and employers and offer an education in a high growth STEM field. The curriculum is aligned to skills that employers need. Students are paired with mentors from the business community and gain practical workplace experience through skills-based internships. Graduates will then be positioned to be first in line for job opportunities with the industry partners. 

 

James Irwin Charter School's PTEC will serve students in grades 6-14 and is currently enrolling students in grades 6-9 for the 2016-2017 school year. The school will add a new grade each year. Students beginning the school as ninth-graders in 2016 will move through the school as the first tenth and eleventh grade classes, etc.

 

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper signed legislation into law in May 2015 to bring P-TECH schools to the state. "P-TECH schools are an example of what the state can accomplish when it pools its resources together and forms partnerships between the business and education community,” said Governor Hickenlooper. “In fewer than five years, more than 70 percent of jobs in Colorado will require some form of education beyond high school. P-TECH schools will give students the skills they need to participate in the changing workforce."

 

“James Irwin Charter Schools’ Power Technical Early College is so grateful that the Pathways program allows us to offer our students a free associate’s degree in a skilled trade," said Jonathan Berg, CEO of James Irwin Charter Schools, "We look forward to working with our great partners  – El Paso County School District 49, Pikes Peak Community College, the Housing and Building Association, Bal Seal Engineering and the other manufacturers and contractors who have and will step forward to meet the needs of our students and the community in the coming years.”

 

The PTEC campus is located in a 42,000 sq. ft. facility that will house four labs, including woodworking, machining, mechanical and welding learning spaces when it opens. The school was recently featured during an interview on KRDO NewsChannel 13.