Westminster report highlights growth in concurrent enrollment, CTE and plans for 'smart labs'
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Summary
District staff reviewed postsecondary workforce-readiness work including expanded future-center services in K–12, an 80% rise in concurrent enrollment since 2022, growth in industry credentials and pilots to introduce "smart labs" in elementary/middle schools.
Dr. Ryan McCoy, Westminster Public Schools' postsecondary and workforce readiness director, presented the district's PWR report on May 27, outlining expanded K–12 future-center work, rising concurrent enrollment and planned pilots to broaden exposure to career pathways.
McCoy said the district now places counseling and future-planning supports starting in fifth grade: "starting in fifth grade, we have 93 percent of our students who have started their future planning." He described three policy priorities—postsecondary credit attainment, industry-recognized credentials and quality work-based learning—that align with state proposals referenced during the presentation.
The board heard district data McCoy said show accelerated growth in college-credit access: concurrent enrollment participation has grown roughly 80% since 2022, more than 1,100 students have enrolled in concurrent courses since 2022, and the district estimates families saved about $845,000 because of concurrent enrollment. McCoy also reported an 85% success (course-completion) rate for students taking concurrent courses through Front Range Community College and Metro State University.
Career and technical education (CTE) numbers were highlighted: McCoy said students in CTE pathways had a 97% on-time graduation rate and that more than 70% of students participate in at least one CTE pathway. He told the board that the district had 423 students who had earned industry certificates through 30 credential offerings.
McCoy described current and near-term expansions: piloting "smart labs" in four K–8 schools next year to expose younger students to pathway-aligned work; launching advanced manufacturing in fall 2025 with Front Range Community College; adding medical assistant and CNA pathways at the Random Innovation Campus; and beginning a behavioral health sciences CTE pathway at Hidden Lake Secondary School. He said the intent is to expand the Hidden Lake pathway to Westminster High School in a following year.
Board members asked implementation questions about where the Hidden Lake behavioral health program would be offered and how broadly the smart-lab pilots would be rolled out; McCoy answered that Hidden Lake will host the initial program and the district will deliberate carefully before districtwide rollout of smart labs.
McCoy cited pending state legislation by its meeting reference, saying it aligned with district priorities: "we are focused on the big 3 within WPS." He also noted work to increase FAFSA completion and cited the Fund My Future grant as a tool to raise family completion rates; he reported that Westminster High School had a 42% FAFSA completion rate at the time of the report.
No formal board action was required for the report; the presentation was informational and board members thanked staff for the planning work.