Greeley-Evans School District 6 highlights growth in CTE courses, internships and concurrent enrollment

GREELEY, Colo. — The Greeley-Evans School District 6 board received an update Aug. 25 on the district’s career and technical education (CTE) programs and work-based learning, including new enrollment figures, concurrent-enrollment activity and summer internship results.

“Before we begin, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to our community for the passage of the mill levy override, which has supported and advanced much of the career pathway work that we'll discuss this evening,” said Jenny Schelling, the district’s director of career and technical education.

The presentation outlined how CTE exposure begins in elementary “smart lab” activities, continues through middle-school discovery labs and expands in high school with 14 academies and 28 pathways across district high schools. Jordan Carlberg, the district’s career pathway specialist, said enrollment in those pathways has risen: “last year having approximately 58 percent of our high school students enrolled in at least 1 career and technical education course.”

District staff reported that the District 6 Career and Technical Education Center has increased enrollment each year since opening in the 2023–24 school year; programs at the center include welding, construction, electrical and cosmetology. Many center instructors hold both secondary and postsecondary endorsements, allowing students to earn college credits while in high school.

The board heard preliminary concurrent-enrollment numbers for the year: roughly 1,152 high-school students were enrolled in at least one college course — the highest enrollments reported in college algebra/trigonometry and English composition offered through the University of Northern Colorado and Aims Community College. Presenters said most of those college-credit courses are taught on district campuses by District 6 instructors endorsed by postsecondary partners.

Work-based learning and internships were a major focus. A district staff member who presented the internship summary said the summer 2025 program provided 179 paid internships with 45 employers across Northern Colorado. “We had 179 paid internships for the summer 2025 and 45 employers in Northern Colorado,” the staff member said. The presenter also reported survey results showing high satisfaction: 100% of respondents said internships provided meaningful learning and felt better prepared for the workforce.

Board members asked about student safety and post-graduation tracking. Director Azari asked whether students placed with fire and rescue units participate in real operations; staff confirmed those interns ride the typical station schedule and work alongside crews. School staff and the superintendent said the district does not have a mechanism to track graduates’ long-term employment statewide after they leave the district, though the district tracks credentials earned while students remain enrolled.

Vice President Bentley and other board members praised employer partnerships and cited individual instances where employers reported strong intern performance. Presenters said the district is actively recruiting additional industry partners — a leads list of more than 50 contacts was mentioned — and is looking to expand pathways including media and audio production placements.

The presentation credited the mill levy override for helping expand pathway and work-based learning capacity. District leaders said they will continue to focus on recruiting and retaining CTE educators, expanding concurrent-enrollment partnerships, and growing internship placements.

Board members did not take formal action on the presentation; the item was provided for information and discussion.