Board approves two new high-school courses, including teacher-prep pathway

The Cheyenne Mountain School District No. 12 board voted to approve two new course proposals submitted by Cheyenne Mountain High School. Administrators described the proposals as a step to expand career and technical education (CTE) and give students hands-on pathways into teaching and industry employment.

The first course, described as a "foundations of education" or "Hawk teaching academy," is intended to function like a teacher-cadet/teacher-prep elective and to be offered in cooperation with the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS). Administrators said a UCCS professor could teach the class in its early phase while the district builds internal capacity; the course is intended to provide transcripted collegiate credit and an entry-level pathway into education careers.

The second proposal would create a repair/industry-certification course delivered in an online format the district can host so students need not travel. Administrators said the course would enable students to study core material in-district and then sit for an industry-recognized certification, which could help students obtain summer employment or entry-level jobs. The transcript cites a Front Range/PPCC fee estimate referenced initially at roughly $2,000 but noted administrators expected actual costs could be lower and still needed precise budgeting.

Board members asked questions about where the courses would appear on transcripts, whether they would count as CTE or general elective credit, what certificates (if any) students would receive, and how the classes would interact with existing CTE pathways. Administrators said some courses already count as both fine-arts and CTE credit (for example, graphic design, broadcast and stage tech), and that the district intended to preserve fine-arts opportunities while expanding CTE access.

A motion to approve the course proposals was made and the board approved the item by voice vote. Administrators said additional implementation details — including the final credit designation, department routing and accurate cost estimates — will be clarified before any classes run and can be revisited at a later board meeting if needed.