Inside USBE > Departments and Programs > Teaching and Learning > Academic Areas and Supporting Programs > Early College
The Early College program encompasses Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Concurrent Enrollment (CE) programs. Early college high schools leverage their proximity to their University partner to provide students with consistent college experience and credit.
AP offers high school students worldwide the opportunity to take college-level courses while attending secondary school. AP courses are invariably more rigorous than other high school offerings. To participate in an AP class is to enter a world of intense discussion and thought. Students are given the intellectual responsibility to think critically, rationally and analytically to gain a more profound understand of course content. Such intellectual training inevitably helps students succeed in college where these skills are essential. In fact, a recent United States Department of Education study shows that participation in AP and other challenging high school courses is one of the strongest predictors of college success.
R277-701: Early College Programs
Utah State Board of Education Administrative Rules
AP Cohort Data Report Graduating Class of 2022
Advanced Placement (AP) Programs (Parents)
Advanced Placement (AP) Programs (Students)
AP Central: Supporting Students from Day One to Exam Day
A not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 4,500 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations. Each year, The College Board serves over three million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,500 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best-known programs are the SAT, the PSAT/NMSQT, and the Advanced Placement (AP) Program. The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities, and concerns.
AP Annual Conference: Announcement
AP Students: AP Courses and Exams
Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Accommodations on College Board Exams
AP Central: Supporting Students from Day One to Exam Day
The official online home for anyone interested in or involved with the Pre-AP or AP programs. General information about the AP program is also available from this website. You will need to register to access the most up-to-date and comprehensive information on AP courses and exams, as well as unique resources and tools.
AP Central: AP Course and Exam Pages
There is a lot more to an AP exam than meets the eye. In this section we provide a glimpse behind the scenes of the two-year development process of one of the largest exam administrations in the world.
AP Central: Exam Dates and Fees
The AP coordinator notifies AP students of where and exactly when the exams they are taking will be given. Exam proctors should allow about an hour for various pre- and post-administration activities and from two to three hours for each AP exam.
The purpose of Concurrent Enrollment is to provide a challenging college-level experience for students in their last two years of high school. Course offerings in Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Language Arts, Fine Arts, Humanities, World Languages, Career and Technical programs, and Education have been implemented in high schools throughout the state. Last year, more than 27,000 high school juniors and seniors in our state earned over 188,000 college level credit hours.
To register for concurrent enrollment courses, students must meet with a high school counselor. Registration for concurrent enrollment is a two-part process. First, students need parental permission to register for a CE course. That documentation must be provided to their high school. Secondly, students will be required to complete an application for the institution of higher learning that is offering the course. There may be a one-time application fee charged by the institution. This fee will not have to be paid a second time should a student choose to attend this institution as a higher education student after graduation.
Students who need additional assistance with the CE application process should speak to their high school counselor or CE course instructor.
Right of First Refusal Agreement for Face-to-Face Concurrent Enrollment Courses for Academic Year 2020-2021
Utah System of Higher Education (USHE)
Utah Concurrent Enrollment 2022-2023 Handbook
Concurrent Enrollment Master List
StepUp to Higher Education
Career and College Building Blocks
Career Pathways
Utah State Board of Education Career and Technical Education (CTE)
Concurrent Enrollment General Education Pathway Academic Year 2017-2018
Concurrent Enrollment Geographic Service Areas
Concurrent Enrollment Question and Answers for Counselors
Transfer Credit: Common Questions
Utah Systems of Higher Education Geographic Service Areas/Undergraduate Credit
R277-701: Early College Programs
Utah State Board of Education Administrative Rules
USBE CE Form Training
Please refer to page 23 of the Utah Concurrent Enrollment 2020-2021 Handbook for a description of the process for creating a new CE course.
The International Baccalaureate consists of four programmes that encompass ages 3-19:
All four programmes require study in a broad range of subjects including content in cultural education. Special emphasis in language acquisition and language development, the development in the skills of learning, opportunities for individual and collaborative planning as well as a community service component requiring action and reflection, complement the course of study in the IB programmes.
If you have questions, please contact Christy Schreck at (801) 538-7935 or via e-mail at christy.schreck@schools.utah.gov.
Primary Years Programme | Middle Years Programme | Diploma Programme | Career-related Programme
International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)
Early College High School provide rigorous, supportive learning environments that blend high school and the first two years of college. They incorporate effective instruction and structural practices common to many small schools. The unique mission of the ECHS is to raise the high school graduation and postsecondary success rates of underserved youth.
Utah has six ECHS operating in partnership with seven of the state's higher education colleges and universities. These public charter high schools combine traditional high school classes, Concurrent Enrollment classes, and Early College on-campus classes to accelerate their student's progress. A large percentage of ECHS students graduate from high school with an associates degree. The high school pays the participating student's college tuition as part of their public education.
Students are selected by a lottery system. Students enter the schools in grades 9, 10, or 11, depending on the school. Students must meet the requirements for Concurrent Enrollment and Early College classes established by the colleges and universities. To be successful in ECHS, students must be focused, willing to devote their time to academic pursuits, and have a strong work ethic.
The program allows ECHS students to move into the college experience gradually over two or three years. Throughout their school experience, there are academic and social supports available that help students succeed. The small size of ECHS and the opportunity for students to participate in a collaborative learning environment becomes a powerful motivator for students. If you are interested in an ECHS experience, contact any one of the ECHS.
Academy for Math, Engineering and Science (AMES)
Itineris Early College High School
Northern Utah Academy for Math, Engineering and Science (NUAMES)
The goal of the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) is for all students to graduate from high school ready for college, careers and life, to pursue the future of their choosing. Ninety-five percent of new jobs created since the Great Recession require a college education, yet only half of Utah’s population has a college degree or high-quality certificate. Most students will need to earn a postsecondary credential...to achieve a family-sustaining wage in today’s economy.
These infographics are designed for students and parents to create awareness of college and career options throughout the state of Utah. Be sure to talk with teachers and school counselors about these options.
College and Career Pathways: During High School
مسارات الكليات والحياة المهنية: أثناء الثانوية (Arabic)
Dhabada Kuuliyada iyo Mihnada: Dugsiga Sare Inta Lagu Jiro (Somalia)
Lộ Trình Học Đại Học và Đi Làm: Trong Giai Đoạn Trung Học Phổ Thông (Vietnamese)
Rotas de Carreira e rumo à Faculdade: Durante o Ensino Médio (Portuguese)
Trayectorias universitarias y profesionales: Durante high school (Spanish)
College and Career Pathways: After High School
ما بعد الثانوية مسارات الكليات والحياة المهنية (Arabic)
Dhabada Kuuliyada iyo Mihnada: Dugsiga Sare Kadib (Somalia)
Lộ Trình Học Đại Học và Đi Làm: Sau Trung Học Phổ Thông (Vietnamese)
Rotas de Carreira e rumo à Faculdade: Após o Ensino Médio (Portuguese)
Trayectorias universitarias y profesionales: Después de high school (Spanish)
Career and Technical Education (CTE)
USBE
Utah Programs and Major Guide
Utah System of Higher Education (USHE)
Welcome to the Utah PRIME Program, opening doors for Utah high school students and supporting the transition to higher education opportunities. The PRIME grant program offers support to Local Education Agencies (LEAs) with limited Concurrent Enrollment and/or Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes.
An LEA can be awarded grant funding to increase availability and promote advanced coursework for all students. Funding would be used to establish CTE pathways, Concurrent Enrollment offerings, and recruit students into the programs (both in person and for distance learning programs).
Each spring, USBE sends out emails to the Early College Coordinators, CTE Coordinators, and Curriculum Directors regarding the new year of PRIME grant funding. PRIME applications are due in the spring of each year.
There are 2 levels of certificate in the Utah PRIME, the Launch and Transform levels. The Launch and Transform levels offer students options in Concurrent Enrollment and CTE courses. Students who earn the TRANSFORM certificate are eligible for a $500 Utah Systems of Higher Education (USHE) scholarship. For more details, see the PRIME Scholarship Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) link below.
For more information contact: Christy.Schreck@schools.utah.gov or Jonathan.Frey@schools.utah.gov