Did you know that Pikes Peak State College offers many opportunities for students while they are still in high school? They offer classes such as Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), American Sign Language (ASL), nursing, and more. These specialty classes can steer students toward careers and can provide many great opportunities in the short and long-term future.
Pikes Peak offers two branches of classes to high school students, one being Career Start, which is very competitive. Only 60 students (from D11) are allowed to participate each year. Career start includes classes like EMT, Fire Science, and Welding. The other branch of classes is general education requirements, which have no competition to get in. The general education classes include college-level science, English, or math. These classes are for people who want to further their education at a college level. All the classes taken at Pikes Peak will earn students college credits.
The EMT class that Pikes Peak offers has some really great benefits for a future in the medical field. The course will involve many real-world scenarios and many different labs that put students in the shoes of an EMT. Addison Klein, Class of 2026, says, “It’s a lot of learning and studying, but it’s very worth it.” This course gives students a great start into other medical-related courses and can be a great stepping stone into the medical field. When the course is over, students will have access to the national registry test, which can help them land a job as an EMT.
The ASL courses offered at Pikes Peak are great for students wanting to get into or continue learning ASL. The course will force students to learn quickly; the ASL teacher is deaf, so the course gives you full immersion very quickly. Priya Frank, Class of 2026, stated, “I had been born deaf and always wanted to learn ASL. It had always been a goal of mine. Coronado didn’t offer an ASL class, so I talked to Mr Crosby and he told me about the ASL class at Pikes Peak.”
There are very few requirements for the different classes available. Mr. Crosby, Coronado Guidance Counselor, stated, “The only requirement is that you are on track to graduate, and that you have the energy and motivation to succeed.” The only requirement for the EMT class is that students have to turn 18 while taking the class, seeing as they have to go on a few ambulance rides. The ASL course has no requirements for joining. Career start classes may have small prerequisites to be accepted, but general education classes have none.
The advanced levels of learning are not out of reach to students. Every student should at least think of applying if they are the slightest interested in attending. Pikes Peak State College allows students to reach for the stars.
