Lake County High School and Cloud City High School collaborate with Colorado Mountain College to provide students with opportunities to earn college credit while still in high school and get their degrees faster while saving money. Career exploration opportunities empower students to level up and get ahead. 

• Freshmen embark on an additional summer term at the end of their first year to explore career options. 

• Both schools offer robust internship options to complement a student's career pathway.

• Students have the opportunity to test if a path is really for them through job-shadowing experience that allows them to gain firsthand insight into various options.

• Courses provide certificates that can be stackable, meaning each builds on the one before, adding to qualifications and unlocking high-paying jobs. 

• The National Center for Construction Education and Research offers a recognized industry certification in carpentry and heavy equipment for Lake County students. 

• Students can earn an Associates of Applied Sciences with concurrent enrollment and multi-occupational trades that can advance a variety of career paths.

• Cloud City High School students can take "Workforce Boot Camp" where they go off-campus once a month to tour various career industries, businesses, higher education options, or vocational/technical institutions.

Salida High School partners with Colorado Mountain College to provide concurrent enrollment and career exploration: 

• A carpentry business internship program allows students to take classes and apply what they learn to build actual houses. 

• Wildfire certificates provide a route to firefighting work across the country. 

• Culinary internships let aspiring chefs learn and apply restaurant skills. 

• Emergency medical services provide direct training to save lives. 

• Teacher Education program provides hands-on experience to fill in-demand jobs. 

High schools in Buena Vista provide opportunities for career exploration and concurrent enrollment, so students can take classes that provide college credit.  

• High school students who take the required business course qualify for local work-based internships. 

• Schools invite career-oriented speakers; seniors can complete three career shadow days, going on-site to explore jobs that interest them. 

• Students discover opportunities through seminar classes focused on success-building and career exploration. 

• Students can earn college credit from high school classes accredited through Western Colorado University on subjects like literature, math, and more. 

• Buena Vista High School students have access to a robust industrial arts facility, and 80% of students take at least one welding or wood shop course, opening up potential careers in those industries.