RaptorTECH, A Cybersecurity P-TECH Program

• Link Seagate
• LInk CISCO
• GE Vernova
• HPE – Hewlett Packard Enterprise
• Link Comcast
• link AIMS Community College

What is RaptorTECH?

RaptorTECH is a P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) program that allows St. Vrain Valley students to earn a high school diploma and a tuition-free Associate of General Studies (AGS) Cybersecurity Specialist degree from Aims Community College. Students also gain real-world workplace experience through paid internships and mentorships with top industry partners like Cisco, Comcast, GE Vernova, HPE, and Seagate Technologies.

How does RaptorTECH work?

Active recruitment begins in 8th grade for enrollment starting at the beginning of 9th grade. Admitted students jumpstart their higher education as early as the second semester of freshman year through concurrent enrollment, earning high school and college credits simultaneously. This dual-credit structure allows students to progress through high school requirements while seamlessly building toward their tuition-free Associate Degree in Cybersecurity.

What AAS degree will be offered?

RaptorTECH offers an Associate of General Science (AGS) Cybersecurity Specialist degree.  Along with college courses, students receive mentorship and internships through the Industry Partners to provide real-world experiences to supplement their academic coursework.

Is it possible to graduate in 4 years?

A typical PTECH program, such as RaptorTECH, is traditionally a 5 year program. The students can accelerate and earn the degree in 4 years or extend the degree into 5 years. This allows students additional flexibility in the timing of their degree pathways.  Students who are focused on finishing both degrees quickly will have the ability to finish within the four-year time frame (please note, this may require students to complete courses over the summer).  Students who are engaged in multiple elective courses or extracurricular activities, or students who need additional time to grasp difficult concepts, have more time to complete their degrees. However, ALL students will earn their high school diploma in 4 years. If college courses are taken after earning the high school diploma, those classes are taken on the AIMS Community College campus.

Who will teach RaptorTECH classes?

A combination of St. Vrain Valley Schools teachers and AIMS Community College faculty will teach RaptorTECH classes.  All courses will be taught at Silver Creek High School for the majority of classes.

What are the acceptance criteria?

There are no formal acceptance criteria.  All applicants will be considered.  Applicants are required to fill out the online application and submit two letters of reference from adults: one teacher and one non-family member adult – who can speak to the applicant’s ability to work and learn as team and to build relationships with peers, mentor, and community.  We will accept up to 34 students for the 2027-28 school year.  If we receive more than 34 applications, we will accept students by weighted lottery based on PTECH emphasis.

Are the AIMS courses taught at Silver Creek or at AIMS?  If at AIMS, how will students get there?

We have structured the program so that courses will be taught at Silver Creek. RaptorTECH has dedicated staff who teach majority of courses. If there is an AIMS class, most times it will be on-line. taught by AIMS. If a need arises to travel to AIMS, we will bus students between Silver Creek and AIMS.

Do students take time away from the regular high school curriculum?  Does it take longer because students are taking more classes?

Students will take more classes and that is why the program allows student to extend the degree up to 5 years to complete; however, we front load the high school classes so that a student will finish his/her high school graduation requirements (24.5 credits) in the standard four years.  The 5th year is designed to enable students to finish the remaining courses needed to complete the associates degree (60 credits). Again, any college courses taken in the 5th year is taken on the AIMS Community College or on-line with AIMS.

Do the high school diploma and the AGS come at the same time, at the end of the 4-6 year period?

Yes. We will confer both degrees simultaneously after either 4 or 5 years, depending on the individual student.

Is it true that all of a student’s high school classes have to be honors or AP level?

No.  We will customize courses to the level of each student; however, we will encourage students to take honors or AP courses, when appropriate, in order to allow them to get “dual credit” (high school and college) for the courses.

How much time will students have for unrelated electives in this program, like art or music?

Students will be encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities and elective classes.  The 5th year gives a great deal of flexibility in this regard.  If a student wants to participate in more activities, s/he may take courses during the summer or it may take longer to finish the AGS degree.

Is a certain GPA required to stay in the program?

We have no firm requirements for staying in the program (no GPA threshold, etc.).  Our goal, truly, is to work with students every step of the way.  That said, we reserve the right to set appropriate academic and disciplinary boundaries.  We will gauge this on a case-by-case basis.

What kind of counseling support do the kids get?

We have a dedicated counselor for RaptorTECH.  The counselor helps students navigate high school and college scheduling requirements.  The counselor will also help with communicating with parents and recruiting students.

This sounds pretty demanding.  What happens if it doesn’t work out, and a student drops out of the program – is his/her high school diploma still delayed?  Will s/he have fallen behind in regular courses?

If a student chooses to stop participating in RaptorTECH, s/he will be treated like the other “regular students” – no stigma, no penalty.  So long as s/he has not failed any high school courses, s/he should remain on track for graduation after the 12th grade.

Are credits transferable to 4-year institutions?

The college credits will be granted through AIMS- even for the AP courses.  Just like any other student at AIMS, many, but not all, AIMS credits will be transferable to four-year colleges, and the number of transfer credits applied will depend upon the college major selected by the student. If continuing at MSU Denver cybersecurity program, an additional 2 years will provide students with a bachelor’s degree.

Are any industry certifications offered through RaptorTECH?

Yes.  Industry certifications will be embedded throughout the curricular scope and sequence of RaptorTECH.  So far, the following certifications are being considered for the program: A+, Networking +, Cloud +, Security +, and MOS.