IMPACTING THE PIKES PEAK REGION
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE
The need in our community is great, and we are committed to growing to meet it. Too many students navigate their educational and career paths without the guidance they need to succeed.
While 86% of public high schools nationwide require an education and career plan (ECP), far too few students receive the ongoing support necessary to make the most of it.
With only 44% of students receiving help from an adult to develop their ECP and just 22% reviewing it yearly with a mentor, the gap is clear. Peak Education is working to change this by expanding our reach, deepening our impact, and ensuring that every student has the guidance and resources to plan for a successful future.
Your support fuels this critical growth. Together, we can break barriers, provide life-changing opportunities, and empower the next generation to thrive.
OVERVIEW
GROWING NEEDS
100+
Scholars We Are Looking to Add in 2025
$1M+
Needed in Supporting Scholars
445
Current
Scholars
$2500
Cost Per Scholar Per School Year
CONTINUING SUCCESS
FUTURE PROJECTIONS
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE
INNOVATE
PIKES PEAK
As Peak Education finalized its strategic planning process, the organization engaged in conversations about balancing its mission of closing opportunity gaps in the community with new and innovative approaches in the college access and career readiness space.
Recognizing the rapid advancements in the Denver metro area toward the “Big Blur”—the idea that educators should better utilize high school to prepare students for the workforce, help them earn college credentials, and provide meaningful career-connected learning experiences—Peak Education took steps to bring similar initiatives to the Pikes Peak region.
In the spring of 2024, Peak Education convened over 60 key stakeholders from education, business, philanthropy, and civic leadership to lay the groundwork for this initiative. With facilitation support from Dr. Landon Mascareñaz, Co-Founder of Open Systems Institute, these collaborative sessions, held at various innovation hubs, resulted in the creation of a unified vision, mission, and set of guiding principles for Innovate Pikes Peak (previously known as Innovate COS). The community efforts of Innovate Pikes Peak led to a partnership between Peak Education and the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, recognizing that their combined resources could strengthen each organization's work.
Together, Peak Education and the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC issued a Request for Information (RFI) to the community and selected Empower Schools as the technical assistance provider for Innovate Pikes Peak. They also hired Jessica Warren as the Project Director to lead the work of Innovate Pikes Peak full time. To formalize their commitment, Peak Education and the Chamber signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), underscoring their joint dedication to aligning educational programs with workforce needs and providing students with hands-on learning opportunities.
Moving forward, a steering committee comprising leaders from Peak Education, the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, and industry partners will guide the project’s direction. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between education and industry, building a sustainable, career-ready pipeline for students in the Pikes Peak region.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
RECRUITMENT
100+
$2500
Scholars To Add
Per Scholar Per School Year
445
Current Scholars Serving
Peak Education’s growing support for middle and high school students, with the largest group projected to graduate in 2029. This increase points to an urgent need for expanded resources, particularly in scholarship funding, to ensure each student can pursue higher education and build a strong foundation for lifelong success. Peak Education’s commitment to educational access means that every student, regardless of background, receives access to the resources and support systems they need to achieve their goals.
Through personalized, one-on-one counseling, Spanish-language resources, and education on concurrent enrollment, Peak Education guides students and their families through the enrollment process, empowering them to make informed decisions. Our focus on college and career readiness helps students build the confidence and skills needed to succeed in college-level coursework and pursue meaningful career paths. As our student numbers grow, so does the demand for funding to close opportunity gaps and provide every student with a fair chance at success in college and beyond.
OVER $1M
Needed to Continue Serving Scholars
COMMUNITY IMPACT
DIFFERENCE MAKERS
HOVER OVER EACH TO FIND OUT MORE
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, Peak Education proudly helped every student in the Class of 2024 turn down student loans, freeing them from the burden of debt as they began their college journey. This remarkable achievement underscores the impact that community support can have on our students’ lives, giving them the financial freedom to focus on their studies and future careers.
As we look to the future, the need for support is more urgent than ever. Our cohorts are growing rapidly—2024’s group was one of our smallest with just 18 students, while our 2029 class is set to be our largest yet, with 95 scholars on their way to their dreams. With your continued support, we can offer each of these bright young minds the chance to step into higher education debt-free.
Together, we can empower them to reach their full potential without the burden of student loans, ensuring they have the resources and confidence to succeed in college and beyond.
Scholars in 2027 Needing a Boost
75
Scholars in 2026 Needing Help to Achieve their Dreams
62
24
Scholars in 2025 Needing Scholarship Assistance
Scholars in 2028 Cohort Needing Scholarship Assistance
64
SCHOLARSHIPS
COLLEGE COUNSELING SUPPORT
Enrollment Counseling Tailored to Each Scholar's Needs
1:1
200+
Scholars in our 9th-12th Grade College Counseling Support
445
Peak Education offers dedicated counseling support to assist students through every step of the enrollment process. This includes providing one-on-one enrollment counseling tailored to each student's needs, offering Spanish-language resources, and educating parents on the benefits of concurrent enrollment. Our approach is also centered on building awareness about opportunities over time so that students will feel more confident about taking advantage of college level courses at some point during their high school career. By providing targeted enrollment counseling, Peak Education addresses critical program barriers while also fostering a supportive, personalized pathway for students to succeed in higher education.
Attendees to College Counseling Events
TESTIMONIALS
WORDS FROM PARTNERS
Our partnerships are at the heart of everything we do. We're deeply grateful for the incredible support and collaboration from our community, which drives meaningful change and creates lasting impact. Together with our partners, we are shaping the future of education and opportunities in the Pikes Peak region.
I have had the honor of working with Peak Ed in Manitou Springs School District for the past 5 years. At times we don't know our impact in the moment, but with Peak Ed we get to see in real time, students who bloom with skills, passions, and goals. Even after 27 years, I still believe that education and mentorship are the keys to finding and obtaining the American Dream. In our public schools we need partners to support us in the collective goal of shaping our nation's future through our children. PeakEd believes that all children can and should achieve that dream. As a first generation college graduate I look at Carlos and his team in awe.They make sure kids like me have every chance in attending the school of their dreams. Any investment we make as a community in the educational advancements of a child ring for generations to come. Whether you are a bleeding heart or a economic conservative, we can all get behind supporting our children in achieving the mighty American Dream! They are the quiet stars in the sky looking at our region's children with the belief that if they dream it we can make it happen.
Kolleen Johnson
D14 Executive Director of Secondary Schools
Peak Education has propelled Widefield School District 3 students toward success through their personalized guidance and mentorship.
Shane Skalla
D3 Director of Innovation and Alternative Education
Peak Education plays a transformative role in shaping students' futures by providing mentorship, career/college preparation, and life-changing opportunities. Through this support, D2 students gain the skills, confidence, and pathways they need to achieve their dreams, leading to brighter outcomes and limitless possibilities.
Dr. Wendy Birhanzel
D2 Superintendent
