The Aspen High School Post-Secondary Counseling Office is dedicated to introducing and educating students and families about options, helping each student create a personalized plan, and guiding them towards realizing their goals for life after high school.

A student and parent post-secondary planning curriculum is offered for each grade level, including:

• Evening Parent and Student Presentations for all grade levels
• Individual Student/Parent Meetings with a Post-Secondary Counselor (2+ for Juniors, 4+ for Seniors)
• College Application Case Study Program (April)
• Live virtual and in-person college visits specifically for Aspen High School Students
• Rising Senior Check-In (April and May) and Senior Bootcamp (August)
• “Application Workshops” for Seniors three times per week (Sept-Nov)
• Financial Aid Night and other Resources
• Resources and services in Spanish

Students are offered 7+ individual meetings with a Post-Secondary Counselor over the course of their four years at AHS. Two Post-Secondary Counselors split the caseload with Karen Hawkes working with students with last names beginning A-K, Brennan Dignan L-Z.

A Local Scholarship Program is administered which connects Aspen High School seniors to nearly $400,000 in community support from more than 30 local businesses, organizations, and philanthropists.

Each fall, the Aspen School District hosts the Colorado Western Slope College Fair, during which admissions officers from 250 colleges and universities connect with students from 72 western Colorado high schools.  Workshops are offered during the College Fair covering topics such as the college essay, business majors, the arts, student-athletes, highly selective schools, financial aid and our outstanding Colorado and regional colleges.

Each spring, the community offers a regional Career Expo that brings high school students together with local businesses and business leaders. Students learn about career choices and the next steps to take in order to achieve them.