Littleton students with 2.0 GPA gain guaranteed entry to MSU Denver

Littleton Public Schools Superintendent Todd Lambert and MSU Denver Executive Director of Admissions Vaughn Toland signed a new agreement on Monday, Nov. 9. The contract guarantees admission to the university for Littleton students who maintain an unweighted, cumulative grade point average of 2.0.

The financial terms of the deal include $500 scholarships for each semester. This amount covers approximately 10% of typical enrollment fees for the participating students.

Georgia Moore, a senior at Littleton High School, already committed to attending MSU Denver next year. Moore is weighing a major in geology or meteorology. They cited a strong sense of belonging during a campus open house as the deciding factor. Moore noted that other universities felt less fitting during their visit.

Toland stated that the university prioritizes access for students who might not view college as attainable. The goal is to ensure these students not only enroll but also graduate. Lambert added that the school district does not encourage students to take on challenges they are unlikely to meet.

Moore argued that a high school GPA does not fully measure a student's intelligence or drive. They explained that a 2.0 average often indicates that a student is not well-suited to the high school system rather than a lack of ability.

The agreement provides assurance to students who wish to pursue post-secondary education but fear rejection. Moore said the guarantee removes the anxiety of not being able to attend. The new deal gives Littleton students a clear path to MSU Denver if they meet the academic threshold.

The partnership aims to increase enrollment from the local district. Both leaders emphasized the importance of student success and retention at the university. The signed agreement takes effect for the upcoming academic cycle.