High admission standards and the Block Plan help Colorado College student athletes keep their grades up and graduate at a high rate each May, despite the time demands of competing in Division I and III sports.
 
The NCAA's Academic Performance Rating (APR) has been excellent for both Division I sports with hockey scoring 994 points out of a possible 1,000  for the 2010-11 seasons while women's soccer had 993. The APR is determined by the number of scholarship athletes enrolled who remain academically eligible to compete each semester.  
 
“That is about as close to perfect as you can get,” said Greg Capel, associate director of athletics and director of compliance.
 
The national average is 970. according to an NCAA report from May 2011.
 
The overall graduation rate for student athletes is approximately 92 percent, Capel said.
 
A recent post on the CC Tigers Athletics Facebook page mistakenly speculated that five hockey seniors who left school in March and April for the professional ranks would not graduate. Thanks to the school's unique academic format, the optional summer and half blocks in particular, all five actually completed  their classwork by the end of Block Six in March. The normal eight-block school year ended on May 16.
 
One of those players was American Hockey League defenseman Gabe Guentzel, who will graduate on time on Monday, May 21.
 
“We all know what is expected of us and what we need to do,” the economics major said. “I took classes during my first summer and made sure I stayed on track.”

Colorado College's  high admission standards typically attract student-athletes who already take academics seriously.  That is a question best answered during recruiting when a potential player's previous schools, test scores and grade-point average come under the scrutiny of CC's admissions office, head hockey coach Scott Owens said.
 
“We know what to look for in players,” Owens said.
 
Once students are enrolled, the block plan helps immensely, said head women's soccer coach Geoff Bennett.
 
“The block plan is put together so all students graduate in four years,” he said. “You don't have some taking 12 credits and others up to 18 a semester as you do at other schools. With the block plan, everyone is on the same schedule.”
 
The APR applies only to players receiving full or partial athletic scholarships, so it is irrelevant to the Division III programs.
 
Academics remain the No. 1 reason that athletes enroll at CC, which is typical at the Division III level, said head men's basketball coach Andy Partee.
 
“Some have left the program, especially juniors and seniors who are not playing much, so they can focus on academics,” Partee said. “We do not do less than CU-Boulder. Division III still demands their time.”
 
Those who stay all four years know how to take advantage of the block plan. Most complete their most difficult courses during the offseason or over the summer, especially labs, said graduating women's lacrosse standout and psychology major Grace Maloney.
 
“Block breaks are also great for scheduling away trips without missing class,” said Maloney, who tied for sixth in the program's record books with 126 career goals while ranking sixth all alone in points (183) and assists (57).
 
Partee has not had a student-athlete transfer out of Colorado in his five seasons at the helm. Head volleyball coach Rick Swan said only three have left CC in his 14 years.
 
“These kids tend to stay in school,” Swan said. “(Tuition) is a commitment the parents have had to make already.”
 
It all starts with the caliber of student athletes CC coaches recruit – those who can perform at a high level on the field and in the classroom.
 
“Academics definitely come first at CC,” Maloney said. “Athletes are expected to be able to maintain their coursework regardless of their schedule and it is unacceptable for sports to interfere with athletes' academic performance.”
 
Despite the extra time and work, competing in athletics remains beneficial.
 
“Being a student-athlete has taught me to prioritize and manage my time efficiently,” Maloney said. “These skills will help me become successful far beyond my time at CC.”