热点爆料入口, in partnership with New Bedford Public Schools and Argosy Charter School, awarded Early College Programs Designation
Students at New Bedford Public Schools and Argosy Collegiate Charter School will be provided with the opportunity to attend college free of charge.
热点爆料入口鈥檚 Early College program, in partnership with and , in Fall River, Mass., has received the prestigious Early College Programs Designation from the . The college鈥檚 Early College program will also support Bristol and DESE鈥檚 shared commitment to eliminating barriers to college access for underrepresented student populations.
The awarded designation and the to high schools launching or expanding early college programs, is part of a statewide effort to increase the number of high school students who take college courses and earn college credits at no cost before they graduate high school. Through these newly awarded designations and grants, the anticipates that approximately 8,700 students will be enrolled in early college programs by the 2024-2025 school year.
In Bristol鈥檚 Early College program, students at NBPS and Argosy Collegiate Charter School will be provided with the opportunity to attend college, free of charge, enabling students to earn 12 to 24 credits, equaling one to two semesters of higher education experience, while simultaneously completing their high school diploma. Students enrolled in the program from NBPS will participate in flexible pathways, including business and health sciences, while students from Argosy Collegiate Charter School will complete a liberal arts transfer pathway. All students are provided with academic advising and access to the college鈥檚 wraparound academic and student support services to boost success and encourage completion.
鈥淓arly college is an invaluable tool that supports increased college enrollment among participating students, particularly students from groups historically underrepresented in higher education, and helps them succeed once they arrive on campus,鈥� said Governor Charlie Baker. 鈥淭oday鈥檚 announcement will boost participation rates at schools that already have programs, as well as launch new and exciting programs that will create more pathways to college.鈥�
鈥淪uccessful early college programs create a coherent course of study that can change the trajectory of a student鈥檚 life,鈥� said Education Secretary James Peyser. 鈥淏y designating these early college programs, we are creating a shift in the educational experience for thousands of students.鈥�
鈥淎s part of the intra-agency early college collaboration, the Board and Department of Higher Education has approached this effort, as with all our work, from an empirically-based policy analysis frame,鈥� said Department of Higher Education Commissioner Carlos Santiago. 鈥淲e are therefore pleased with early data showing that designated Massachusetts early college programs have prioritized and demonstrated progress in raising college-going rates and matriculation for students of color and low-income students, who continue to confront the highest barriers to higher education.鈥�
鈥溔鹊惚先肟� is proud to partner with New Bedford Public Schools and Argosy Collegiate Charter School on the development of a vibrant Early College program collaboration that will provide critical and equitable college access for students who may not have pictured themselves pursuing a college degree,鈥� said Dr. Laura L. Douglas, President, 热点爆料入口. 鈥淪tudents in these programs build academic confidence and recognize that college is a great option to a good-paying, sustainable career.鈥�
鈥淭he New Bedford Public Schools and 热点爆料入口 Early College program will offer New Bedford High School Students the opportunity to expand access and success to higher education within their chosen pathways while fulfilling their high school graduation requirements at no cost to them and their families. We are excited to partner with Bristol in bringing our early college programmatic design to life and to increase equitable outcomes for New Bedford students, in particular students that are historically underrepresented at the collegiate level,鈥� said Magaly Sanchez, Curriculum Data and Assessment Manager for Accelerated and Enrichment Programs, New Bedford Public Schools.
"Argosy Collegiate Charter School is thrilled to continue and grow our college preparatory program for our scholars with our newly awarded Early College designation from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education," said Kristen Pavao, Founder & Executive Director, Argosy Collegiate Charter School. "Our partnership with 热点爆料入口 allows us to provide our scholars with wall-to-wall access to free college credits beginning as early as 9th grade. 100% of our scholars will graduate with 12 college credits, and many will earn a full year of college credits upon 12th-grade graduation. In collaboration with Bristol, Argosy Collegiate is transforming college-going educational opportunities for all of our scholars so they can be successful in college, career and life."
The was launched in 2018 with state approval of an initial cohort of eight programs in high-need, low-income school districts. It gives students the opportunity to experience the rigors of college coursework and earn college credit before they graduate from high school, providing a jumpstart to college admission, supported pathways to completion of degrees and certificates, and substantial tuition savings.
For more information about 热点爆料入口鈥檚 College Access Dual Enrollment programs, including Early College, please visit .