On the heels of last week’s State of the Commonwealth address in which Governor Maura Healey announced the goal of enrolling 100,000 Early College students by 2036, the administration today awarded $8.2 million in designated Early College grants to support an additional 44 new partnerships between high schools and institutions of higher education.
Included in those partnerships are Lowell, Dracut and Chelmsford Public Schools, along with Greater Lowell Technical High School, UMass Lowell and Middlesex Community College.
Lowell High School and UMass Lowell received $22,368 for their partnership, with Chelmsford Public Schools and Middlesex Community College notching $25,000 for their program. Dracut Public Schools and Greater Lowell Tech each received $25,000 for their partnership with UMass Lowell.
Early College allows high school students to take college classes and earn college credit at no cost to them or their families.
The funds awarded today will be used to support schools and higher education institutions as they design new Early College programs, expand existing programs, increase staffing and recruitment, and provide professional development. Early college programs are a key part of the administration’s “Reimagining High School” initiative, ensuring Massachusetts students are prepared for college or careers when they graduate high school.
“Early College is one of the strongest tools we have to make higher education more affordable and accessible for our students,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By doubling capacity in the next couple of years, we will be able to help more students—especially first-generation students and students of color—get a real head start on college and careers.”
More than 10,000 students are projected to participate in Early College this school year with the goal of providing Early College access to as many as 22,000 students by the end of the decade.
“Early College helps students connect their education to real-world careers while saving time and money on a college degree,” said Education Secretary Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “By expanding capacity and strengthening supports, we’re giving more students the opportunity to earn college credit, build confidence, and reach their full potential.”
New data analysis shows the state’s investment in Early College is paying off, with 66 percent of Early College graduates immediately enroll in higher education after high school, with the majority enrolling at a public college or university in Massachusetts.
Once enrolled in higher education, former Early College are also persisting – with 87 percent staying in college through a second term and 82 percent returning to college for a second year.
This school year, there are 78 high schools and 32 higher education institutions participating in Early College. Families can use the Massachusetts School Finder to search for schools near them that offer Early College.
