By MADDY VITALE
Ocean City School District is joining five others in the region that are partnering with Atlantic Cape Community College in an “Early College High School” initiative.
The partnership provides an innovative way for high school students to earn both a high school degree and an associate degree or up to two years of credit toward a bachelor’s degree in the time it takes to go to high school, according to Laura Batchelor, executive director of marketing and college relations at ACCC.
ACCC launched the Early College program with Greater Egg Harbor Regional in Atlantic County and Middle Township High School in Cape May County about a year ago.
“This is a rollout to six area high school districts in both counties. As this program continues to gain momentum, we hope to be present in high schools throughout Atlantic and Cape May counties,” Batchelor said.
The result is saving the students and their families both time and money. The ECHS initiative began nationwide in 2002 with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
“The Early College program is part of a multiple high school memorandum of understanding. We are signing over the next week or so,” Batchelor said. “In fact, we just signed Greater Egg Harbor (Regional High School district).”
Ocean City High School students will attend a signing ceremony at the Cape May County campus Wednesday at noon.
“The partnership between Ocean City High School and Atlantic Cape Community College (ACCC) has been a stepping stone utilized by Ocean City students for decades, whether they attend to save money before continuing their education at a four-year institution, to get acquainted to college life in a smaller setting, or to decide a path they want to take throughout their collegiate education,” Ocean City Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor said in a statement.
“Expanding this stepping stone to receive college credit and now an associate’s degree will allow our students the freedom to explore the concept of college and collegiate level academia as well as save on college tuition costs,” she added.
Another bonus is that it gives students an opportunity to discover what they like, Dr. Taylor noted.
“It also gives students the option to sample courses in areas of interest, before experiencing all of the added stimulation of college life, which aids students in discovering the path that best suits them,” she said. “We hope that by giving our students these college opportunities will lay a stronger foundation for a career direction and, as a result, a successful future.”
Like Taylor, Batchelor emphasized how important it is for high school students to have the opportunity to earn their associate degrees before they graduate.
“There are a few distinct advantages to enrolling in our Early College program. The first is cost,” she pointed out. “Atlantic Cape is offering a lower tuition rate for credits earned in high school. Considering the escalating costs of higher education, this program can save students even more, keeping them out of large debt.”
It also saves time.
“By earning college credits in high school, students can graduate with a significant number of credits already toward their college degree,” Batchelor said.
She also said research shows students who participate in Early College programs are more likely to attend and graduate college successfully.
Below is a list of times, dates and locations of all six signing ceremonies at ACCC:
On Wednesday, the Cape May County Campus will have signings for Ocean City High School at noon, and at 9 a.m. Middle Township High School will have a signing.
On the following Wednesday, Nov. 20, at the Mays Landing Campus will be the signing for Egg Harbor Township High School at 2 p.m.
On Thursday, Nov. 21, at Worthington Atlantic City Campus at 2 p.m. will be a signing for Atlantic City High School.
About Atlantic Cape Community College:
Atlantic Cape Community College is a comprehensive two-year community college serving the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties.
The college offers over 40 career, transfer and workforce development programs to more than 8,000 students annually at three campuses in New Jersey: Atlantic City, Cape May Court House and Mays Landing.
The college boasts several courses of study, including nursing, aviation and drone technology, criminal justice, liberal arts and the Academy of Culinary Arts. It is rated the No. 1 culinary school in New Jersey.
Graduates can continue their education with any number of four-year institutions, including Rutgers University, which is housed on the Mays Landing Campus.
