Students at Taunton High School will be provided with the opportunity to attend college courses free of charge.
The Healey-Driscoll administration recently announced three additional Early College partnerships on March 21, 2024, including a collaboration between Bristol Community College and Taunton High School. The awarded designation is part of a statewide effort to increase the number of high school students enrolled in Early College who take college courses and earn college credits at no cost before they graduate high school.
The Massachusetts Early College program allows students to get a head start on their higher education, contributing to significantly higher college enrollment and completion rates, particularly for low-income, minority and first-generation college students. In 2019, approximately 76 percent of Early College students enrolled in college after graduating from high school, compared to 55 percent of their peers. Through these newly awarded designations, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education expects approximately 8,700 students to be enrolled in early college programs by the 2024-2025 school year.
The recent announcement also included Early College Designations between East Boston High School and Fisher College, as well as Southbridge High School and Quinsigamond Community College.
“Bristol Community College is proud to partner with Taunton High School on the development
of an innovative Early College program that will help students build academic confidence
and recognize that college is a great option to a sustainable, well-paying career,”
said Dr. Laura L. Douglas, President, Bristol Community College. “This partnership will also support Bristol’s commitment to expanding equitable college access for students
who may not have pictured themselves earning a college degree.”
“Providing post-secondary opportunities for our traditionally underserved and underrepresented
student groups has been a long-term goal and strategic objective for Taunton Public
Schools. The early college program in partnership with Bristol Community College is
a significant step towards achieving our goals. This program will allow students in
the class of 2028 to complete a year of college before graduation without the traditional
financial burden or barrier. We are thrilled to offer this fantastic opportunity to
our students and are excited to continue our partnership with Bristol,” said John J. Cabral, Superintendent, Taunton Public Schools.
For more information about Bristol Community College’s College Access Dual Enrollment
programs, including Early College, please visit www.bristolcc.edu/collegeaccess.