Marlborough High Joins Massachusetts Alliance for Early College

In full transparency, the following is a press release submitted to SOURCE from the Marlborough Mayor’s office.

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MARLBOROUGH – On Tuesday, February 15 the Massachusetts Alliance for Early College was launched in order to increase the Early College Program numbers. The Alliance is a coalition of more than 80 organizations across Massachusetts, including Marlborough High School, that aim to increase the number of students in the Early College Program from 4,500 students to 45,000 over the next five years.

In Early College, high school students take strategically sequenced, real college classes with strong career orientations during their regular high school day, at no cost to themselves or their families. 

Early College students in Massachusetts are one-third more likely than school peers to go to college immediately after high school graduation and over 50% more cumulatively likely to persist into a second year, suggesting they are on track to complete a degree at twice the rate of their school peers.

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This year, 119 Marlborough high school students are participating in 140 early college courses, with some students taking more than one course.

Marlborough High School has been participating in the Early College Program for close to a decade with proven results.

“Marlborough has enjoyed participating in Early College educational opportunities for years.  Our data shows that it increases access to college enrollment, and as important, students persist and stay in college at higher rates as well.  Early College raises the level of rigor in education, and provides considerable costs savings to students who earn college credit while still enrolled as high school students.   This opportunity is transformational for our students, many who are economically disadvantaged and the first in their household to attend a college or university.  The Commonwealth, and our partners at Quinsigamond Community College have provided so many students with an incredible opportunity through this valuable program,” said Marlborough Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bergeron.

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“I am proud that Marlborough High School has been a leader in this initiative for close to ten years. Our Early College Program is a game changer which provides a 21 st century education in the face of a rapidly changing economy. It not only sets our students up for success in college and the workforce, but produces skilled employees for our local companies here in the City,” said Mayor Arthur Vigeant.

The Massachusetts Alliance for Early College (MA4EC) is a cross-sector coalition committed to dramatically increasing the number of students with access to high-quality Early College in Massachusetts. To see what local companies participate and learn more about the MA Alliance for Early College and its initiative, visit their website www.ma4ec.org.

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