Lesley University and Cambridge Public Schools (CPS) have launched a new partnership to pilot an Early College Program serving students in grades 10, 11 and 12 at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS).
The program will provide CRLS students with opportunities to fulfill high school graduation requirements while also earning college credits.
“Building on the successful paraprofessional master’s degree partnership we launched last year between CPS and Lesley, our new Early College partnership is another step in creating educational pathways for students historically underrepresented in higher ed,” says Lesley President Janet L. Steinmayer. “We are looking forward to welcoming CRLS students into our classrooms this spring and to expanding access to higher ed among the city’s youth.”
Set to start in January 2022, the Lesley-CPS Early College pilot will enable eligible CRLS students to enroll in a Lesley course as non-degree students to receive dual high school and college credit. Classes will be taught by Lesley faculty on the university’s campus. Advising and counseling services will be offered through both CRLS and Lesley to support the high-schoolers’ successful transition to post-secondary education.
CRLS and Lesley have jointly filed a first-round application to achieve the state’s Early College designation. While the partners wait to hear about official Early College status, they are moving forward to pilot the concept. A committee with appointed representatives from Lesley, CPS and the city will oversee the pilot, which is intended to position Cambridge and Lesley to obtain Massachusetts Early College partner designation for the 2022-23 school year.
Early College Initiative aims to provide equity and access
Massachusetts launched its Early College Initiative in 2017 to connect school districts with local colleges to provide high school students access to college-level courses and credit in order to increase rates of college completion and career success. The program’s target group includes first-generation students, members of marginalized and underserved communities, as well as students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or other learning challenges. The aim is to enroll students who may not have been considering post-secondary education or who may have thought college was out of reach. About 4,000 students are enrolled in Early College programs statewide this academic year.
The Massachusetts Early College Initiative is founded on the five guiding principles of a high-quality college and career pathway: equitable access, guided academic pathways, enhanced student supports, connection to career and effective partnerships.
Lesley and CPS have applied for approval in pathways including:
- Art & Design
- Human Services/Social Work
- Environmental Science
- Health Sciences
- Writing and Communication
- Education
Work is underway to determine which pathway will have the broadest appeal to CRLS students for the pilot.
"This is exactly the kind of program we want our youth to participate in."
Cambridge Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and School Committee Member Fred Fantini both championed the Early College initiative and led the charge to bring this pilot together working with Cambridge Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Schools Dr. Nicole Gittens and Lesley Associate Provost Jen Serowick. After working through the schedule, budget and courses offered, the team was able to move forward with the idea.
“I am thrilled that the Early College Pilot will be underway in January,” says Mayor Siddiqui. “Providing CRLS students with an opportunity to get a jump on college courses has been shown to increase rates of college completion and lead to longer term success. This is exactly the kind of program we want our youth to participate in, especially those from populations who are underrepresented in higher ed. We are lucky to have a great partner in Lesley University in our community and I am looking forward to students taking advantage of the program.”
Fantini adds, “Early College is a proven high leverage strategy for getting historically underserved populations to experience college courses while in high school that will lead to successful college entrance and completion. This is consistent with our equity goals in CPS. I appreciated working with such a strong team from Lesley University, the Cambridge Public Schools and the Mayor’s Office.”
CRLS will coordinate enrollment in the pilot program and interested students should contact the high school’s Guidance Office for more information.
