Opinion: How my Early College experience at Charlestown High School shaped my future

Have you given up on something before you even gave it a try? I have. 

Due to my concerns about academic challenges, lack of confidence, and the financial burden college could place upon my family and me, college was not on my radar. When I started attending Charlestown High School, I was given the opportunity to enroll in their Early College program, which allowed me to start taking courses at Bunker Hill Community College and earn college credits for free. I participated in the C-Town Tech Pathway program which is a unique opportunity for students to explore topics and careers in Information Technology. Early College is more than just taking college-level courses while in high school. Early College is like a simulator that trains students and allows them to explore college and learn how to navigate the college process without any financial liability to them and their families. Massachusetts should increase access to Early College programs because it can provide students with early access to college, building their confidence and college readiness while still in the supported high school environment.

Since middle school, I had been asked by many what college and major I was interested in pursuing. The answer to that question became clear to me only after I participated in Early College. Through my time at Bunker Hill, I was treated exactly as if I was a college student. I did not receive extra time or help on assignments or exams, but had access to tutoring centers and professors’ office hours. I was given full freedom to register for any course in any field as long as I met the prerequisite to register for the class. As a result, I earned 12 course credits and all of them transferred to my current institution, Suffolk University. Through this opportunity, I built confidence in my ability to succeed in college-level courses and developed the mindset that I am college material. While Early College offers a significant financial benefit, it also requires a lot of hard work to succeed. I had no regret taking on that challenge because Early College helped me pursue not just my current major, but also my dream. I believe every student can benefit from Early College, especially if they are confused or lack confidence in their ability to succeed in college.

Early College access should be expanded because students should be able to take genuine college-level courses and connect with real college instructors in a college campus atmosphere. While AP and honor courses did help me to gain confidence academically, my Early College experience was unique and pushed me one step further because it introduced me directly to college, expanding my sense of possibilities for my future. As an Early College graduate, I am now attending a four-year private college where I’m participating in the honors program and have made the Dean’s List three times. I advocate for education equity through Early College because the impact that Early College had on me is sustainable and will continue to help me thrive. I believe no student should feel despair over their academic future, and Early College can show them what their academic future could, should, and will be if they’re given the opportunity.