Opinion: Thanks to Early College, I’m graduating high school next month with my diploma and an associate degree from Massasoit Community College.

As the feeling of high school graduation begins to settle in, I can’t help but think what type of college student I’ll become. However, I am certain of one thing, I will be a successful college student. The thing is, I’ll be graduating from New Heights Charter School with an associate degree from Massasoit Community College, and this was made possible by the Massachusetts Early College Initiative. Early College  enables participating high schools and colleges to earn a state designation that allows high school students like me to enroll in college courses, with additional support and at no cost. For me, this means I will graduate from high school with 70 college credits, culminating in a liberal arts transfer associate degree from Massasoit Community College. My Early College experience has gifted me with knowledge about and preparedness for my academic ambitions, my increasing passion for economics, and the vital skills to get through college. Through the experience, I’ve grown and developed confidence in my education. 

Beginning in my 8th grade year, I was able to enroll in college courses that have aided in self-discovery and personal growth. I’ve honed my academic interests and have been intellectually pushed. I’ve been able to foster strong relationships with peers and professors, offering a renewed viewpoint on college. Most importantly, I have been able to earn college credits for free, saving me time and money.

I enrolled in New Heights’ Early College program to be challenged as well as to gain an understanding of the courses I’m interested in and to identify the career field I’m interested in pursuing. I’ve studied American History, Economics, and Sociology at Massasoit Community College. Access to these courses has assisted me in developing my passion for economics, and has intellectually pushed me so that now I’m ready for a four-year college. Combining high school and college academics has been tough, but I’ve also learned the vital time management skills that help make college students successful.

Taking more than 20 college courses and 70 college credits has challenged me, encouraged career exploration, and helped me construct better study techniques. Early College has helped me work towards becoming my best, and given the recent success of Early College, changing student’s lives in schools and districts across the Commonwealth and the country, I believe this opportunity should be available to many more Taunton students to help them realize their education and career goals.