Early College, Dual Enrollment & College Access Programs

At MWCC we offer a variety of programs to students in traditional middle and high schools, as well as homeschooled students. These programs provide opportunities for academic, college, and career awareness and participation.

Programs fall into two categories, Dual Enrollment and Early College or College Access.

Dual Enrollment and Early College

Traditionally referred to as Dual Enrollment, Early College programs have grown exponentially in the last decade and show significant promise for students and the communities they serve. Programs range from traditional dual enrollment, where a high school student takes college courses for credit while still attending their high school, to full immersion early college, where high school students attend MWCC full time while earning their high school diploma and college credit – sometimes even receiving their associate degree. These programs are Traditional Dual Enrollment, Gateway to College, Pathways Early College Experience, and North Central Early College Academy.

Benefits of Dual Enrollment and Early College

  • Early exposure to college-level coursework
  • Extra help to prepare for and pass MCAS
  • Career exposure and counseling
  • Tutorials, workshops, and activities prepare students for life and careers

Explore the Dual Enrollment and Early College Opportunities below and sign up for a Dual Enrollment Information session to learn which is right for you.

All applicants for Gateway to College must attend an info session and complete the online application. Please call 978-630-9248 to sign up for an information session.

Please note that the essay portions will be used to determine English placement and should reflect your best writing skills.  All materials should be emailed to gateway@mwcc.mass.edu.

Download the Application (PDF)

Click here for the Online Application

Students enrolled at Gardner High School, Leominster High School, Fitchburg High School and Sizer School may apply for the North Central Massachusetts Early College Academy. At FHS and LHS, classes primarily take place at each high school or virtually, during the school day, and are taught by MWCC or Fitchburg State University faculty. Students at Sizer School primarily take courses with Fitchburg State University, and students from Gardner High School take courses at the MWCC campus and online.

Early College programs are also offered at Narragansett Regional High School. Early College will be offered at these high schools at no cost to students or families. Coursework is integrated into the school day, and is all part of the Massachusetts Transfer Agreement, ensuring transfer to public institutions and many privates as well.

Students will attain both high school and college credits for successfully completed courses and are eligible to attain 12 or more college credits prior to high school graduation in a defined academic pathway, such as Healthcare, Business, Education, or Liberal Arts & Sciences. There is no cost to students for these courses or the program. This program is offered in partnership with these schools and Fitchburg State University. For additional information, interested students should contact their respective guidance office at participating schools.

Application

Click here for the Online Application

Click here to download: North Central Early College Academy Application

Mount Wachusett Community College is pleased to offer an Early College High School opportunity to motivated students who would like to get a jump start on college. The goal of Pathways is to provide 20 high school students, per year, the opportunity to earn their high school diploma and an Associate degree while completing their junior and senior year taking courses at MWCC. Click to learn more.

Application

  • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
  • Call 978-630-9248 to sign up for an information session.

Click here for the Online Application

Click here to download: Pathways Early College Experience Application

Earn college credits through Dual Enrollment courses at MWCC. This program allows you to earn credit toward a high school/homeschool diploma and college degree simultaneously, saving you time and money toward your college degree.

Dual Enrollment offers a unique true-to-life academic college experience, allowing the student to focus on courses that will be transferable to most two-year and four-year public and private institutions, while simultaneously completing their high school graduation requirements. Click to learn more.

Application

This application is for high school juniors and seniors who want to take college classes while simultaneously completing their high school graduation requirements. 

High School Dual Enrollment Online Application

High School Dual Enrollment Downloadable PDF Application

College Access Programs

College Access programs focus on exposing students in middle and high school to college through college tours, career advising and college preparation. College Access programs include North Central Mass Talent Search, Educational Talent Search, Gear Up, and Upward Bound Math and Science. These programs are grant-funded and targeted at specific school districts and age groups.

Benefits of College Access Programs

  • College Focused Workshops including enhanced study strategies, preparing for PSAT/SAT, admissions and financial aid
  • Career Assessment and Exploration
  • College Tour Field Trips
  • Homework support and academic counseling

The primary goal of the Educational Talent Search (ETS) grant is to assist participants to successfully complete middle and high school and enroll in postsecondary education. Middle and high school students from four local districts continue to receive support from staff at Mount Wachusett Community College.

Talent Search offers services to six hundred ninety-five (695) individuals, primarily in grades six through twelve, of whom at least two-thirds must be income-eligible and potential first-generation college students. Click to learn more.

The school districts targeted in the grant include:

  • Fitchburg (Arthur M. Longsjo Middle School, Memorial Middle School, Fitchburg High School)
  • Gardner (Gardner Middle School, Gardner High School)
  • Leominster (Samoset Middle School, Sky View Middle School, Leominster High School)

Application

Download Application (PDF) or click here to launch our web application.

Essentially, the primary goal of the North Central Massachusetts Talent Search (NCMTS) grant is to assist participants from eligible districts to successfully complete middle and high school and enroll in postsecondary education with the support of MWCC staff.

Talent Search offers services to five hundred (500) individuals in grades six through twelve, of whom at least two-thirds must be income-eligible and potential first-generation college students.  Click to learn more.

Talent Search offers services to students from the following districts:

  • Fitchburg (Sizer)
  • Athol (Athol Royalston Middle School, Athol High School)
  • Orange (Ralph C. Mahar Regional School)
  • Winchendon (Murdock Middle/High School)
  • Clinton (Clinton Middle and High School)

Application

Click here for the NCMTS Online Application