At MWCC we offer a variety of programs to students in middle and high school as well as home schools and adults with opportunities for academic, college, and career awareness.
Programs fall into two categories, Dual Enrollment and Early College or College Access.
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, Education 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
Dual Enrollment and Early College
Traditionally referred to as Dual Enrollment and 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 juniors and seniors attend MWCC full time earning their high school diploma and college credit – often receiving their associate degree in addition to their high school diploma.
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
Services are generally provided through targeted grant initiatives. In addition, MWCC hosts several annual events and activities designed for students and parents, which are open to the public.
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.
Dual Enrollment Information Sessions
All 2023 sessions will be held on the first Wednesday of the month from 6 pm to 7 pm. Click on the links below to register and receive Zoom meeting information via email.
Early College and Dual Enrollment
Articulation Agreements from High Schools
MWCC recognizes the need for the continued growth of students in a manner that builds on past learning experience and eliminates unnecessary duplication of instruction. Articulation agreements allow for high school students to enroll at MWCC and be awarded credits for work completed at the high school level. Click to learn more.
Educational Talent Search
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.
Gateway to College
Gateway to College is a unique dual enrollment opportunity for students who either have not experienced success in the traditional high school setting or are looking for a new opportunity to excel while still in high school or home school. The program is ideal for students who have dropped out of high school or are at risk of dropping out. Gateway students have the opportunity to earn a high school diploma with the added benefit of receiving free college credits toward an Associate degree or certificate through a variety of career-focused pathways. Click to learn more.
GEAR UP
GEAR UP is a seven-year initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Education, and administered by Mount Wachusett Community College, in partnership with Fitchburg Public Schools. Additionally, GEAR UP has several community partners that contribute time and resources to support grant goals and objectives. This partnership mission is two-fold: to provide cohort students with intensive academic, recreational, and family based interventions; and to provide the public school districts with a sustainable, system-wide infusion of instructional and curricular reforms that lead to improvements in teaching, learning, and curriculum design. Click to learn more.
North Central Mass. Talent Search
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 from 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.
Pathways Early College Experience
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.
Traditional Dual Enrollment
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.
Upward Bound Math and Science
The primary goal of the Upward Bound Math and Science program (UBMS) is to prepare high school students for post-secondary education programs that lead to careers in the fields of math and science. The objectives of the program are an academic improvement on standardized tests, project retention, post-secondary enrollment and post-secondary persistence. Click to learn more.
Early College & Dual Enrollment Applications
MWCC administers a number of programs providing middle through high school students with an array of college and career awareness opportunities. Visit the K-12 Program page to learn more.
Gateway to College Application
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.
Pathways Early College Experience Application
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. The final deadline is
June 30, 2023EXTENDED! New deadline is July 21! - 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
Educational Talent Search Application
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.
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)
Download Application (PDF) or click here to launch our web application.
North Central Mass. Talent Search Application
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 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)
Traditional Dual Enrollment Application
This application is for high school juniors and seniors who want to take college classes while simultaneously completing their high school graduation requirements.
North Central Early College Academy Application
Click here for the Online Application
Click here to download: North Central Early College Academy Application