Early College High School: How It Works

An early college high school is a public school, usually run with a partner college, where students take college courses as part of their regular schedule and can earn up to an associate degree or about two years of college credit along with a high school diploma. College courses are often free or low cost for families. It is a whole school model, not a few extra classes.

How an early college high school works

A partnership. The school district works with a community college or university, and many early colleges sit on or near a college campus.
A planned sequence. Students usually start with high school courses and support, then take more college courses each year.
A cohort. Students move through the program together, with advisors who know them.
Admission. Often an application, interview or lottery. Many programs prioritize students who would be the first in their family to attend college.
Length. Most are four years; some add a fifth year to finish a degree.

Cost, eligibility and how programs are run vary by state and district, so check with the school and your state education department.

Early college vs dual enrollment

Both let high school students earn college credit, but the experience is different.

Dual enrollment means a student at a regular high school takes individual college courses, chosen one at a time.
Early college is a full school designed around college coursework, with a set sequence, built-in support and the goal of a degree or a large block of credit.
AP and IB earn possible college credit through exam scores, while early college credit comes from passing the college course itself. See college credit in high school.

What kind of student does well

Early college can be a great fit, and it asks a lot of a 15- or 16-year-old. Students who tend to thrive:

Want to save time or money on college and are curious about adult classes.
Can keep up with heavy reading and assignments due far apart, with fewer reminders.
Are willing to ask a professor for help. See teen self-advocacy.
Are comfortable trading some traditional high school experiences, such as large sports programs or many electives.

One caution: college grades earned in high school go on a permanent college transcript. Later colleges, and possibly financial aid offices, may see them, so a rough semester follows the student. Our guide to how college differs from high school explains the shift.

How early college credits transfer

This is the question to ask before enrolling, not after.

Public colleges in the same state often accept credits under state transfer agreements, and an associate degree may satisfy general education requirements at some of them.
Private and out-of-state colleges decide course by course and may accept fewer credits.
Credits can count as electives rather than toward a major, so check major requirements, especially in engineering, nursing and similar programs.
Application status varies. Many colleges still treat early college graduates as first-year applicants; others may treat them as transfers. Ask each college.
Keep records. Save syllabi and the official college transcript. See transfer credits explained.

Questions to ask before enrolling

What do families pay, if anything, for tuition, fees and books?
How many students finish with a degree or a full block of credit?
What support exists when a student struggles in a college course?
Can a student leave the program and return to a regular high school?
Which sports, arts and activities are available?

Where a mentor helps

Early college students face college-style deadlines years before most of their peers. A mentor helps them plan each week, break long assignments into steps, prepare to talk with professors and follow through between sessions. Mentors are not tutors or academic advisors; the program’s advisors handle course planning. Parents get regular updates. Learn more about mentoring for high school students.

Common questions

Is early college high school free?

Many early college programs cover college tuition for students, but costs for fees, books and transportation vary. Ask the program directly.

Do early college students get a normal high school diploma?

Yes, students earn a high school diploma, and many also earn an associate degree or a block of college credit. Requirements vary by program.

Can early college credits help at a four-year university?

Often, especially at public colleges in the same state, but acceptance depends on the receiving college and the intended major. Check transfer policies early.

Get started

Want support for a student taking on college work early? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.

Early College High Schools: Earning a Degree Alongside a Diploma