What is the Early College Program?

Framingham High School MetroWest Early College program offers students the opportunity to earn a minimum of 12 college credits for FREE, while still in high school. The classes are all taught by Framingham State and MassBay Community College Professors and built into the student's daily high school schedule. Beginning in 9th grade, students can apply to MWES. In 10th grade, accepted students begin taking exploratory college-credit classes. By 11th and 12th grade, students are fully engaged in the program and may earn 12 or more college credits while still completing high school. The program is designed with support structures involving staff, student coaches, and college faculty from partner institutions: Framingham State University and Mass Bay Community College

This program provides the benefits of Dual Enrollment, but is embedded within the regular school day.

Professors will come to FHS and teach in our classrooms during the regular school day, along with a teacher from Framingham High School to help bridge the gap between high school and college.

Students will be getting a head start on college and we will be here to help you every step of the way.

Here are a few ways that we will help support students in the :

• Career exploration workshops and field trips

• College application help

• Note taking and other study skill strategies

• Choosing a college major

• Referrals for Tutoring and other support services

• Student success check-ins to make sure you are attending classes and managing classwork

• College financial aid workshops

• Field trips to local colleges

• Academic Advising

Our goal is to help students be better prepared for college.
We want to equip students with the tools and habits that lead to success not only in high school, but in all post-secondary learning pathways. Courses such as Oral Communication, Sociology, Intro to Business, Cultural Anthropology, and others will enable students to get the general education requirements (required for most associate and bachelor’s degrees) completed before they even graduate high school! Credits will transfer to most public colleges and universities in Massachusetts.

Private colleges and universities transfer policies will vary.

Does it work?

Data released by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shows that high school graduates who participate in Early College programs are enrolling in college at a rate that is 20 percentage points higher than their school or state peers. Both Dual Enrollment and Early College Program provide students with the opportunity to get a head start on their post-secondary education while building skills and confidence that will help them succeed post graduation-at no cost to them or their families.