Providing Vermont high school seniors the opportunity to experience college classes before enrolling as a student is Castleton’s Early College Program, a new academic program developed to encourage successful high school students to pursue higher education.
Adopted by Castleton at the beginning of the fall 2014 semester, the state funded program geared towards in-state students focuses on preparing students for life after high school graduation by allowing seniors to attend college for a full academic year tuition free.
“I think it’s been great. We get really bright, young students and their professors love them,” said Dean of Humanities, Social Sciences and Faculty Mentoring Jonathan Spiro.
Through the program students can take full advantage of selecting classes aimed towards their future career goals and aspirations. Though the program does not allow the high school participants to live on campus, they are encouraged to get involved in other aspects of college life, such a various clubs and organizations, while enrolled.
Current student, Sarah Coker, of Poultney, decided to participate in the program because she felt that academically, she was ready for a new challenge and to take on the much bigger responsibility of college courses. The broken up class schedules and sense of freedom are what Coker says she enjoys most about being a college student.
“I’m doing well in all of my classes and learning a lot,” Coker said.
West Rutland High School senior Samantha Lynch has also taken full advantage of the early college start. Since joining the program she has become Vice President of the university’s One in Ten club on campus and works as a part of the Castleton Phonathon.
“I get to be a senior in high school and a freshman in college,” said Lynch, adding that the combination of the two have helped her to better decide a career path.
Lynch and Coker mark just two of the six high school students participating in the program this year. The university plans to continue growing the program in years to come, with hopes of bringing even more high school students to campus in the upcoming academic year.
“They’re getting great grades and are totally involved in college as much as a regular student,” said Spiro. “It’s been a great success.”