Although many high schools around the nation offer concurrent college enrollment programs -- including Irondale High School and Mounds View High School -- those programs traditionally serve most effectively the highest-achieving students in the top third of their class. And through those programs, earning an associate degree by high school graduation isn't a given.
Mounds View Public Schools' new Early College program targets Irondale and Mounds View students who are in the middle of their class (30th to 70th percentile). These students at times have not received the preparation necessary to succeed in post-secondary programs, and they often may be the first in their family to attend college. At the same time, the Early College program adds the courses necessary for students in Advanced Placement and College in the Schools programs to earn an associate degree.
Through an agreement with Anoka-Ramsey Community College, students take Early College courses at Irondale or Mounds View during the regular school day from credentialed District teachers who have partnered with an Anoka-Ramsey Community College faculty mentor. There are occasional opportunities for students to visit the Anoka-Ramsey Community College campus to participate in Early College campus activities.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College
Irondale High School
Mounds View High School
Working with their dean, Irondale and Mounds View students develop a four year academic plan that includes options for taking classes that allow them to earn college credits.
Majority in the Middle
For students in the academic middle, the Early College program will provide the necessary foundation and support to benefit from college credit-earning opportunities as well. Students who do not meet college-readiness indicators from standardized assessments may be identified for additional foundation classes and college seminar courses to help prepare them for the rigor of college courses. This will provide them with the skills they need for success beyond high school in whatever post-high school career path they choose, including two-year colleges, four-year colleges, and/or certificate programs, internships or military.
Highest Achievers
Students who currently benefit from Honors, Advanced, College in the Schools, Advanced Placement(AP) and Concurrent Enrollment classes typically rank in the top third of their class. These students will continue to have those rigorous opportunities and will have the additional option of choosing to take specific college credit-earning courses that would meet requirements of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum and/or an associate degree. Mounds View Public Schools is the first school district in the state to offer comprehensive early college high school programs allowing students the opportunity to earn a two-year associate degree for free -- all while still enrolled in high school.
All Anoka-Ramsey Community College Concurrent Enrollment Program courses are taught by credentialed High School Partner Teachers.
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