The Highland Community College Board of Trustees has approved an agreement with Eastland High School to be among 11 area high schools to participate in the CollegeNOW program. The program allows high school students to take college-level classes to earn both a high school diploma from their school and an Associate’s Degree from Highland simultaneously.
At the November board meeting, trustees approved the agreement with Eastland and continued the agreement with Aquin Catholic High School, Forreston High School and Freeport High School for the 2020-2021 academic school year. Other participating schools are Dakota, Durand, Lena-Winslow, Orangeville, Pecatonica, Pearl City, and Warren.
“CollegeNOW is a great program for students who want to challenge themselves and get ahead start on their college academics,” said Vicki Schulz, Highland student advisor. “The program gives the students a chance to take on rigorous courses in math and science so that they are well prepared to transfer to the four-year university.”
The CollegeNOW program at Highland provides students with an opportunity to enroll in college-level courses full-time while earning dual credit toward a high school diploma and an associate’s degree. The program has grown from one participating high school in the Fall Semester of 2012 to 11 participating high schools for the fall semester of 2020. The first class graduated in May 2014. Around 34 high school students from the College’s district take advantage of this opportunity.
For more information on CollegeNOW, contact Vicki Schulz at vicki.schulz@highland.edu or call 815-599-3664.