Early College & High School Alternatives for Teens

Would you like the chance to...

Design your own schedule?

Let go of teen drama?

Get more rest?

Have more time to pursue your interests beyond school?

Finish college with less debt?

Work a part-time job?

... AND BE BETTER PREPARED FOR COLLEGE?

Most teens that attend Early College report that they feel more motivated and purposeful. Taking college classes in high school or attending community college rather than traditional high school provides them with more classes to choose from and the ability to take them at whatever time of day they prefer. Some teens choose to schedule classes that start mid-morning or early afternoon so they can sleep in. As a result, they are more rested and motivated throughout the day.

Other teens are thrilled to attend community college because the teen drama they experienced in high school does not exist on community college campuses. They also report a sense of relief knowing that they can graduate college with less student loan debt. And, when their peers are graduating from traditional high school, many Early College teens have often completed a year of college, or even a two-year Associate Degree in high school!

Are You Feeling...

Anxious?

Unmotivated?

Powerless?

Bored?

Exhausted?

Overwhelmed?

Anxious

Bored?

Unmotivated?

Exhausted?

Powerless?

Overwhelmed?

Do you want to feel...

Competent?

Flexible?

More Creative?

In the driver's seat?

Have you heard these messages?

"We know high school sucks but it’s what you have to do."

"Okay, you’re socially stressed but you need to learn to handle it!"

"If you don’t get your act together, you won’t succeed!"

Other teens have found inspiration and hope in Early College.

You can create a customized approach to your education. Early College can reduce stress and anxiety that results from the social drama of traditional high school. If you feel bored or unmotivated, you need a new path. Community College can allow you to make positive progress in your life. Experience renewed interest in your own education!

What Teens Are Saying About Early College

"Because I was on a community college campus, I knew people so well and met other students with similar values as me. We were able to create clubs and be very involved on campus. When I was applying to selective private colleges it reflected very positively on me."

Isabelle V.

Student

“People in H.S. don't want to be there, and I would have struggled with that. I loved making my own schedule in Community College. It was amazing to just take classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays and have more free time for other stuff, like rowing. It taught me how to deal with freedom and manage my time.”

Sam P.

Student

“I started doing Early College because I wanted a different learning environment. I was stuck in a cookie-cutter education scenario. I have loved Early College and I have a ton of transferable credit and it has saved me a ton of money.”

Daysia J.

Student

“Lots of H.S. students were having the same experience I had. As soon as you know there is a different path, your feelings of hopelessness change. You rise to take accountability of your education.”

Emily M.

Student

“It's very motivating to be 14 or 15 as an Early College student and to have the school make it clear that they won't just throw you in alone. They will completely support you along the way.”

Raul G.

Student

“It was awesome. I fit in. You can be who you want to be and no one will judge you. It was great to get out of the toxic high school environment. Very eye-opening.”

Emily N.

Student

Have Questions?

We Have Answers.

Nope! You can go to college without a high school diploma. All you need to attend community college is the ability to fill out an application and go through the placement process so you know what courses to take. Teens as young as 14 are taking community college classes. You can work on a high school diploma or GED at the same time as an associate degree, or even skip the high school diploma/GED all together!

It’s hard work being a teenager. High school can make it even harder, because it’s a standardized system designed for the average student. You’re not average! The things that make you unique - your personality, your learning style - can be the same things that make high school feel miserable. If that’s you, you’re not alone. The system isn’t serving you very well, and that means it’s time to try something new.

It’s good to know other teens. But it’s also weird to only be grouped with other people your exact same age. That isn’t how the world works. Social experiences come from meeting people of different ages and backgrounds than you. Do you ever feel pressured to be/act/look like everyone else, at school or on social media? Community college can free you from that pressure, because your classrooms will be much more diverse and students aren’t trying to “fit in”.

You might feel worried about being “smart enough” for college. But the truth is, community college was designed to be accessible to everyone. There are multiple levels in courses like writing and math, so you can start at the right level for you and work your way up. Maybe you ARE gifted in one area, but don’t feel so hot in another - no problem! The flexibility in community college is just right for you. It is one of the BEST high school alternatives.

Maybe you take a term or two of college classes and decide that it isn’t for you. That’s okay. The great thing about earning college credits is that they can come with you wherever you go. The classes you completed can be transferred back to your high school to count for subjects such as english, math, or science. And because college credits are usually worth more than high school credits, you won’t be behind.

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