NEW PALESTINE — Some students at New Palestine High School picked up a college degree for the Class of 2021 before they even earned their high school diploma after taking part in the school district’s Early College Program.
Twenty-one students earned associate degrees this year, and 17 others are graduating with an Indiana College Core Certificate, equivalent to one year of college courses. Eleven others earned up to 41 college credits.
The NPHS Class of 2021 earned more than 2,900 college credit hours and saved more than $1 million when compared to traditional college through the Early College Program, Principal Jim Voelz said. The students in the program were recognized during a special ceremony at the high school late last week.
This is the second year a cohort has graduated from the NPHS Early College Program, which starts students off during junior high gearing them toward classes where they can earn college credit or an associate degree.
The program is designed to help students graduate from high school with an associate degree in business management or at least with many college credits for a cost of $25 per credit hour. The program started in 2016 at NPHS with the incoming freshman class. The students who take part each year will take placement tests and receive tutoring to help ensure their success.
“Our partners at Vincennes University and the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning at the University of Indianapolis have helped us create an incredible program and resources for Southern Hancock students,” Superintendent Lisa Lantrip said.
She noted the district is proud of the students and staff for their hard work.
“This is a great achievement, and we are happy to share in our students’ successes,” Lantrip said.
Last year, the students taking part in the program — the first-ever cohort of 61 students in the Class of 2020 — earned 2,300 college credit hours. Fifteen students earned an associate degree; 24 students earned up to 30 college credits; nine students earned from 30 to 60 college credits; and 20 students earned their State Transfer General Education Certificate, ensuring any publicly funded university will apply all 30 of their credits to a college degree.
Based on the average cost per credit hour in Indiana — including residential, tuition and other additional fees and costs — the class of 2020 saved more than $1 million in college costs. Students in the program can transfer their credits to schools including Indiana University, Purdue University, Ball State University, Butler University, Michigan State University, the University of Toledo and the University of Indianapolis.
“Our strong partnership with Vincennes University has really helped develop and boost our program, as well as the hard work and dedication of our credentialed dual credit teachers,” Voelz said.
The early college program does not eliminate the district’s advanced placement classes. Dual credit and AP classes offer many choices for all students but are not focused in one direction. All high school students may sign up for any class since they are qualified, but students involved in the Early College program will have access to tutoring through Vincennes University.
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More information information about the Early College Program at New Palestine High School is available on the Southern Hancock schools website: newpal.k12.in.us.
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Early College Program graduates earning college credits and an associate degree while still at New Palestine High School:
Branden Bastin – 64 credits
Mary Bolton – 61
Fabian Brown – 67
Colin Carter – 64
Gary DeRome – 67
Alyssa Doran – 64
Nolan Espich – 64
Emma Everhart – 64
Kaiana Fenwick – 61
Lillian Fielding – 64
Ava Garrett – 64
Kaitlynn Jones – 64
Kaiden Kirkwood – 67
Charles Law – 67
Hope Long – 63
Benjamin Manning – 67
Richard Reiss – 61
Madeline Rojowski – 70
Jacob Snider – 61
Emily Weaver – 64
Seth Young – 64
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