H.S. students can earn 20
college credits

EAST BRUNSWICK — Starting next school year, seniors can begin their college experience without leaving the high school.

That’s due to East Brunswick’s new College Experience Program where seniors can take courses that, in addition to providing high school credits, will give them college credits. Students will be able to earn up to 20 college credits, according to a news release from the school district.

Among the courses that will be offered as part of the program are English Composition I and II, Calculus, Statistics, Introduction to Business/Data Processing, and possibly Accounting I and II, the release stated.

"It will give them high school credits as well as college credits on a Middlesex County College transcript," said Patricia LaDuca, the district’s spokeswoman.

Whatever colleges accept course credits from Middlesex County College will also accept them from the program, she said.

The courses will cost parents $100 each, according to the release. East Brunswick High school will use its current staff to teach the courses, she said.

There were a few reasons for the program, LaDuca said.

One is that the state is encouraging districts to offer college courses and credits. Another reason is to make sure seniors keep working after they have been accepted to a college.

"One reason is because senior year is kind of anticlimactic," she said. "Once college applications are in, maybe kids feel high school is not important anymore.

"This is to get them to put some value on the classes they take, and get them started on the college experience," she continued. "This would get them inspired because they are required to pass it and pay $100."

The Board of Education approved the program at its Dec. 11 meeting. Student representative Blake Siegal said students are excited about the program.

In order to meet the college’s criteria, the courses will be taught only by teachers who have master’s degrees, LaDuca said.

Some of the courses are already offered by the high school.

— Vincent Todaro