Early College Program Starts for Blazer Students | ACTC

    Early College Program Starts for Blazer Students

    Ashland Independent Schools and ACTC are initiating a new venture to give some Paul G. Blazer High School students a step up toward their college careers.

    Beginning this August selected Blazer High School students will start Early College classes at ACTC in two curricular pathways: pre-nursing and pre-engineering. The students will spend their mornings at Blazer High School and their afternoons at ACTC. During the academic year, the students will complete 14 to 19 college credits in their chosen pathway.

    The classes will be taught by ACTC faculty in special sections set up for the high school students. Pre-nursing classes are Human Anatomy amp; Physiology I and II, Medical Terminology and Nursing Assistant Skills. Pre engineering classes are General College Chemistry I and II, Calculus I and II, and Introduction to Engineering.

    Students will be selected by Blazer counselors based on their college readiness, interest in the pathway and ability to meet course requirements. Students interested in participating should contact their high school counselor for more information. Up to 30 qualified students may participate in each pathway.

    ACTC will have Early College orientation and registration in August, and classes will start August 19. Students will be responsible for tuition and books, and partial scholarships may be available.

    This pilot program is one of the ways we are seeking to increase higher education options for students and provide a smooth transition into college, said Dr. Kay Adkins, ACTC President amp; CEO.

    We are pleased to be working with the Ashland School System on this project, and we hope to expand Early College opportunities throughout the area.

    We have been working with ACTC for several years to come up with an Early College program, saidSteve Gilmore, Superintendent of the Ashland Independent School System. In a survey of seniors, pre-nursing and pre-engineering were at the top of the desired career list, and Early College will help them earn college credit in those fields.