NORTH EAST, MD — Cecil College is commemorating the remarkable tenth anniversary of its acclaimed Early College Academy, a transformative program that propels high school students towards success by granting them an Associate Degree in General Studies just before they receive their high school diplomas. Among the stars of this year’s commencement are eight exceptional students from the Oxford Area School District in Chester County, Pennsylvania, who will stride across the Cecil College stage to claim their well-earned degrees. The names Sabrina Alioto, Kirstin Arnold, Mason Fetterolf, Maya Harris, Emilie Harrison, Emilee Jumper, Vivian Kearney, and Kendall Tower resonate with achievement and dedication.
A decade ago, Cecil College embarked on a forward-thinking journey to elevate educational opportunities for secondary students through the creation of the pioneering Early College Academy (ECA). By welcoming academically adept students entering ninth grade, the ECA has become a springboard for academic growth and development. These students dive into their academic voyage as freshmen, immersing themselves in introductory college courses and engaging in academic success seminars for their initial two years. Progressing further, they embrace the challenge of higher-level studies in their chosen majors on the North East Campus during their junior and senior years, ultimately culminating in the coveted completion of an associate of arts degree. This journey stands as a testament to their personal evolution and scholastic excellence.
Cecil College has stood at the forefront of a national wave promoting concurrent high school and community college learning, a trend more commonly observed in Midwestern and Southern states. The Early College Academy emerges as a transformative pathway, streamlining the higher education process to reduce costs and equip students with vital skills at an earlier age. This program offers a myriad of opportunities and benefits, preparing students for the challenges of college life with grace and confidence.
As high schools in at least ten states now mandate the offering of college credit opportunities to students, the impact of programs like ECA continues to reverberate. Academic studies consistently highlight the superior performance of dual-enrollment students, both in high school and college, underscoring the efficacy of such initiatives. Graduates of Cecil College’s ECA have seamlessly transitioned to esteemed four-year colleges and universities across the nation, symbolizing the program’s enduring legacy of academic excellence.
The success stories emerging from Cecil College’s Early College Academy serve as beacons of inspiration and achievement, illuminating the path toward a brighter future for students seeking to realize their academic dreams with determination and zeal.
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