White Mountains Community College News
Community Colleges Double the Number of Online Courses Offered to High School Students
Governor Lynch, College System Officials praise program that enables students to earn concurrent high school and college credits online
The Community College System of New Hampshire is more than doubling the number of online courses high school students can take to earn concurrent college and high school credit. Students can choose from thirteen college courses in the semester that begins on January 12, 2009. Registration opened November 1 and can be accessed at www.vlacs.org.
The program, eStart, is an extension of CCSNH's popular and successful Running Start program, a partnership between participating high schools and the community colleges that allows high school students to take college-level classes in their high schools at a reduced rate of only $100 per course. Credits earned through eStart are granted by New Hampshire's community colleges as well as other colleges and universities, in and out of New Hampshire.
Students taking courses through eStart earn both high school and college credit. eStart is a collaboration between the college system and the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS), a fully approved online high school based in Exeter, NH. Tuition for each eStart course is $100, plus the cost of books. The courses are taught by college faculty, using the college grading system.
"With eStart, we're giving high school students a jump on their college education in an on-line format, providing yet another option as students in high school chart an affordable course to a college degree," said CCSNH Chancellor Dr. Richard Gustafson.
"eStart has provided even greater access to college level classes and builds on the important work begun by Project Running Start. With the expansion of eStart, we are opening the door to college for more and more New Hampshire young people," Gov. John Lynch said.
Gustafson noted that eStart further extends the online availability of New Hampshire's community colleges, which offer nearly 200 courses in a 100% online format.
Starting in January, high school students can take the following college courses on-line through eStart:- Introduction to Business offered by Great Bay Community College
- Art History I offered by Great Bay Community College
- American Government offered by Manchester Community College
- Principles of Marketing offered by Nashua Community College
- Psychology offered by White Mountains Community College
- Introduction to Literature offered by NHTI, Concord’s Community College
- Software Applications offered by Lakes Region Community College
- Biology I offered by Great Bay Community College
- Calculus I offered by NHTI, Concord's Community College
- College Composition offered by River Valley Community College
- Foundations of Education offered by White Mountains Community College
- Medical Terminology offered by NHTI, Concord’s Community College
- Statistics offered by NHTI, Concord’s Community College
High school students interested in taking an eStart course can start by enrolling on the VLACS website at www.vlacs.org.
"We're very excited about the eStart program and the partnership with CCSNH. We believe that the courses offered through this program will become very popular with high school students in New Hampshire, and more importantly, will provide all high school students with access to rigorous college level instruction," said Steve Kossakoski, CEO of the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School.
Back to News List11/3/2008
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