What is an Early College Program?
In general, an early college program is a system designed to allow high school students to be enrolled in both high school and college at the same time. It is a program that allows a student to begin transitioning to college earlier than is traditionally possible.
What is the Northwood Early College Scholars Program?
The Northwood Early College Scholars Program (ECSP) is designed to ease the transition from high school to college for our students. The program is designed to allow students to begin taking generally required college courses in high school. This enables them to begin taking more advanced classes than is generally available to first semester freshman. By starting the program in their junior years, students have the ability to earn an additional 18 college credits before graduating from Northwood; 9 credits if they begin in their senior year. Courses taken at Montgomery College are transferable to colleges and universities across the county. Registration for classes in the program begins with verification of transferability. In other words, if the class doesn’t transfer to a college such as the University of Maryland, College Park, then the student is encouraged to choose one that is.
Benefits of an Early College Program
- Traditionally, college applications require colleges to base their admission decision on an “educated guess” as to whether or not a student will be successful in their institution based on their previous success in high school. This program allows eligible students to BE successful in college while still at Northwood High School. They are then able to provide PROOF of success to the colleges and universities in the form of a transcript directly from Montgomery College.
- Traditionally, High School seniors had no access to college coursework beyond an AP course. Early college programs in general provide access to actual college coursework taught by actual college professors.
- Eligible students may be able to continue advanced course work beyond that which can be offered within the high school.
Benefits of Northwood’s Early College Scholars Program (ECSP)
- The ECSP allows students to experience the full college environment by taking classes on campus with other college students.
- ECSP students are not known to other traditional college students allowing them to experience the campus socially, as well as academically, as a college student rather than experiencing only college level coursework as in an Advanced Placement course.
- ECSP students are treated by the college as college students for all purposes including special education support, textbooks, transportation, health services, student activities, etc.
Can Your Student Answer "Yes" to ALL of These Questions?
- Current Juniors: Have you completed all graduation requirements with the exception of English 12 and maybe one other course? Current Sophomores: Are you taking AP English next year?
- Do you have a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.75 or higher for current Juniors, and 3.0 for current Sophomores?
- Have you successfully completed at least two consecutive years of the same foreign language, or are registered to do so next year?
- Have you successfully completed or are currently enrolled in an Honors English, Math, Science, and/or Social Studies course?”
*If you said yes to each and every question, then you may be eligible to apply for the program.
* Meeting all the minimum requirements for application does in no way guarantee acceptance into or final success in the program.
What Will Be Required of Me to Participate in the Program?
You (and/or your parents) will be required to:
- Complete all application forms for Montgomery College.
- Complete ALL scholarship applications regardless of perceived need or eligibility.
- Continue to succeed in your courses at Northwood this year and while in the program (get As and Bs).
- Register for and take the May administration of the SAT test at your own expense.
- Take the Montgomery College ACCUPLACER test as scheduled in April, May, or June (Date TBA).
- Optional: Participate in the ACCUPLACER Support Program. See Mr. Sullivan or Ms. Freidman for details. This test determines final acceptance into the program. Take advantage of the support program provide to help ensure your success.
- Complete ALL requirements for graduation here at Northwood.
- It is RECOMMENDED that students also continue to take a math course here at Northwood as it is recommended by many colleges and universities.
- Pay all tuition and fees associated with Montgomery College and/or the University of Maryland, unless approved for and receiving a scholarship..
What Does This Mean to Me?
If you are able to answer yes to all of the questions above, then you MAY be eligible for the ECSP. You should now:
- Complete ALL of the required forms under “Application Links” to the left. Complete all forms Montgomery College.
- DO NOT:
- Request a transcript. This is done internally at Northwood.
- Include a check for the application fee. This fee is waived for Early College Applicants.
- Review all forms for accuracy.
- Turn in to the Main Office for Mr. Sullivan no later than2:30 p.m., December 21, 2011
- Continue to succeed in all classes as ALL grades for this year will be reviewed prior to registration at MC.
I’ve Turned Everything In. When Will I Find Out the Answer?
Applications are reviewed and approved here at Northwood, then forwarded on to Montgomery College. Final decisions are made by Montgomery College, and are dependent on ACCUPLACER/SAT test scores. Letters are mailed prior to about May 1st.
Tuition and Fees
Montgomery College
Total including fees (no books) for 3-credit hours per semester currently is $430. Need-based Scholarships ARE available.
Textbooks and Class Materials
Unless awarded a scholarship, students and parents are responsible for all textbooks required by the class in which the student is enrolled. None will be provided by Northwood or MCPS.
Transportation
Students and parents are responsible for all transportation to and from the University or Montgomery College. Neither Northwood High School nor MCPS provide transportation.
Montgomery College
Montgomery College ID provides free bus transportation on Ride On buses
Special Education Services within the Program
All students are considered to be a student of the institution in which they enroll. Students receiving special education services here at Northwood may or may not receive those accommodations at the University or College. It is the responsibility of the parent(s)/guardian(s) to contact the institution AFTER final acceptance into the program to determine the institution's policy concerning special education services.
Financial Information
All students are considered to be a student of the institution in which they enroll. They are, therefore, subject to all penalties and benefits as such at their respective institutions. Example: students are entitled to a partial refund if they withdraw from a course after certain dates, as determined by Montgomery College. Students receiving a scholarship are responsible for repayment of that scholarship should the student withdraw or fail the course according to the Montgomery College's standard policy