Free associate's degrees coming for some Phila. H.S. students
Some city students will soon be able to earn associate's degrees along with their high school diplomas, as the Philadelphia School District launches its first middle college high school.
Some city students will soon be able to earn associate's degrees along with their high school diplomas, as the Philadelphia School District launches its first middle college high school.
Beginning in September, 125 students at Parkway Center City will take courses at that high school as well as at Community College of Philadelphia.
The program is aimed at teens who would become the first in their families to attend college.
Students will have the opportunity to earn up to 61 college credits by the time they graduate from high school - enough for an associate's degree. They can also earn certificates in entrepreneurship and in computer programming and software development.
Families will pay nothing for the courses or students' books and materials; the school system projects it will spend $3.3 million over four years.
Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. has wanted to bring a middle college to Philadelphia since he arrived in 2012; he previously launched one in Prince George's County, Md.
"This is an important step," Hite said Wednesday. "Middle college provides a unique opportunity to provide children with access to a very different type of learning opportunity."
Any city student with strong grades, a good behavior record, and strong standardized test scores may apply for admission to the program. Candidates must sit for an interview and agree to attend a summer program prior to their freshman year.
Hite said the district is looking for a program "that's representative of the diverse populations we serve," both racially and geographically.
Students will be chosen by lottery, and the district aims to fill the first class with first-generation college students.
Current students at Parkway Center City, on North 13th Street, not far from Community College, will finish their diplomas in the existing non-middle college program. Going forward, the school will be made up of all middle college students, and will eventually change its name to Parkway Center City Middle College High School.
Hite said the Prince George's program just graduated its first class, 98 percent of whom earned associate's degrees.
The district partnered with a number of schools and organizations to plan for the middle college high school, Hite said, zeroing in on the program of study, supports students will need, and how classes should be structured.
In Maryland, the middle college school is focused on health-care careers. In Philadelphia, the focus will be on computer programming and entrepreneurship, a reflection in students' interests and the job market.
The school system is in relatively good financial shape now, but projects a $583 million deficit by 2021.
Still, "we think the outcome is worth the investment in this," the superintendent said. "We're trying to ensure that children have access to evidence-based programs."
That students will earn 60-plus college credits for free, and meaningful industry certifications is important to Hite, especially given the district's need to focus on improving high school options and outcomes, he said.
"This is a program that provides children with real opportunities," Hite said, noting that Parkway Center City could be the first of many college high schools.
Officials will keep a close eye on the program, he said.
An open house for prospective program students is scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday at Parkway Center City, 540 N. 13th St.
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