Early College graduates “are more likely to graduate
from high school and are more likely to enroll in
college right after graduation than the average high
school student. And those who enroll in postsecondary
institutions are more likely to attend four-year colleges
which, in turn, increases their likelihood of
college completion.”
The EARLY COLLEGE
Philosophy
For every 100 low-income students who start high school, only 65 earn a high school diploma and only 45 will enroll in college. Only 11 will complete a postsecondary degree. High school graduates from poor families who score in the top testing quartile are no more likely than their lowest-scoring, affluent peers to attend college. The former enroll at rates of 78%; the latter at 77%.
The Early College model helps address these dismal numbers. It is centered on developing the opportunity to: • increase high school graduation rates and
post-secondary entrance and completion rates, • remove major barriers to post-secondary
access, and
• ease the transition from high school to college.
Students who graduate from
Early College high schools are more
likely to proceed to college than their peers.
According to Jobs for the Future, Early College high schools have a
significantly higher graduation rate than the national average.
Four year degree 72% Two year degree 12% Technical degree 8% Military 4% Employment4%
Seeded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the success of these growing Early College programs is undeniable. According to Jobs for the Future, Early College high schools have a significantly higher graduation rate than the national average. The 2010-11 Early College four-year graduation rate across the country was approximately 93% compared to the national high school average graduation rate of 72%. VU’s Early Colleges share in this success; notably, Ben Davis University High School graduated 100 % of its students in 2011, 2012, and 2013.
Students who graduate from Early College high schools
are also more likely to proceed to college than their peers. For example, 78% of the 2010 Early College graduates enrolled in college in the fall of their graduation year compared to 66% nationally. VU’s Early College students further demonstrate this accomplishment with 88% of their students proceeding to post secondary institutions. In 2012, this rate increased to 92%. The success of these early college programs, including VU’s Early Colleges, is especially noteworthy when considering the student population served: low-income youth, first-generation college goers, English language learners, students of color, and young people underrepresented in higher education. 88% 78% 66% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
VU Early College % Early College National % High School National % Percentage of 2010 Graduates Enrolling in College
Immediately After High School
1 JFF analysis of 1988-2000 data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study for students from the lowest-income SES quintile retrieved August 2013 from www.earlycolleges.com. 2 Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance 2001 retrieved August 2013 from www.earlycolleges.com
1
2
1 JFF analysis of 1988-2000 data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study for students from the lowest-income SES quintile retrieved August 2013 from www.earlycolleges.com. 2 Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance 2001 retrieved August 2013 from www.earlycolleges.com
Vincennes University’s Early College students earned over 13,000 credit hours during the 2011-2012 academic year. Since 2007, over 200 associate degrees have been earned by VU’s Early College students.
Early College high schools save considerable costs for the State of Indiana and students. Studies indicate that Early Colleges are a cost-effective way for states to improve college completion. In addition to decreased textbook costs, Early College students attain transferable credit at a fraction of the cost they would have paid at traditional public colleges
in Indiana.
Most importantly,
students leave Early College programs with no debt.
Students attending VU’s Early College high schools are dramatically
reducing the demand on the State of Indiana’s SSACI program. By serving substantial numbers of students who would have been eligible for financial aid, VU’s Early Colleges are saving Indiana significant costs.
The EARLY COLLEGE
Advantage
Based on current data,
the projected savings for
each Early College student
completing 60 credit hours
would be over $13,500
per student.
Early College is saving us a lot of money. I will be going to Indiana State University next year and almost all of my credits are transferring there.
It really helped me see what kind of college work I could do and what kind of college work I was interested in doing. With all the different classes I took, it really helped me decide on which college to go to.
Rachel Daniel, Class of 2012
The VU EARLY COLLEGE Models
Stand-alone Early College
Ben Davis University and East Allen University are stand-alone Early College high schools in which the school corporation offers the Early College program at a site separate from the current high school. To house their early college program, MSD of Wayne Township elected to renovate a former junior high school building located on the west side of Indianapolis. Likewise, East Allen School Corporation converted an empty high school building in southeast Ft. Wayne into an early college campus. The stand-alone high schools represent small-school versus large-school environments where students are well known by their peers and their instructors. At the Early College high school campuses, BDU and EAU scholars earn a Core 40 high school diploma while also earning college credits toward an associate degree from VU through structured dual credit opportunities. Students electing to attend either BDU or EAU are no longer eligible to participate in extra-curricular activities at their former school. Instead, they choose to place their focus on academic success and participate in extra-curricular activities offered on the
Early College campus.
School Within a School
Center Grove Early College, on the south side of Indianapolis, represents the school-within-a-school Early College model. In order to offer
an early college curriculum to their high school students, the Center Grove School Corporation elected to dedicate a wing of the large high
school building to serve as the site for the early college program. Essentially, CGEC is a college campus in a high school. Students are given the opportunity to earn an associate degree from VU while concurrently completing the Core 40 high school diploma. The small learning community of the school-within-a-school model increases collaboration between faculty and leads to increased accountability and
attention to students. The Early College students enter as freshmen with a group of over 100 other students. They spend the majority of their time within the one wing of the building and repeatedly interact with the same faculty members and cohort of peers. Unlike the
stand-While the goals and rigor are consistent, the structure of the Early College model can be customized to the needs of a school corporation and its students. Currently, Vincennes University models include two
stand-alone high schools, one school within a school, two conversion high schools, and two career centers.
The VU EARLY COLLEGE Models
alone model, Early College scholars at CGEC participate in extra-curricular activities associated with Center Grove High School as time allows. CGEC benefits include regular high school classes in their freshmen and sophomore years, plus study skills and computer training. As a junior and senior, students take up to a full load of college classes. Like other early colleges throughout the country, CGEC accelerates readiness, success, and completion through challenging,
college-credit coursework in a personalized environment with a network of staff, family, and community support.
Conversion
High School
Two Indiana high schools have formed an early college program by converting the entire high school to an Early College. Washington High School in rural southwest Indiana and Lawrenceburg High School in southeast Indiana are examples of the conversion high school Early College model. Both institutions are small high schools that saw the value in offering the Early College curriculum. All students at Washington and Lawrenceburg Early Colleges are allowed to participate in the program if they are academically on grade level and wish to get ahead start on their college degree.
.
Area Career Center of Hammond
East Allen University Early College
Lawrenceburg Early College
Lawrenceburg Early College Area Career
Center of Hammond
East Allen University Early College
Area 31 Career Center
Area 31 Career Center
Ben Davis University High School
Ben Davis University High School
Early College at Center Grove
Early College at Center Grove
Washington Early College
Washington Early College Gary South Bend Lafayette Terre Haute Bloomington Columbus Ft. Wayne Muncie Richmond New Albany Evansville Indianapolis Gary South Bend Lafayette Terre Haute Bloomington Columbus Ft. Wayne Muncie Richmond New Albany Evansville Indianapolis
The exciting thing is that I have actually earned over a year of college credit now and I’ll be starting college next year so I’ll be basically a year ahead. And that will actually allow me to take more classes that I want to take instead of taking all of my required classes.
With Early College you get a little bit more independence...you get to do what you want to and you will not really have somebody telling you what to do all the time. But the people that work for the Early College program...they’re great people. They help you succeed.
Larry Esquivel, Class of 2012
Both Washington and Lawrenceburg School Corporations believe that giving students the opportunity to earn college credit will not only motivate students to complete high school, but also move them toward earning a postsecondary education after high school. Early college scholars at conversion schools participate in
extra-curricular activities associated with their school as time allows.
The EARLY COLLEGE
Career/Technical Model
Indiana remains among the most manufacturing -intensive states in the nation, accounting for the highest percentage of total Hoosier jobs. The advanced manufacturing industry is vital to the state’s economic future, and Indiana must have skilled workforce prepared to fill these high-tech positions. Additionally, Vincennes University must foster the skill sets of high school students whose goals may not include bachelor’s degrees but rather wish to quickly acquire an industry-recognized certificate, certification, or A.S. degree that will provide
them with the pathway to immediate job opportunities.
To address this need, VU has launched two Career and Technical Early Colleges to fill the gap for Indiana employers and students. The Hammond Area Career Center Early College and the Career Academy University in Indianapolis are Early College partnerships designed to provide high school students with the opportunity to earn an A.S. degree, or make significant progress toward a degree, in one of the many career and technical areas that Vincennes University offers. These unique partnerships will promote A.S. degree completion in areas such as Advanced CNC Manufacturing, Computer-Integrated Manufacturing & Robotics, Precision Manufacturing, Product Design and Production Processes, and Welding Technology.
Indiana remains among one of the
most manufacturing intensive states in
the nation, accounting for the highest
percentage of total Hoosier jobs.
Students will graduate from high school with an honors diploma, industry certification, and a Vincennes Unviersity degree, leading to a high wage/high
demand occupation.
Ron Hoke, Director of Career & Technical Education, Director of Adult Education, MSD of Wayne Township,
The EARLY COLLEGE
On-Campus Experience
X-mester, a two-week, on-campus experience, is a unique component to Vincennes University’s Early College programs. Designed for students who have completed their junior year of high school, X-mester simulates the first year on a college campus. Students live in a residence halls and have access to all of the amenities of campus while taking accelerated coursework. The program integrates academic success, independent learning, and leadership skills building through rigor, extra-curricular experiences, and residential life.
X-mester is a milestone for VU Early College students, especially those who may be the first in their family to attend college. The campus experience is a structured and supportive environment where students learn how to function independently and discover what it takes to be a successful college student. The program is supported by the addition of X-mester fellows, graduate-level students from across the nation who serve as teaching assistants to the VU professors and mentors of the high school scholars.
This rich experience is offered at a fraction of the typical cost of other summer on-campus experiences.
Unlike most residential programs, X-mester allows students to earn actual college credit for much less than what many colleges and universities charge for non-credit programming. Additionally, tuition scholarships are available for free and reduced eligible students.
The Summer Residential Experience “X-mester”
The X-Mester program provides students with an on-campus experience which gives them the opportunity to interact with faculty and staff. They develop real-life skills and work-force skills in addition to new academic study skills. The better prepared students are for the college experience, the greater their chances for achieving academic success.
About VINCENNES UNIVERSITY
Vincennes University
was founded in 1801 by William Henry Harrison, the Governor of the Indiana territory - who went on to become the ninth President of the United States. The University has grown from a humble one-room school to a beautiful 160-acre campus.
Higher Learning,
Lower Cost
Indiana’s FIRST college is also a key asset for the community. VU provides many opportunities to enjoy the arts, athletics, and all of the
amenities that contribute to the total collegiate atmosphere for which the University is known.
Attracting thousands of visitors annually, the campus is always improving, as illustrated by the recent projects that include a new VU Art Center as well as major renovations of Morris Residence Hall, Vanderburgh Residence Hall, the five-story Technology Center, and Welsh Administration Building. VU also dedicated the new Jerry Blemker Baseball
Field on the northeast side of the city.
A Community Resource
Vincennes University provides accessible, quality learning
experiences while remaining the most affordable residential college in the state. VU keeps class sizes small, puts technology at students’ fingertips,
and offers over 200 programs that lead to well paying careers. Baccalaureate and associate degrees, plus professional certificates are available.
