High school students can earn college credits

The education sector has stepped up anew efforts to speed up the education process through a program that enables secondary-level students to simultaneously earn both high school and college credits.

Public high school students can have the best of both worlds under the Public School System and Northern Marianas College-contrived project the “2 + 2 Program” where both institutions agreed under a signed memorandum of understanding to provide more academic options for high school students eager to start their postsecondary learning earlier than usual.

NMC Early Admissions Counselor Daisy Mae C. Villagomez-Bier yesterday said the program is ideal for committed students who are interested to breeze through their high school and college careers in a lesser period of time.

“This is an opportunity for students to get a feel of what college life is like even if they are still in high school,” said Ms. Bier.

By going to NMC, high school students will also have the chance to interact with college instructors and other students which will hopefully assist them make informed decisions about college.

To enroll in the program students must attend a public high school with a minimum cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0, a minimum of 12 high school credits, and a recommendation from his/her high school counselor or teacher.

“We work very closely with high school counselors to make sure that the student has a balanced work load both as a full time high school student and part-time college student. Our main goal is really to help students succeed,” said Ms. Bier.

Students are allowed to take no more than two college courses per semester under the “2 + 2 Program” or depending upon the counselor’s recommendation for the student.

The counselor said students who normally enroll under the program are highly-motivated and academically talented to cope with the rigors of an added load of academic demands.

“Most of our students under this program are self-motivated and they are committed to obtain a high school diploma early so they can continue with their postsecondary education,” she said.

Available courses under the “2 + 2 Program” include developmental Math and English and other electives such as construction trades, basic masonry, agriculture, to name few.

Course fees for program participants are offered at a much cheaper rate than regular NMC students, according to Ms. Bier. The fee per credit is at a reduce rate of $25 compared to $65 for non-“2 + 2 Program” students.

PSS and NMC established an agreement to administer the program when the institutions signed the MOU last August 1, 1997.

Under the MOU, both agencies agreed to be equal partners in efforts to foster growth and development of students by offering courses in Vocational Education, Technical Trades, Professional courses, and relevant academic areas.