29 9th grade scholars earned their first three college credits from Marist College this spring. Earlier this year, the Newburgh Enlarged City School District, in partnership with Marist College launched the NECSD Marist Early College High School Program (ECHS). The program connects the resources of the district to the expertise of Marist College’s School of Computer Science and Mathematics to equip 120 high school graduates over four years with a Regents diploma and a minimum of 26 college credits toward a degree in computer science. The grant is from the State Education Department as part of their Smart Scholars Early College High School Programs.

Each cohort will create an individual education plan with the help of administrators, faculty, counselors, mentors and parents that focuses on readiness for college and career. ECHS students may be able to matriculate to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program without the need for remedial classes and could leave the program two full semesters ahead.

The scholars recently completed their first course of the program, Digital Citizenship, with Ms. Elizabeth Thomas-Cappello. Classes for the first course were held at Newburgh Free Academy Main Campus. Summer classes will be held at Marist.