Assabet students studying computer programming will soon be able to earn college credit as Northeastern students.
Photo credit: Bret Matthew

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — Assabet Regional Technical High School recently announced that it will be participating in The Academy For College Excellence, a program to prepare vocational students for college careers, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

The program is a collaborative between the Northeastern University College of Professional Studies and the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA). The goal is to have high school education transition seamlessly into the university level so students will be able to maintain college status while at high school. 

Sophomores in the computer programming and Web development program will be the first to have the opportunity to apply for the program. If accepted, they will be considered Northeastern students and will be able to earn college credit throughout their junior and senior year of high school—providing a path toward an associate's degree in the field and, eventually, a bachelor's degree.

None of this will cost students or parents anything, as the program is being funded by a grant from the federal government's "Race to the Top" initiative.

"I am so excited about being able to have our students also enrolled at Northeastern University, but the real thrill is in seeing a major university collaborate with technical high schools." said Assabet Superintendent Mary Jo Nawrocki. "There will also be academic courses available to the students, but the initial push came from the technical side, and I just find that refreshing, and a validation of what we do here at Assabet Valley on a daily basis."

For more information, contact Peter Dewar, Director of Professional Development, Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators, at 508-528-5400, ext. 208, or via email at dewar@tri-county.tc.