Mt. SAC, West Covina Open Early College Academy

March 16, 2018 - 10:04 AM

Mt. SAC and the West Covina Unified School District jointly held a ribbon-cutting March 15 for their new collaborative, the Mt. SAC Early College Academy at West Covina, a dual enrollment public high school.

Through the academy, students have the potential to earn a high school diploma and up to two years of transferable college credit simultaneously.

“This is an opportunity for students to get a head start on their college careers even if they come from disadvantaged backgrounds. And if they continue at Mt. SAC, they can earn their Associate degree in just one year,” said Mt. SAC President William Scroggins.

Mt. SAC Early College Academy students enjoy numerous benefits. Because the Mt. SAC Early College Academy is a dual enrollment high school, the students are not charged for college tuition nor textbooks even when they take college-level classes. Classes that provide college credit will be taught by Mt. San Antonio College professors to ensure the high school students benefit from the same level of knowledge and information that college students receive.

“By working with Mt. San Antonio College, we can help our students get even more from their high school experience,” said Dr. Charles Hinman, superintendent of West Covina Unified School District. Michael Flowers, President of the WCUSD Board of Education added, “Through the Mt. SAC Early College Academy, students get a taste of the college experience while earning college credit.”

The Mt. SAC Early College Academy launches this August with its first cohort of high school students. The school features small classes, a later start time, tutoring during the school day, and integrates project-based learning into the curriculum.

Applications for the first cohort of students will be available from March 19 through May 4. More information is available online at http://mtsaceca.wcusd.org .