Charles County Public Schools and CSM Host 5 'Early College' Program Information Nights

Charles County Public Schools and CSM Host 5 'Early College' Program Information Nights

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) in partnership with Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) is launching an Early College Program for high school students. The pilot program begins in fall 2022 and provides high school students with a tuition-free early start to higher education.  

CCPS will pilot the program for the 2022-2023 school year. As part of the pilot, CCPS will offer 150 total spaces to current high school juniors who are rising to senior at four high schools: Henry E. Lackey, St. Charles, Thomas Stone and Westlake high schools. 

Interested students and families should attend one of the five upcoming planned information sessions. During the information sessions, staff will share details about the application process and program deadlines. The following sessions are available. 

• Tuesday, Feb. 15, 5:30 p.m., Henry E. Lackey High School media center. 
• Wednesday, Feb. 16, 6 p.m., St. Charles High School auditorium. 
• Thursday, Feb. 17, 5:30 p.m., Thomas Stone High School media center. 
• Tuesday, Feb. 22, 6 p.m., Westlake High School cafeteria. 
• Wednesday, Feb. 23, 6 p.m. virtual meeting. Click here to register for the virtual meeting. 

Parents and students can also learn more about the program at https://www.csmd.edu/apply-register/credit/high-school/early-college/index.html.  

Accepted students will be enrolled in both CSM and their zoned high school their senior year. Students will attend classes at the CSM La Plata campus and receive both high school credit and CSM credits for those courses. These students will work toward a 34-credit certification program that allows them to complete transferable college credits and their high school diploma requirements at the same time. As both a CCPS and CSM student, the program offers enrolled students one year of free college credits.  

CCPS is covering tuition for all participating students and associated course fees for eligible students in the Free and Reduced Meals (FARM) program. Cost of the pilot program for CCPS next year is estimated at $694,000, which includes tuition, instructional materials, meals and transportation. 

The 2022-2023 pilot phase may expand to include high school juniors and seniors at all CCPS high schools starting with the 2023-2024 school year.