Massachusetts Early College Initiative

Background

The vision of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE) and Board of Elementary & Secondary Education (BESE) is for growth and sustainability of high-quality early college partnerships connecting our state’s districts and high schools with our state’s colleges. These partnerships will all be aimed at giving thousands of Massachusetts students, especially first-generation college-goers, access to college completion and career success.

Early College

Early College programs are intentionally designed to empower students traditionally underrepresented in higher education. MA Early College Designated Programs work to blend elements of high school and college to provide students with the opportunity to experience and complete college level academic coursework on a clearly articulated pathway and simultaneously gain exposure to a variety of career opportunities. Early college programs also reduce the time and expense of earning a college credential while increasing the likelihood of completion.

A Brief History of MA Early College

In 2016, the Boards of Higher Education and Elementary and Secondary Education looked at whether the state could devise an early college strategy. They commissioned a study, done by Parthenon-EY Education Practice, to look at the potential for the development of Early College in Massachusetts The report confirmed that Early College is a promising model that narrows educational opportunity gaps, and that existing programs would provide a powerful base from which to build a broader statewide Early College initiative. Following these findings in January 2017, the boards of Elementary and Secondary Education and Higher Education jointly launched an initiative intended to support the expansion of Early College and establish an Early College Designation. The boards also created an Early College Joint Committee (ECJC), charged with developing the Early College Designation Process for the Commonwealth.

• Original Designation Criteria Document (2017)
• 2020 MA Early College Press Release
• List of Current MA Designated Early College programs
• Summer 2022 MA Early College Fact Sheet
• Early College Promise (ECP) 5th Year Pilot Program (limited pilot)
• School Meals for Early College Learners
• MA Early College Data Story
• MA Early College Program Data Dashboard

Early College Designation Process and Timeline — SY2025-2026

Early College Program Designation Application Companion Document 2022 >

This companion document is designed to provide important information on the Designation process and requirements, as well as context for the criteria to be met under each of the five Guiding Principles.

Designation Readiness Checklist >

The Early College Readiness Checklist is a resource for prospective Early College partners to guide their pre-planning for the Designation application process.

Designation Timeline

• May 13, 2025 – 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Early College Designation information and orientation session–This first session of a two-part introductory series is jointly presented by DESE and P2C. To register for this two-part series, click HERE
• May 20, 2025 – 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. - “What is Required to Become a Designated Program?” Session overview: This session provides an in-depth overview of the application as it relates to the guiding principles and designation requirements (part of the 2-part series).
• May 30, 2025 – Letter of Intent is due by 5:00 p.m. in Alchemer
• June 16, 2025 – 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. -District Superintendents’ and IHE Presidents leadership meeting for programs Intending to apply for Designation. Please register HERE
• May - August 2025 – Support Sessions and office hours available for Designation applicants. Please find more details and register HERE for support sessions.
• September 19, 2025 – Part A applications due at 5:00 p.m. in Alchemer
• October 2025 – Announcement of applicants advancing to Part B
• November 2025 - January 2026 – Technical Assistance Sessions and office hours- Register and find more details at the link below: MAECP Designation Timeline – MA Early College Community of Practice
• January 2026 – Part B is due in Alchemer by 5:00 p.m.
• March 2026 – Designation recommendations reviewed by the Early College Joint Committee

Additional Resource: NS4Ed, in partnership with the MA Early College staff, has created a resource site to support the Early College community of practice. Visit www.MAEarlyCollege.com to learn more.

If you are seeking additional information on Early College, please contact the Early College Program Director at Kristin.Hunt@doe.mass.edu

Please check this page regularly for updates.

Early College Joint Committee

The Early College Joint Committee is charged with designing, developing and coordinating the administration of a Massachusetts early college program based on the process and key design principles set forth in the joint resolution of the Boards of Elementary & Secondary Education and Higher Education, approved at their joint meeting on January 24, 2017.

• Katherine Craven, Chair, Massachusetts Board of Elementary & Secondary Education
• Chris Gabrieli, Chair, Massachusetts Board of Higher Education
• Matt Hills, Member, Massachusetts Board of Elementary & Secondary Education
• Noe Ortega, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (non-voting)
• Dr. Patrick Tutwiler, Acting Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education

Design Principles

Under the Early College Designation put forth by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education (BHE) and Board of Elementary & Secondary Education (BESE), approved designated early college programs in Massachusetts will align with the following design principles:

1. Equitable Access

targeting underrepresented students in higher education

4. Connections to Career

through workplace and experiential learning experiences

2. Academic Pathways

that are well integrated and aligned with college and career

5. High-Quality & Deep Partnerships

between high schools and colleges

3. Enhanced Student Support

in both academics and advising

Designated Early College Programs

Following a rigorous two phased application process based on the Massachusetts Early College Criteria, the Early College Joint Committee granted the first designations to five programs in May 2018. Four more programs were designated in July 2018. During the 2018-2019 school year, nearly 1,500 students enrolled in designated early college programs around the state, increasing to nearly 2,280 in the subsequent year.

In the 2021-2022 year, enrollment in designated early college programs are projected to jump to 4,000 students. As of July 2024, there are 28 IHE and 62 high schools across 55 partnerships.

32 IHE and 76 high schools (73 Designated high schools + 3 “sender” high schools), across 73 partnerships.

Last Updated: July 3, 2025