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1200 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 442-5885
Fax: (202) 442-5026
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Early College

Early College is an innovative, national, high school model that allows high school students to earn up to 60 transferrable college credits towards an Associate Degree, tuition free, while earning their high school diploma. Students complete rigorous academic coursework in ninth and tenth grade and complete college curriculum on a university partner campus.

DCPS offers three citywide Early College application high school programs. To learn more about each program, visit the links below:

Bard High School Early College (BHSEC) DC offers students the unique opportunity to earn up to 60 transferable college credits and an Associate degree from Bard College alongside a high school diploma, free of charge. BHSEC provides a rigorous course of study across the liberal arts and sciences that emphasizes critical thinking, writing, and inquiry.

Program Specifics:

Minimum GPA: None. Transcript required for 11th graders only
Essay: Yes (to be completed at Bard, and not through the My School DC application)
Admissions Process: Application review; Essay (on-site); Interview
Recommendations (completed online through My School DC application): Math teacher
Grades Accepting Applications: 9th and 11th

The Coolidge Early College Academy is one of DC's newest college readiness programs. Students will gain the valuable experience of attending classes on a college campus and earning both a high school diploma and up to 60 transferrable college credits towards and Associate Degree, tuition free.

Program Specifics:

Minimum GPA: 3.0 GPA recommended
Minimum Standardized Test Requirements: Score of “met” or “exceeded expectations” in both math and reading on the PARCC exam or any state standardized test recommended
Essay: Yes
Admissions Process: Application review, Family Interview
Recommendations (completed online through My School DC application): English teacher, Math teacher, Counselor
Grades Accepting Applications: 9th

The GW Early College Program provides highly motivated and academically talented sophomores from School Without Walls the opportunity to earn an associate of arts degree from GW’s Columbian College of Arts and Sciences while completing high school, tuition free. Admission to the dual-enrollment program is selective and limited to a maximum of 15 students each year.

Program Specifics (Application is not completed through My School DC portal):

Minimum GPA: Program reviews transcript
Minimum Standardized Test Requirements: Yes
Essay: Yes
Admissions Process: Application review, Interview with GW Admissions Director
Recommendations: 10th grade team
Grades Accepting Applications: 10th

Questions? Contact DCPS College Prep Coordinator, Emily Huey at [email protected] .