Officials celebrate new Early College program at Malden High School

  State Senator Jason Lewis, State Representatives Steven Ultrino, Kate Lipper-Garabedian and Paul Donato, and the City of Malden are excited to announce a new Early College program partnership between Malden High School and Bunker Hill Community College. This program was approved by the Healey-Driscoll administration in March along with eight other high schools across the state.

  The Massachusetts Early College program gives students the opportunity to take college courses and earn credits at no cost before they graduate from high school. Early College allows students to get a head start on their higher education and contributes to significantly higher college enrollment and completion rates, particularly for low-income, minority and first-generation college students. In 2019, approximately 76 percent of Early College students enrolled in college after high school graduation compared to 55 percent of their peers who did not participate in Early College.

  “I’m very excited for this new opportunity that students in Malden will have to benefit from Malden High’s Early College program partnership with Bunker Hill Community College,” said Senator Lewis. “The benefits of this program – especially for English learners, low-income students, and students of color – are significant, and will enable more Malden High graduates to go on to higher education.”

  “As an educator myself, I understand first-hand how important it is to prepare our younger generation for their future careers and give them every opportunity possible to ensure success,” said Representative Ultrino. “This Early College partnership opens many doors for young people in our community and invests in their future. I am excited to see more Malden students, and students from all over Massachusetts, benefit from this program.”

  “I’m thrilled Malden High School’s Early College Program designation has been approved,” said Representative Lipper-Garabedian. “As a former teacher and education attorney, I know firsthand the difference these programs make in advancing educational equity for our students. Accordingly, as a legislator, I’ve filed The College in High School Act, House Bill 1286, to ensure that every high school student in the Commonwealth has access to a robust, coordinated program like Early College that enables them to graduate with college credits or an industry-recognized credential or certificate. It’s meaningful to see a school in my own District leading in this space.”

  “I’m grateful to our educators for looking for innovative ways to provide students with the tools to ensure they succeed not just in high school but in college and in the workforce,” said Malden Mayor Gary Christenson. “The collaboration with Bunker Hill Community College will, among other things, enable participating students to graduate high school with transferable credits and a pathway to graduate college.”