A dual-enrollment partnership between Quinsigamond Community College and Southbridge Public Schools is expanding after two years of growth that has seen increasing numbers of students earn college credits while still in high school.
Launched in 2024 with 52 students, Early College Southbridge grew to 84 students in 2025 and is preparing to broaden its course offerings again as it enters its third year. Program leaders say more than 50 seniors this year will graduate having completed at least one college-level course, with several earning more than a dozen college credits before receiving their high school diplomas.
The program allows students to take college courses at no cost while still enrolled in high school. In addition to earning transferable college credits, students receive access to tutoring and other college resources while exploring potential career paths and developing workplace skills.
The expansion comes as educators continue looking for ways to increase college access and career readiness, particularly in communities where students have historically been underrepresented in higher education.
“I’m so proud of our students. I’ve seen them become very engaged and motivated,” Kathleen Cadarette, director of Early College and Community Partnerships for Southbridge Public Schools, said in the announcement. “This is a pillar of moving our district forward and showing investment in our students.”
Beginning next year, the program will expand from two courses to five, including offerings tied to careers in health care and management.
Program leaders credited the long-standing partnership between Southbridge Public Schools and QCC for helping the initiative grow. QCC also operates a satellite location at Southbridge High School.
“The strength of our partnership is vital to the success of the program. QCC has collaborated with Southbridge for many years, including its current satellite location at the high school,” Veronica Guay, executive director of High School Dual Enrollment Programs and Partnerships for QCC, said in the announcement. “Building the bridge between K-12 and higher education requires strong systems and communication. Southbridge High School made a tremendous impact by adapting their schedule and processes to make this program work.”
Beyond academics, students participate in career exploration activities that introduce them to industries such as health care, manufacturing and information technology through job fairs, site visits and partnerships with local employers and organizations.
Southbridge Superintendent Bill Metzger said the program helps address barriers that can limit educational opportunities for students in the district.
“For our students, transportation and access can be barriers, so it’s critical that QCC is right here and fits so well with our community,” Metzger said in the announcement. “Early College is helping us establish that there is a lot of value to staying enrolled at Southbridge High School.”
Metzger noted that nearly 90 percent of Southbridge students are historically underrepresented in higher education. He also said the program benefits teachers, who receive training and professional development opportunities connected to Early College instruction.
The initiative is funded through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, allowing students to take courses free of charge. Credits earned through the program are transferable through the state’s MassTransfer system and can be applied toward certificates and degrees at Massachusetts public colleges and universities.
QCC also operates Early College programs in Worcester and Marlborough.
“Early College is another initiative for students that Massachusetts is going to lead the way on and become an exemplar for the nation,” Metzger said in the announcement.
