Early College Programs
Earn college credit while still in high school with Lakes Region Community College’s Early College programs. There are three options to choose from: Early College at Your High School, Early College on Campus (at LRCC), and Early College Online (through CCSNH).
Read the story of an Early College student who became an Early College teacher!
Early College at Your High School
The Early College at Your High School program enables high school students to take community college courses in their high school for college credit.
What grades are eligible? Any student grades 10-12 (Students in ninth grade with special permission can take Early College classes but aren’t eligible for the CCSNH Scholarship.)
What classes are offered? The number and types of college classes available at each high school varies depending on the experience and background of the teachers at the high school.
How much does it cost? Take up to 2 courses per year at no cost and pay $150 per additional course! (Scholarships are applied automatically when students register.)
Who teaches the courses? The courses are taught by teachers you already know in your school, who have college-level teaching credentials and use a college syllabus and course materials. These courses are taken as part of the daily class schedule and are considered “dual enrollment” which means these courses also satisfy high school credits.
Will these credits transfer? Yes. These credits are eligible to transfer to most colleges and universities.
Is it possible to graduate high school with an associate degree? Yes, it is! If you start as a sophomore and take 20 college courses over 3 years, you can complete a majority of the requirements of an associate degree!
How do I sign up for Early College at my high school? Fill out this quick inquiry form and you will be contacted.
LRCC serves the following high schools:
| Belmont | Gilford | Inter-Lakes |
| J. Olivia Huot Tech Center | Kingswood Regional | Laconia |
| Laconia Christian | Lin-Wood | Moultonborough Academy |
| Newfound Regional | Plymouth Regional | Prospect Mountain |
| Lakes Region Tech | Winnisquam Regional |
We have established formal pathways with the schools below where high school students can begin their college work for certain LRCC programs:
| School Name | Download PDF |
| Concord Regional | Culinary Arts |
| Franklin High School | Culinary Arts, Pastry Arts, Advanced Manufacturing |
| Kearsarge Regional | Culinary Arts |
| MST | Culinary Arts |
| Plymouth Regional | Culinary Arts |
| Portsmouth Career Tech | Culinary Arts |
| Salem CTE | Culinary Arts |
| Seacoast School of Tech | Culinary Arts |
| Somersworth High School | Culinary Arts |
Early College on Campus (at Lakes Region Community College)
The Early College on Campus program enables high school students to take community college courses on campus at Lakes Region Community College for college credit.
Requirements
- You must be at least 16 years old (this can be waived based on parent or school counselor approval of readiness.)
- You must have transportation.
Steps
- Connect with Early College Coordinator Chelsea Divers at [email protected] or 603-366-5269 to discuss available courses in the upcoming semester.
- Share this information with your school counselor to ensure that you are approved to take the course and that these college credits will count towards high school graduation.
- Complete the online registration form and include email contact information for your school counselor and a parent or guardian so they can provide consent for you take college classes at LRCC.
Cost
Early College on Campus classes are eligible for the CCSNH scholarship and, once the scholarships are used, qualify for a tuition discount which equals half off tuition and comprehensive fees. This discounted rate does not include the cost of textbooks or classroom materials.
What classes are offered? We offer a variety of classes. Visit our course schedule page to learn more about the classes that are offered at LRCC each semester.
When do they start/end? Our courses are offered in full semester as well as more accelerated formats and have varying start times. A majority of our courses meet once a week for a selected period of time.
Early College Online (through CCSNH)
Early College Online is a dual credit program that gives high school students the opportunity to take 100% online college courses through the Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) while earning high school and college credit simultaneously. Early College Online allows you to:
- Earn high school and college credit for the same online course
- Access your class anytime/anywhere to fit your busy schedule
- Learn from highly qualified CCSNH faculty
- Gain valuable experience with college coursework
- Transfer credits to many colleges and universities
- Save money – tuition is only $150 plus the cost of textbooks
Course offerings can be found at the CCSNH website.
Connect
Want to sign up for a class but not sure how? For more information on all of these opportunities, send an inquiry or contact Early College Coordinator Chelsea Divers at [email protected] or 603-366-5269.
Already Enrolled in Early College?
