2026 Early College Summit

This session highlights the impact of early college exposure and how one Massachusetts school fostered a college-going culture for students, staff, and families. New Heights Charter School of Brockton has expanded early college access, with over 50% of graduates earning an associate degree while in high school and nearly all earning at least 12 college credits. Serving a culturally diverse community, the school created an accessible and equitable early college model that instills in ALL students the belief that they are college-bound from day one. Join this session to explore best practices for building a supportive college-going culture.

Research, policy, and practice in dual enrollment and early college are increasingly aligning around a central priority: in order for students to realize the most benefits possible out of college courses in high school, programs need to be structured and provide students with intentionally designed college course experiences aligned to their postsecondary or career interests and trajectories. But that's easier said than done! The College in High School Alliance is working on developing a new framework for intentional dual enrollment, and we want to hear from you: what is it going to take to build dual enrollment and early college programs that give every learner the opportunity to advance their postsecondary and career trajectory, and ensure that students are always having meaningful college course experiences in high school?

The power of any network lies in building strong connections among members. During this role-alike networking session, join peers and colleagues to connect around role-alike discussion of topics important to your work in the early college ecosystem through a facilitated networking conversation.