Henrico County Public Schools and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College announced today that they have partnered to create the Advance College Academy (ACA), a concurrent enrollment program that allows high school students to earn an Associate of Science in Social Science degree in addition to a high school diploma.

“The program gives our kids the opportunity to go through a very rigorous but also a very rewarding program,” said Henrico Superintendent of Schools Dr. Pat Russo, who explained that the program is the first of its kind in Virginia to offer both an associate degree and a high school diploma.

“By the time these students graduate from high school, they would have earned 61 college credits,” added Reynolds President Gary L. Rhodes. “Students who successfully complete the program would be able to transfer to many of Virginia's public and private colleges and
universities.”

The pilot program will launch in the fall of 2011 with 50 students in two classes. ACA will be located at Tucker High School. There is no charge for students to enroll in the program or to earn an associate degree through the program.

Eighth-grade students who qualify to apply to the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School are eligible to apply to ACA. The selection process will include components of the application process to Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School and Henrico County Public Schools specialty centers. An application for enrollment to ACA is currently posted on the Henrico County Public Schools’ Web site.

Enrolled students will take advanced high school courses during their freshman and sophomore years. They will begin college-level courses beginning the summer prior to their junior year.

“The goal of high school is to prepare students for further education,” says Eric Jones, executive director of secondary education for HCPS. “This program meets that goal while allowing students a significant head start on earning a four-year degree that is a necessity to be successful in the 21st century. During these dire economic times, earning 61 college credits at no cost to parents or students is equally important.”

To ensure the quality of the program, HCPS and J. Sargeant Reynolds are currently seeking accreditation through the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP).