In a time when the value of higher education is being questioned, Early College Worcester (ECW), a collaboration between Quinsigamond Community College, Worcester State University and Worcester Public Schools, is transforming how students make decisions about college and transitioning from a high school setting. Through ECW, high school students earn college-level credits and gain an understanding of higher education processes, all at no cost to students. This important initiative, considered the largest state-designated early college program, not only saves students time and money, but also empowers them to make smart decisions about their future.
"One key to the success of Early College Worcester is the structure of the partnership,” said QCC’s Executive Director of High School Dual Enrollment Programs and Partnerships, Veronica Guay, who commended the high level of commitment from QCC, WSU and WPS staff members.
Over the last seven years, the teamwork of guidance counselors, instructors and program coordinators has made ECW a continually growing program where students learn both academically and personally in a highly supported environment.
"Students retain and complete at a higher rate compared to non-Early College students," noted Guay.
During the Spring 2025 semester, approximately 675 students were enrolled across the two colleges, taking a combined 2,029 credits. While most students complete the program with an average of 6-9 college credits, over 100 students earned 12 or more credits last year, and that number is continuing to grow.
For many students, ECW serves as an exploration period. Rather than assuming career paths based on limited knowledge, the program introduces students to diverse academic disciplines and potential career trajectories.
"Exposure to topics that they may not have studied during their first two years in high school could spark interest in a career path moving forward," said Sara Grady, associate dean for Graduate Studies & Professional Development at Worcester State University.
Vianna Singh, a recent graduate from North High School, took full advantage of this benefit through Early College courses at QCC and WSU. Initially uncertain about her college goals and possessing a wide variety of interests, she took courses ranging from homeland security to photography. This academic exploration helped her discover her passion for environmental policy while earning 18 college credits.
When graduation approached, Singh felt confident enough to apply to multiple universities. With big goals and a passion for travel, she will be attending Duke University’s sister campus in Shanghai, China this fall.
"Early College is what made me want to challenge myself and do a little more. I've done a lot of college already," Singh reflected.
Her guidance counselor at North High, Travis Sullivan, observed how ECW transforms students' perspectives.
"This program can create that motivation, so students continue forward and realize, 'Hey, I can hack it in a college course and I could potentially change my path, with a certificate or a degree," said Sullivan.
While the academic benefits are clear, ECW's impact extends far beyond coursework. For students like Lulu, from South High School, who knew her career interests from the start, ECW provided different but equally valuable benefits. As the first in her family to attend college, Lulu was already motivated to make her family proud, but ECW amplified her preparation and assuredness.
"I want to know what I'm getting into," she said, describing how the program taught her to research colleges strategically, understand financial planning, identify scholarship opportunities and select institutions that align with her career goals and lifestyle preferences (she does not want a school known for its party scene).
Lulu also became familiar with campus resources and developed an appreciation for the community at QCC, feeling empowered to ask questions and make connections with staff and other students.
"You can really see the confidence that participants attain from the program,” said QCC’s High School to College Linkages Specialist Andy Kupec. “Students like Lulu make the most out of every opportunity."
Early College students learn crucial lessons about time management, how to communicate effectively with professors, navigate syllabi, and understand grade structures - soft skills that will benefit them whether they decide to pursue college or not.
ECW's mission extends beyond individual student success to address broader educational equity. The program serves a demographic that closely mirrors Worcester's population: 71% of participants come from low-income families, and 77% are students of color.
"For students from traditionally underserved populations, Early College gives them an idea of what college is like before they have to make big life decisions and while they're still supported," said Dan St. Louis, director of Early College for Worcester Public Schools. "And for families who think of college as a mountain of debt, this shows them that it doesn't have to be financially irresponsible.”
Early College Worcester demonstrates how strategic partnerships between educational institutions can create transformative opportunities for students. By combining academic performance with practical skill-building and maintaining a strong support system, ECW is not just preparing students for college, it's reshaping their understanding of what's possible in their educational and professional futures.