Central Pennsylvania Consortium of Schools
Early College Pathway Program (HACC Cohort Program)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1.
What is the Early College Pathway Program?
This program is designed to give students an opportunity to engage in college level courses through a cohort approach. Typical
course completion will lead to 40 credits in a General Studies Program in coordination with the Harrisburg Area Community
College (HACC).
2.
What school districts are involved in the Early College Pathway Program?
Currently, the following school districts are involved in this cohort program with HACC: Big Spring School District, Carlisle Area
School District, Cumberland Valley School District, East Pennsboro Area School District, Mechanicsburg Area School District,
Northern York County School District, Shippensburg Area School District, South Middleton School District, and West Shore
School District.
3.
When is a student eligible for application for the Early College Pathway Program?
Students become eligible for admission at the end of their sophomore year of high school. Students must meet East
Pennsboro’s Advanced College Placement requirement
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90% cumulative GPA
Completion a minimum of 15 credits
Shown proficiency/advanced on the Algebra I Keystone
Students must also be accepted to HACC (application and placement assessment)
-Students should see their counselor for a HACC application and to have their name put on a prospective list of students.
-Students should request a traditional schedule of classes for their 11th grade. If accepted into the HACC program, then their
schedule will be redesigned.
4.
What is the cost per credit for the Early College Pathway Program?
The cost per credit has been reduced to $50 per credit. For students in this cohort, that equals approximately $450 per
semester or $800 per year. For students pursuing a four year degree at a Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
institution, this can present a current savings of more than $50,000 to families.
5.
Can my student take additional courses and participate in extra-curricular activities at their high school while enrolled in this
program?
Yes. Each student’s schedule is unique, but this program has intentionally been structured to facilitate access by your student to
both additional high school courses of interest and participation in extra-curricular activities.
6.
Where will the Early College Pathway Program courses be offered?
The courses will be offered on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings at a centralized campus location among the
consortium school districts.
7.
Will transportation be provided by my district for the face to face instruction?
No. Families must arrange for transportation to the centralized campus locations.
8.
How will the courses be structured?
Courses will be offered in a blended format including both face to face instruction (as mentioned above) and online instruction.
The online instruction and support will take place on Monday and Friday mornings during the scheduled cohort course time.
9.
What courses will be offered in Year 1 of the program and in what sequence?
Semester One---- World History 101, and Principles of Accounting (7 credits)
Semester Two---- World History 102, Principles of Marketing, and English Composition 101 (9 credits)
See complete schedule at the end of this document.
10. Can the accrued credits transfer into other universities at the time of high school graduation?
Yes. Students/families should work with the individual universities or colleges to determine which credits will transfer.
11. How do I apply for the program?
a.
b.
c.
d.
Students must apply to HACC (can get an application through your counseling office or at www.hacc.edu/collegepathways).
Complete the “College in the High School” (CHS) application and send a copy of your transcript to HACC.
Once accepted, students will be required to take the Reading, Writing, and Math placement tests. (480 or above on the
Reading portion of the SAT will exempt you from the test.)
Once accepted and courses are selected, student will receive a schedule and invoice from HACC.
* if a student is already accepted to HACC through a previous College in the High School course, they are not required
to reapply but may still need to take the placement tests.
12. What should I expect of the placement tests?
All placement test are online and will take the average student two (2) hours to complete the three placement tests required for
the Early College Placement Program. If you are not proficient on the placement tests, you will not be able to participate in this
program.
13. When and where will the placement test be given?
Students can schedule to take these tests at HACC. You can call HACC directly at 717-780-1105. You will need to bring a photo ID
to take a placement test.
14. How will these course grades be reported?
These courses would be recorded in the grading system of the Harrisburg Area Community College. While East Pennsboro
accepts the credits earned toward graduation, the grade is not a part of the student’s East Pennsboro GPA. When students
apply to college, the student will send an East Pennsboro and a HACC transcript.
15. How will these courses affect my GPA and Class Rank?
A student’s GPA will not be affected since these courses will not be factored into the East Pennsboro Area High School’s grading
system. A student’s GPA will be based on East Pennsboro courses only.
16. What is the weekly schedule for this program?
Below is an example of a first year / first semester schedule. See complete schedule at the end of this document.
Day
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
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Course
Online work
Intro to Accounting (4cr)
World History 1 (3 cr)
Online work
Online work
Location
Home or EP
CV
Carlisle
Home or EP
Home or EP
Fall 2015
Staff
Multiple
Mrs. Hayes – CV teacher
Ms. Whitmoyer – Big Spring
Multiple
Multiple
Time
8:00 am
7:15-8:45
7:15-8:45
8:00 am
8:00 am
Students who did not meet placement test requirements for English Composition 101 must take 11th grade English through
East Pennsboro and retake the Placement test to qualify for English Composition in the spring.
17. How do I get the required books for the courses?
Students must purchase books through HACC either online or at their bookstore. This information will be shared when you
receive your schedule from HACC.
18. Do we follow East Pennsboro’s, HACC’s, or a special calendar for the school year?
The fall start date is the same as East Pennsboro – Aug. 24th. Days in session are determined by whether the host building is in
session.
19. Will I be required to take any other courses through East Pennsboro?
Each course will count as one (1) East Pennsboro credit and 3 HACC credits. To meet East Pennsboro’s present graduation
requirements, student would be required to take 4.5 credits at East Pennsboro. Students should be back in the buildings by the
beginning of Period 3 (9:53 am).
*An exception is for students not meeting English placement scores. They must take East Pennsboro’s English 11 course. They
may retest to take English Composition 101 in the spring of that school year.
20. May I take other courses through HACC?
Yes. Students may wish to individualize their program and add another HACC course. In that case, the student is responsible for
the cost of the extra course. The same is true if the student wishes to not take all three cohort courses
21. How will these courses look on my high school transcript?
When students are sending applications to colleges for acceptance, they must send a high school transcript. As you begin the
process, please also request that HACC send the college a transcript. When applying to colleges, East Pennsboro will send a
requested high school transcript and HACC will send a requested HACC transcript.
22. Are these courses approved by the NCAA clearinghouse?
Yes – all courses offered in year 1 have been approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse. All students considering an athletic
scholarship in college should check with the college of interest to discuss eligibility implications. This program is not intended
for students interested in a 4 year athletic scholarship.
23. How do I get more information regarding the Early College Pathway Program?
Contact your School Counselor. They can provide more information regarding the program along with next steps for
application.
24. Who is the point of contact for HACC if I have questions about the program?
Heather Collins – Director, College Pathways hlcollin@hacc.edu (717) 736-4110