Concord-Carlisle High School Launches Partnership Offering Students College Credit

CONCORD — Concord-Carlisle High School has launched a new partnership with Middlesex Community College that allows students to earn college credit in their high school classrooms.

Through the dual enrollment program, 46 students are taking Anatomy & Physiology or Introduction to Sociology this fall for college credit. This is the first year CCHS has offered the program.

The courses are taught at CCHS by ​Rebecca Mahoney, who teaches Anatomy & Physiology, and ​Chris ​Gauthier, who teaches Introduction to Sociology. Both educators meet Middlesex Community College’s qualifications to teach their respective courses at the college level, and the college approved their course syllabi.

The model allows students to take college-level courses within their regular high school schedules, without traveling to a college campus or coordinating classes around a separate college calendar.

“One of the challenges with dual enrollment is that high school and college schedules rarely line up,” said CCHS Assistant Principal Jennifer Scott. “This partnership lets students earn college credit here at CCHS with teachers they know, and within our typical school calendar.”

Students enrolled in the two courses can apply through Middlesex Community College to earn college credit. Students who pursue college credit learn alongside classmates who take the courses solely for high school credit.

Participating students pay a discounted rate of $131 per college credit. Grant funding through the Commonwealth Dual Enrollment Partnership covers participation costs for eligible students. Six CCHS students are currently participating at no charge.

“We want students to have access to these opportunities regardless of their ability to pay,” Assistant Principal Scott said. “Having funding available means more students can explore a subject that interests them and begin earning college credit before they graduate.”

Students who successfully complete the program earn college credit through Middlesex Community College in addition to credit toward their CCHS graduation requirements. Through MassTransfer, students can move college credits easily among all public community colleges, state universities and UMass campuses. They may be able to transfer the college credits to another institution after graduation, depending on that institution’s policies.

CCHS hopes to expand the program to include additional courses in future years.

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