Early College Program
Early College is a dual enrollment program for rising seniors in Calvert County Public Schools.
About CSM Early College
Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS) and College of Southern Maryland (CSM) are proud to announce a new partnership to bring CCPS high school students and their families the CSM Early College Program. Open to rising seniors, this tuition-free program is an opportunity to experience being a full-time college student, save money, and earn a full year’s worth of college credits.
Students will take college classes on the CSM Prince Frederick Campus their senior year, while simultaneously fulfilling their high school graduation requirements. Students will earn their high school diploma while also earning a General Studies Transfer Certificate at CSM. Aligning with the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, this program for the 2023-2024 academic year is open to rising seniors from CCPS high schools.
- As an Early College student, you’ll get the full experience of being a CSM student taking college classes full time.
- You’ll attend class at the Prince Frederick Campus Monday through Thursday, from 8:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., in CSM’s fully equipped classroom spaces and labs.
- You’ll have access to CSM facilities and resources, as well as a comprehensive network of support services provided by both CSM and your home high school.
- You’ll experience the pace and rigor of college-level coursework. Most importantly, you’ll see the reward for your dedication and effort when you graduate high school with your diploma and a full year of college credit.
Watch a Recording of our Virtual Infosession
Costs
- CCPS will fully cover students’ CSM tuition, fees, and course materials.
- CCPS will provide transportation and boxed lunches.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the 2023-24 Early College program, students must:
- Be a rising senior
- Have an unweighted high school GPA of 2.75 or better.
- Completed Algebra 2 with a grade of C or higher by the end of the 2022-2023 academic year.
- Completed all or most of their student service-learning requirements by the end of the
2022-2023 academic year.
- Completed all state testing requirements by the end of the 2022-2023 academic year.
- Completed two credits of World Language or another pathway for graduation by the
end of the 2022-2023 academic year.
How to Apply: Next Steps
- Apply to CSM as a Dual Enrollment student
- Submit the Early College request form
The application includes an open-ended writing question:
- You are to choose one of the two prompts below. Spend a bit of time thinking about the prompt, and then write an essay of three to five paragraphs that explains your unique goals, expectations, and potential challenges. Make sure to include specific details. Take time to edit your essay before submitting it.
- Think about your career and life goals. How will earning a college degree or transfer certificate at the same time as your high school diploma help you reach those goals? In what ways do you expect your enrollment at CSM to change your high school experience? What might be gained or lost by attending CSM during high school? How might you face any challenges that arise from balancing both high school and college responsibilities?
- Think about your college goals. What is your overall goal in attending CSM? Name two or more potential challenges you might face in college that you anticipate will be different than challenges you faced in high school. Then discuss how you might deal with such challenges. Be sure to list specific strategies you will use to be successful.
Parents and guardians with questions can contact their child’s class counselor.
