Early College Southbridge
Welcome to Early College Southbridge! Early College Southbridge (ECS) is a partnership between Southbridge Public Schools and Quinsigamond Community College (QCC) to offer QCC courses to Southbridge High School (SHS) students. The program is free of charge, all courses satisfy MassCore requirements, most transfer to all public colleges and universities in Massachusetts, and the courses are offered during the school day.
Mission
Early College Southbridge, a partnership between Southbridge Public Schools and Quinsigamond Community College, will provide academic, personal, social, and professional opportunities that broaden our students’ expectations, skills, and opportunities for college and career.
Vision
Southbridge High School students will grow as individuals with the support of the Early College Southbridge program, define their personal goals and aspirations through applied knowledge and reflection, develop confidence through advising and learning essential college knowledge, earn at least 12 QCC college credits in a pathway of their choice, and transition to college to complete a degree or certificate that allows them to be financially independent, happy and personally satisfied, and contribute positively to society.
This student handbook provides important information to help you, students and families, navigate the program. We encourage you to read all parts of the Handbook.
You are making a significant investment in your future and we are proud of you!
Applying to ECS & Registering for Classes
Benefits of ECS & Student Responsibilities
Information Technology (IT) Pathway
Early College Southbridge Course Catalog
Dual Credit & MassCore Alignment
Dropping and Withdrawing from a Course
Students with Disabilities/Accommodations
Transferring QCC credit to another college
What is Early College?
Early College is a program that allows students to take college courses while still in high school while supported by wraparound programs that expand your understanding of the value of college. The early college courses you will take are aligned with MassCore, which means you not only earn QCC credits on a QCC transcript, but you also satisfy your high school graduation requirements at the same time. The goal of the program is for students to earn at least 12 credits in one of the four academic pathways.
ECS courses are located at the high school, on the QCC Southbridge Campus and occasionally at QCC Worcester (although this is rare). The location of the course will be indicated at the time of registration. QCC Southbridge is located on the first floor of the building with its own unique space, a security officer, signage and separate location in the building away from the general high school classrooms. Courses located at QCC Worcester will be supported by free transportation there and back to Southbridge High School.
Early College Southbridge is free of charge! Early College Southbridge became a Designated Early College program in March 2024. Designation means SHS and QCC have developed a high-quality and intentional partnership that is student centered. Designated programs are funded by the State to make them free of charge. Until that time, QCC is covering the cost of tuition and SHS is covering other costs (staff, transportation, and resources). Think of ECS as your very first college scholarship!
Additionally, ECS provides a number of academic, career and other support programs to help you develop as a student, increase your chances of success in the program, and expand your understanding of how college and career are connected.
QCC and SPS welcome you to be part of the ECS community.
Early College Staff
Early College Southbridge is supported by SHS and QCC Staff. You will see them at our events and you can contact them any time to learn more about the program.
Mr. William Downey, Early College Liaison and Graduation Coach [email protected]
Contact Mr. Downey for an introduction to the program, to receive a list of upcoming Early College events, and to discuss the different academic pathways.
Contact your school counselors before registration to learn more about classes and make sure you are on track to graduate.
Applying to ECS & Registering for Classes
Applying to ECS
Students, before you can register for college courses through ECS, you must first apply to the program and be admitted. You should first meet with your school counselor to discuss the benefits and responsibilities of being in the program. Once you apply and are admitted, you have access to resources and support programs. There is no requirement to register for a course to take advantage of ECS resources. Once you are an ECS student you will have access to these resources.
Please apply by contacting your school counselor, or e-mailing [email protected].
Register for Courses
After applying and being accepted, students will register for classes prior to the registration deadline. Registration will align with the high school registration process. Students will enroll for the next academic year of classes between December and February. You can take one or more three-credit courses every semester. Likewise, there may be a semester that you don’t want to take a college course. You are still an ECS student, even if you are not taking a course every semester. Course offerings vary from semester to semester.
STEP 1: Meet with your school counselor to learn which courses are available. They will share information on course content, rigor, and intensity.
STEP 2: After you meet with your counselor, discuss the course and its requirements with your parents and guardian, email your school counselor and Mr. Downey requesting to register for the specific classes. Once you are registered you will receive an email in response.
Benefits of ECS & Student Responsibilities
ECS offers many benefits, but as an ECS student you also have certain responsibilities.
Student Benefits
- Earn credits on a QCC transcript
- Participate in the ECS Support Program to build college skills and develop as a student
- Build confidence as a college student
- Attend academic, social and career workshops, field trips, and experiences
- Listen to speakers who describe their pathway into and through college
- Access to leadership academies
- Learn about certificates, pathways, degrees, and majors
- Consult with the early college counselor at your high school and QCC advisors who will support you with information and one-on-one advising
Student Responsibilities & Considerations
- The first week of every semester, students will attend a Week of Welcome orientation and celebration, which will cover the below items (and so much more).
- A college class requires at least 3 or 4 additional hours of studying outside the classroom, much more than a high school class. We have developed the ECS Student Support Program to help you with studying and homework when you are not in the class. QCC classes meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and support classes meet Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. You will be an active ECS student every day, Periods 7 and 8.
- Students are responsible for deadlines. In college there are strict deadlines for when to drop and withdraw from classes. If you want to drop a class because of grades or the course is not interesting, you must drop the course in time, or your transcript will record the unwanted grade. Students will be made aware of deadlines.
- Students are expected to behave like college students. This means showing up on time, paying attention, doing all your assignments, and communicating with your professor verbally and in emails with polite respect. See Quinsigamond Community College Student Code of Conduct.
Pathways
As an Early College Southbridge Student, you are encouraged to explore your interests, and we have programming that will help support that journey. Academic and Career Pathways is a system of advising that guides students towards an academic goal. Currently, Early College Southbridge has four pathways:
- Education/Teaching
- Information Technology (IT)
- Medical Professions
- Exploratory
After you apply and are admitted as an Early College Southbridge Student, you will take two of the three required courses, First Year Experience (FYE 101), Topics in Health Studies (FYE 102), and/or Introduction to Microcomputer Applications (CIS 111). These three courses prepare students for future courses and future pathways. FYE 101 and CIS 111 are required courses for Education/Teaching, IT, and Exploratory Pathways. FYE 102 and CIS 111 are required for those who are interested in pursuing the Medical Professions Pathway. There are no prerequisites or GPA requirements to enroll in FYE 101, FYE 102, or CIS 111. Each course is a three-credit course.
ECS Pathway Scope and Sequence (See below for Pathway Descriptions and Written Scope and Sequence)
Education/Teaching Pathway
This pathway allows students to progress towards becoming a teaching assistant, paraprofessional, and eventually becoming a teacher. This pathway includes the following course sequence (after completing FYE 101 and CSE 111):
Year 2 Courses
- MAT 100 - College Algebra OR MAT 122 - Statistics
- SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology OR PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology
Year 3 Courses
- ENG 101 - Composition I
- ECE 101 - Early Childhood Education (Worcester only)
Information Technology (IT) Pathway
Information Technology (IT) sets the groundwork for students to get an entry-level job but also prepares students for more advanced certificates and degrees for a long-term career. Students are eligible to earn workforce certificates which include a Google IT Help Desk Certificate. This pathway includes the following course sequence (after completing FYE 101 and CSE 111):
Year 2 Courses
- MAT 100 - College Algebra OR MAT 122 - Statistics
- CSC 108 - Introduction to Computer Science I
Year 3 Courses
- ENG 101 - Composition I
- CSC 105 - Intro to Information Technology AND/OR SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology
Medical Professions Pathway
Medical Professions include a wide range of careers, more than you may think! They are essential for the health and prosperity of the community. This pathway allows students to progress toward becoming a medical professional and satisfies your first semester in the Nursing Program at QCC. This pathway includes the following course sequence (after completing FYE 102 and CSE 111):
Year 2 Courses
- MAT 122 - Statistics
- PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology AND/OR ALH 102 - Intro to Medical Terminology
Year 3 Courses
- ENG 101 - Composition I AND/OR BIO 101 - General Biology
- PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology, AND/OR PHA 101 - Introduction to Public Health
Exploratory Pathway
This pathway allows students to take general education courses that prepare students for entering a community college or four-year university. The goal of this pathway is to explore a diversity of courses, develop one’s interests, and prepare for higher education after high school. This pathway includes the following course sequence (after completing FYE 101 and CSE 111):
Year 2 Courses
- MAT 100 - College Algebra OR MAT 122 - Statistics
- SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology OR CRJ 101 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
Year 3 Courses
- ENG 101 - Composition I
- PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology, AND/OR CRJ 101 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
Early College Southbridge Course Catalog
Courses will vary every semester so that you can progress within your pathway. Below is a link to the current course catalog. The ECS Course Catalog matches the courses listed in the Pathways and offers a full course description for each course. Please speak with your school counselor or the Early College Liaison for additional information on each course.
Early College Southbridge Course Catalog
Dual Credit & MassCore Alignment
The Massachusetts High School Program of Studies (MassCore) is a recommended, rigorous course of study based on standards in Massachusetts’ world-class curriculum frameworks that align high school coursework with college and workforce expectations. The recommended program of studies includes: four units of English, four units of mathematics, three units of a lab-based science, three units of social studies, two units of the same world language, one year of the arts and five additional “core” courses such as business, education, health, and/or technology. MassCore also includes additional learning opportunities including AP classes (which are different from ECS courses), dual enrollment, early college, a senior project, online courses for high school or college credit, and service or work-based learning. Southbridge High School follows the MassCore guidelines for our graduation requirements. Early College Southbridge assures course alignment so that by taking a QCC course through ECS, students are fulfilling a full unit of instruction.
Course Alignment/Core Crosswalk (Course Descriptions)
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Quinsigamond Community College-Southbridge High School-MassCore Equivalency Sheet |
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QCC Courses (Number of Credits) |
SHS Course |
MassCore |
|
ALH 102 – Intro to Medical Terminology (3 Credits) |
Medical Terminology |
1 Science Unit |
|
CIS 111 – Introduction to Microcomputer Applications (3 Credits) |
MicroSoft Suite |
1 Science Unit |
|
CSC 105 – IT Help Desk Concepts (2 Credits) |
IT Help Desk Concepts |
0.5 Science Unit |
|
ECE 101 – Early Childhood Education (3 Credits) |
Early Childhood Education |
1 Elective Unit |
|
English 101 – Composition I (3 Credits) |
Honors English 4 (12th Grade) |
1 English Language Arts Units |
|
FYE 101 – First Year Experience (3 Credits) |
Introduction to College |
1 Study Skills Unit |
|
FYE 102 - Topics in Health Studies (3 Credits) |
Introduction to Health Studies |
1 Health Unit |
|
Math 100 – College Algebra (3 Credits + 2 Co-req Credits) |
Honors Algebra II |
1 Mathematics Unit |
|
Math 122 – Statistics (3 Credits + 2 Co-req Credits) |
Honors Statistics |
1 Mathematics Unit |
|
BIO 101 – General Biology (4 Credits) |
Honors Biology |
1 Science Unit |
|
SOC 101 – Introduction to Sociology (3 Credits) |
Honors Sociology |
1 Social Studies |
|
PSY 101 – Introduction to Psychology (3 Credits) |
Honors Psychology |
1 Science Unit |
|
PHA 101 – Introduction to Public Health (3 Credits) |
Honors Public Health |
1 Social Studies or 1 Science Unit |
|
CRJ 101 – Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 Credits) |
Criminal Justice |
1 Social Studies Unit or 1 Elective Unit |
Student Eligibility
Once students apply, they are able to take First Year Experience (FYE 101), Topics in Health Studies (FYE 102), and Introduction to Microcomputer Applications (CIS 111). These three courses are gateway courses into the pathways, and prepare students for future courses. FYE 101 and CIS 111 required. FYE 102 is required for those who are interested in pursuing the Medical Professions Pathway. There are no prerequisites or GPA requirements to enroll in FYE 101, FYE 102, or CIS 111. The only requirement is that you have a good attendance record, are motivated, and sincerely want to be an Early College Southbridge student. Each course is three credits, and while students will generally only take two of the three courses, students may decide after FYE 101 that they would like to explore the Medical Professions Pathway, and enroll in FYE 102.
To enroll in other classes, students must fulfill one of the following eligibility requirements:
- Have at least a 2.7 GPA (a B- average) in their high school courses, OR
- Have at least a 2.5 GPA with the recommendation of a school counselor, OR Southbridge High School teacher, OR
- PSAT Score of 900, OR
- MCAS Score of 500, OR
- IXL Grades that indicate students are on level, OR
- Passing the QCC English Self-Assessment Placement Test
Dropping and Withdrawing from a Course
Once you register for a course, you may decide that the course is just not for you and want to drop. Talk to your professor and your school counselor about whether dropping the course is the best option. If you decide to drop the course, please send an email to your school counselor, Mr. Downey, the Early College Counselor, as well as a representative of the college where you are taking the course. QCC - Andy Kupec and Kerry Berry
Dropping and Withdrawing are two different things. Dropping means you are leaving the class early (before the drop deadline) and there will be no documentation on your transcript. See QCC Academic Calendar for dates. Withdrawing means you are leaving the course midway (after the drop deadline). If you drop a course (leave early), your college transcript does not show that you enrolled in the course. If you withdraw from a course (leave late), your college transcript will show a W (Withdraw). Earning a W will not affect your GPA (grade point average) or add to your total credits. That said, too many Ws on your transcript does not look good. To avoid that, talk to your professor early if you have questions or concerns about the course.
Check the academic calendar at QCC to learn the Add/Drop and Withdraw Deadlines. Set a reminder on your calendar too, just in case.
Resources and Access to QCC
As an ECS student you have access to many resources.
Tutoring
Tutoring is available after school every day, Monday through Friday, at Southbridge High School. In addition, QCC provides onsite tutoring and online tutoring 24 hours a day, seven days a week through their BlackBoard portal. As part of the ECS Support Program, QCC tutoring is available every Wednesday during the school day.
ECS Support Program
The Early College Southbridge Support Program is a class that takes place on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, periods 7 and 8, when you are not in class (you are in class Tuesdays and Thursdays, periods 7 and 8). The ECS Support program consists of Structured Student Support Sessions (4S), which engage with key skills that will support a student's success: motivational speeches, time management, listening in class, how to better use a textbook, and many other skills. You will also have structured learning time to apply these skills to your learning, studying, and homework. You will be able to work individually and as a group with other students taking the same classes. Students in the 11th and 12th grades will benefit from OneGoal classes and, for students taking QCC Math and English, corequisite support courses will be offered during the ECS Support Program. The ECS Support Program will also include academic and career advising sessions so that you can reflect on your experiences, your career goals, and yourself. QCC Tutoring is integrated into the program so that services are available every Wednesday.
OneGoal is a student support class that starts in the 11th grade and continues with a student into their first year in college. The program is designed to teach students important college knowledge, study skills, and support them into college. OneGoal is a requirement for all ECS students.
Technology Resources are available and even required for some classes. Please read your syllabus to learn what you require to be successful in your class.
Blackboard is an important resource that most of your college courses will use. There are other virtual resources and support available to students at each college. You can learn more about Blackboard and other access here: QCC
QCC Library resources are available to all ECS students. In addition to borrowing books and having access to online materials, the library provides many learning resources to help with research projects and learning skills. Students will receive a tour of all library resources in their FYE course.
College & Career Supports
An essential part of being an ECS student is having access to College and Career connections. That means ECS purposefully integrates career experiences into the courses and the programs. Career Exploration comes in the following forms:
ECS Support Program - Every Friday you will engage in college and career advising as part of the ECS Support Program.
Career Explorer - This tool offers an interest test along with real time market data on relevant careers and the market in your neighborhood. Students will be led through the program during the ECS Support Program. That said, you and your family can use it whenever you want! LINK
MyCAP - MyCAP is a tool that is part of Naviance. MyCAP is a student-centered, multi-year planning tool designed to provide students with ongoing opportunities to plan for their academic, personal/social, and career success. Students will be introduced to MyCAP in the 9th grade, which they will use until they graduate high school.
Professional visits to the classroom - As part of the program, your professor will invite industry professionals to the class so that they can share their experiences and career trajectory. There is no better way of learning about a potential career than speaking with a professional.
One-Day Career Exploration Field Trips - There will be career field trip opportunities where you can explore a career on location.
Summer Internships - You will also have the opportunity to participate in internships connected to your academic pathway. Most internships will be seven weeks long and paid!
Students with Disabilities/Accommodations
Do you have an IEP or 504 plan with your high school? You should consult with a student accessibility services specialist at the college where you are taking your course.
Quinsigamond Community College – Student Accessibility Services
Please note!
- IEP and 504 plan accommodations at the high school do not automatically transfer to the college and may be different at the college.
- It is your responsibility as the student to apply for an accommodation. It is not the responsibility of your high school or your parent/guardian.
- Students are required to complete paperwork for an accommodation each semester they take a course.
We encourage you to contact accessibility services and meet with one of the caring professionals to discuss your accommodation. During the first week of classes, the Week of Welcome, students will be oriented and reminded of procedures.
Tech Support
QCC has a number of resources to help set up student technology services and solve common tech problems. To set-up your QCC Email, Blackboard, and Microsoft Office, please visit QCC Computer Support for helpful guides and contact information.
During the Week of Welcome, students will be walked through the process of activating and using these services.
Student Code of Conduct
As an ECS Student you are a welcome part of the QCC community. We encourage you to take advantage of the resources on the QCC Southbridge and QCC Worcester campuses (library, tutoring center, career center, and even the fitness center). We also expect you to behave like a mature college student, which includes paying attention in class, coming to class prepared, respecting others, and helping to build a civil community. Following the “Golden Rule” – Treat others the way you would like to be treated – is good advice for every situation in life. Think about if you were the other person – the professor, the cafeteria staff, and the student sitting next to you – and help build our community together. We know you will; this is just a reminder that character counts!
That said, you are responsible for reading and understanding the code of conduct at QCC. This will also be reviewed during the Week of Welcome.
Applying to QCC as a Senior
As an ECS Student you have earned college credits at QCC. The next step is applying to college to earn a certificate, associate's degree, and/or a bachelor's degree. It is best to talk to your school counselor to learn more about the process. They are experts and the process requires a discussion. With that in mind, we want to connect you to two important resources. You will also have access to QCC advisors during the ECS Support Program.
Commonwealth Commitment – Paying for college just got easier! Learn more about locking in a low tuition rate and getting money back after earning a bachelor's degree.
QCC Admissions – Learn about requirements, information sessions, and apply to QCC. As an ECS Student we have invested in each other. We welcome you to continue your journey at QCC. In 2022, Quinsigamond Community College was ranked best community college in Massachusetts by Intelligent.com, an online source for program rankings and higher education planning.
Transferring QCC credit to another college
Are you looking to transfer the QCC credits you earned through ECS to another college? If you earned credits at QCC, they are there waiting for you if you become a QCC student. To transfer your QCC credits to another college, you must request an official transcript from QCC and have the transcript sent to the college you will be attending.
The majority of the credits you earn through Early College Southbridge transfer to other Massachusetts state colleges and universities that have similar courses and programs. See list of state institutions here.
If you are planning to attend a private university in Massachusetts or a university outside of Massachusetts, please contact their admissions office to learn if your QCC credits will transfer. Let them know that you have an official transcript from QCC with credits you earned at QCC while still in high school. Learn about their transfer policies before you apply. It will help you make decisions on where to apply.
Best Practices
College is a new environment and here are some best practices that will help you to succeed in class.
- 100% attendance in class
- Read your syllabus, which will indicate your assignments, deadlines, and professor’s contact information
- Check your QCC email daily (the professor may email you). You may want to set up automatic forwarding to your personal email, if you don’t think you will remember to check it.
- Talk to your professor after class, virtually or via email. Tell them your interests and ask them questions about what you don’t understand.
- Check in regularly with your school counselor and the Early College Liaison.
- Develop a network in your class so you can discuss the class with others, ask someone for notes if you missed a class, and study together.
College Vocabulary
Sometimes the biggest barriers to success can be understanding language that college professors and staff think you understand. Here is a short list of things that may be confusing.
Associate’s Degree – An associate’s degree is considered a two-year degree that prepares students for entry into a specific profession through a guided pathway, or, serves as the first two years towards earning a bachelor’s degree. An associate’s degree is a degree in higher education.
Bachelor's Degree – A bachelor’s degree is considered a four-year degree that prepares students for a wide range of careers and for a master’s degree. A bachelor’s degree is often an expectation for most professional careers. A bachelor’s degree is a degree in higher education.
Certificate Program – A certificate program is an educational experience where students take one or several collegiate courses that earn them a specialized credential. While this is not a degree program, it awards students a credential for a specific skill. Examples include, but are not limited to, Professional Drone Operation, IT Help Desk Technician, and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). Often a certificate program can be part of an associate's degree.
GPA – Your GPA is your grade point average. That means the average of all the final grades you have earned. For example, if you earned an A in Math 101 and a B+ in Psychology, your GPA is an A-, but most people will say your GPA is a 3.7. Grades in college, A through F, are converted to numbers on a scale from 4.0 to 0.0. Read your syllabus and ask your professor what the grade scale is for your specific class.
Lecture – Lectures are the part of the class when the professor teaches you information through longer descriptions and explanations. It is expected that you allow the professor time to lecture in class uninterrupted. If you have questions, raise your hand and ask.
Syllabus – A syllabus is a document that the professor creates that describes the class, which includes course descriptions, learning objectives, assignments, assessments, grading scale, required readings, deadlines, and weekly topics. Many professors post their syllabus on Blackboard and hand out a copy in class. Read the syllabus on the first day of class. If you have questions, ask the professor.
Transcript – In high school you have a report card; in college you have transcripts. They record your classes, the number of credits for each course, the total number of credits earned from all classes, and your GPA.
**If you have questions and don’t understand a word or concept in class, ask the professor. If you don’t understand it, mostly likely the rest of the class doesn’t either.**
We are proud of you for taking the first steps toward college! This is a fun and challenging opportunity. We are here to help you succeed! Contact us with any questions. [email protected]