High school is a critical time in a student’s life because it’s the time for them to learn how to be independent, develop good study habits, and perfect their time management skills so they can be prepared for their college years ahead. While most schools prepare students by merely describing the rigorous demands of college, at Connecticut River Academy we believe the best way to prepare our students for college is by immersing them in a college environment.

At Connecticut River Academy (CTRA), students have the opportunity take college-level courses at Goodwin College and earn up to 30 college credits while still in high school. This is called an early college model, which enables students to get a feel for the college curriculum without having to deal with the full-on responsibility of being a college student.

Here are three basic steps to finding and enrolling in an early college model high school:

1. Research the best options for your teen.

There are many different types of high school educational models available out there to fit varying student needs. Some students prefer the more traditional classroom environment offered at a public high school, and some students thrive in the intimate, personalized settings that private schools offer. However, if your teen is interested in a unique learning environment that allows them to earn college credits in high school, then a magnet school like Connecticut River Academy might be the best fit. CTRA’s early college learning model is a nontraditional high school format that provides students with the opportunity to enroll in college level courses during grades 11 and 12 of high school.

2. Apply to the school.

If you and your teenager have done the research and are ready to get a head start on earning those college credits in high school, then your teen should apply to the Connecticut River Academy today. To apply, you simply need to fill out the electronic application through the State Regional School Choice Office’s website. Once you submit your application, acceptance into Connecticut River Academy will be determined through a random lottery process. The application timeframe typically runs from the beginning of November to the end of February each year for admittance into the magnet school program that following fall. If students have been accepted, they will be notified in early spring.

3. Enroll in college courses.

Once enrolled at Connecticut River Academy, juniors and seniors will have the opportunity to earn up to 30 transferable college credits at Goodwin College. If students maintain a high level of academic achievement, they can earn up to a year of college credits in high school. They can enroll in a wide range of advanced college courses in high school, including environmental science, early childhood education, public speaking, criminal justice, human services, business administration, and advanced manufacturing.

The best way to prepare your teen for college is by letting them get a taste of the collegiate curriculum even before becoming a college student. By choosing an early college high school like Connecticut River Academy, your student can explore his or her interests and be well-prepared to pursue and succeed in any college program. Not to mention, it may give your teen a competitive advantage in the college application process, and a leg-up in his or her early college years.

Learn more about how your teen can earn college credits in high school at Connecticut River Academy. Apply online, sign up for a Parent Information Session, or stop by an Open House.