College Now: Palatine-area high school juniors now earning two degrees at once

The first cohort of more than 40 students started classes in August under College Now, a new partnership that allows high school juniors in three suburbs to earn an Associate in Arts degree and a high school diploma at the same time.

The program is a collaboration between Township High School District 211, Township High School District 214, Barrington Community Unit School District 220 and Harper College. It is designed to be affordable and to move students ahead academically.

The students who are part of the program became Harper College students as soon as they enrolled. They take college courses at Harper in the morning and then return to their high schools in the afternoon for English, math and elective classes. Travel time and tutoring and academic support sessions are built into the schedule. During their senior year, the students will take only courses on Harper's Palatine campus.

The per-semester cost is reduced for College Now students. They pay $250 to their high school each semester. The first cohort will have the chance to graduate with an associate degree in May 2028. From there, students can transfer to four-year universities as college juniors.

To be accepted into the program, high school sophomores must meet academic and attendance standards through the application process and complete college testing requirements.

Zahra Khawari, 16, is a junior at Fremd High School in Palatine and a participant. She was already planning to accelerate her education through high school courses that grant college credit, but College Now offered a way to go further. She is interested in becoming a mental health attorney and said the early start to college is appealing.

"This is a really good opportunity to get ahead and save a lot of money and time," she said.

Michael Gorrie, 16, from Prospect High School, said he was eager for the independence that comes with being a college student.

"I get to jump-start that experience," said the Arlington Heights resident, whose career plans include art and photography. "The big factor in doing this was saving time. I can get further along in my life a lot quicker."

Two students from Barrington High School, Linden Roberts and Laila Ephraim, both 16, are planning to start a study group for the entire College Now cohort so students are not separated between high schools.

"We can plan things together and be able to support each other," Linden said. "We plan to start this at Harper so that everybody in College Now can do it."

Laila is seeking to become a personal injury attorney, following in the footsteps of her aunt and grandfather.

"What appealed to me was the challenging aspect. I like trying new things," she said. "And the fact that it will get me ahead in college, graduate earlier and move on to law school."

The College Now program hosted a virtual family orientation in early August, followed by a student orientation at Harper the week before classes began. Students met the college's dual credit staff, academic advisors and academic support center employees, who offered tips for success. They also took part in a campus scavenger hunt designed to connect them with places to study, eat and socialize.

"We are thrilled to begin the first cohort of College Now and proud to work with Harper's high school partners on a program centered on affordability and academic excellence," said Dr. Sean Warren-Crouch, director of college transitions at Harper. "We know the students are excited to be on Harper's campus, but a little nervous about meeting people and the forthcoming workload. That's why we're doing so much to ease their transition and provide support during their journey as Harper students."

For more information, visit harpercollege.edu/collegenow.