PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Public Schools, Berkshire Community College, Southern Berkshire Public Schools, and Lee Public Schools were awarded funds to support partnerships between high schools and institutions of higher education. 

 

Governor Maura Healey announced the goal of enrolling 100,000 Early College students by 2036, the administration today is awarding $8.2 million in designated Early College grants that will support an additional 44 new partnerships between high schools and institutions of higher education. Early College allows high school students to take college classes and earn college credit at no cost to them or their families.  

 

In Berkshire County:

 

Early College Planning Grant Awardees (Fall 2026 launch) 

Early College Planning Grants Awardees (Applying for designation in Fall 2027) 

These funds will be used to support schools and higher education institutions as they design new Early College programs, expand existing programs, increase staffing and recruitment, and provide professional development. Early college programs are a part of the administration's "Reimagining High School" initiative, ensuring Massachusetts students are prepared for college or careers when they graduate high school. 

 

"Early College is one of the strongest tools we have to make higher education more affordable and accessible for our students," said Governor Maura Healey. "By doubling capacity in the next couple of years, we will be able to help more students—especially first-generation students and students of color—get a real head start on college and careers." 

 

The administration continues to expand designated Early College programs, adding 20 partnerships between high schools and institutes of higher education in 2025 and increasing the number of student participants by 3,700 since spring 2023, a 59 percent jump. More than 10,000 students are projected to participate in Early College this school year with the goal of providing Early College access to as many as 22,000 students by the end of the decade.  

 

Recently, the administration released new data analysis that shows the state’s investment in Early College is paying off, with 66 percent of Early College graduates immediately enroll in higher education after high school, with the majority enrolling at a public college or university in Massachusetts. Once enrolled in higher education, former Early College are also persisting - with 87 percent staying in college through a second term and 82 percent returning to college for a second year. 

 

This school year, there are 78 high schools and 32 higher education institutions participating in Early College. Families can use the Massachusetts School Finder to search for schools near them that offer Early College.