WALL, NJ (May 23, 2017) – Public school officials from Middletown, Wall and Keyport joined representatives from Brookdale Community College and the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders on May 23 to officially announce new early-college high school programs set to launch in each district this fall.

The programs will allow eligible students in each district to earn a Brookdale associate degree by the time they graduate from high school.

Students will augment traditional high school coursework with advanced placement (AP) or college-level courses throughout their freshman, sophomore and junior years before becoming full-time college students at Brookdale’s Lincroft campus in their senior year. Successful graduates will finish high school ready to begin their junior year of college.

Similar early-college programs are already underway in the Asbury Park, Hazlet and Neptune public school districts and at St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel. The early-college programs in Middletown and Wall will be the first in college history to offer students the option of an associate in science degree.

“We are extremely excited to partner with three outstanding Monmouth County school districts and help provide this rare opportunity to local students,” said Brookdale president Maureen Murphy, who joined district officials to sign off on the new programs at Brookdale’s Wall location on May 23. “We look forward to welcoming the inaugural members of these new early college programs into the Brookdale family.”

The Middletown Township Early College Academy is expected to admit an inaugural class of approximately 25 students each from Middletown North and Middletown South high schools in the fall of 2017. Students will complete advanced placement courses and a college-level human development course at their respective high schools during their freshman and sophomore years before studying on Brookdale’s Lincroft campus to complete their degree program. Students will have the option of earning an associate of arts degree in social sciences or an associate of science degree.

“The Early College Academy is a tremendous academic opportunity for our high school students to receive college credits while still attending high school,” said Middletown Township Public School District superintendent William George III. “This experience will provide both a financial and academic advantage for their continued education when the students transition to college and career.”

The Wall Crimson College Academy is expected to admit an inaugural class of between five and 10 students in the fall of 2017. Students will complete advanced placement courses and a college-level human development course at Wall High School during their freshman and sophomore year before studying at Brookdale’s Wall location in their junior year. Wall Crimson College Academy members will become full-time college students and complete their studies on Brookdale’s Lincroft campus in their senior year. Students will have the option of earning an associate of arts degree in social sciences or an associate of science degree.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this opportunity to the students of Wall High School,” said Wall Township School District superintendent Cheryl Dyer. “The Crimson College Academies add to the list of reasons why ‘it’s a great day to be a Knight!’ I’m very proud of the work that our administrative team did in collaboration with Brookdale Community College to design these programs and we’re extremely excited to welcome our inaugural class.”

The Keyport Rising Stars Early College Academy is expected to welcome an inaugural class of 10 students in the fall of 2017. Students will work at Keyport High School during their freshman and sophomore years and begin studying at the college’s Hazlet location in their junior year. Rising Stars members will become full-time college students and complete their studies on Brookdale’s Lincroft campus in their senior year. Successful graduates will earn a Brookdale associate of arts degree in social sciences.

“The Keyport Public School District strives to inspire our diverse student body to achieve academic excellence and to make positive contributions to society,” said Keyport School District superintendent Lisa Savoia. “Providing our students with the opportunity to graduate from Keyport High School at the same time as attaining an associate degree from Brookdale Community College will certainly prepare them for the future.”