Milford Becomes Early College Option in Expansion of State Program

The Healey-Driscoll
Administration this month announced what it said is the largest Early College
expansion in state history with the approval of 29 new Early
College partnerships, adding 1,692 additional seats this
fall. This expansion followed a vote by the Early College
Joint Committee of the Boards of Higher Education and Elementary and
Secondary Education.

With
this latest round of designations, UMass Amherst, Massachusetts
Maritime Academy, Roxbury Community College and Regis
College are entering into Early College partnerships for the
very first time. Further, 23 high schools are
launching their first Early College programs. In
total, 101 high schools—one out of every four in Massachusetts—are
partnering with 35 higher education
institutions to support more than 12,000 Early
College students in the upcoming 2026-27 school year.

“The
ongoing growth of Early College in Massachusetts expands
opportunities for students, supports larger affordability efforts by
reducing time to degree, and connects learners with careers,”
said Board
of Higher Education Chair Chris Gabrieli. “Governor
Healey's commitment to expanding Early College reflects a recognition
that this is not simply a successful program—it is a strategy for
growing economic mobility and meeting workforce needs.”

Families
can use the Massachusetts
School Finder to
search for schools near them that offer Early College. For more
information on Early College programs, visit DESE’s website.

At present, the sole participating high school in the vicinity of Franklin and Medway, is Milford High School, according to information on the DESE site. Milford has 1249 students and offers school choice in grade 9-12. In partnership with the MetroWest College Planning Collaborative, MassBay Community College, and Framingham State University, this program offers enriching experiences designed to prepare students for future academic success. More information is available here.