Nashua High Schoolers to Graduate With College Transcript

NASHUA - Running Start has been operating in Nashua for nearly 15 years, awarding college and high school credit for college-level courses taught in the high schools by high school teachers. It’s one of several “dual enrollment” opportunities high schoolers have along with taking colleges classes online through “eStart,” and enrolling in regular classes on the college campus at a discounted rate through “Early College.”

Every year more Running Start classes are added to the high school course roster, and more students learn about the benefits of taking free or low-cost college classes before graduation.

“As soon as I heard about it I knew I had to take advantage of this,” said Mariana Renteria, 18, a senior at Nashua High School South. Currently focused on careers in education, Mariana said she will be the first generation in her family to go to college, and participating in Running Start will help make that possible. “It’s changed my view of college a lot, and working with kids and helping them is really what I see myself doing now,” she said.

So far, she’s earned credits in business and early childhood education courses, “I will be walking out of high school with 6 college credits, and so can any students that puts their mind to it,” she said, and urged other students to join the program, “It’s something I believe every student should take advantage of; it is not at all hard it is made for you to succeed and do your very best.”

At Nashua High School North, 16-year-old junior James Foss Fitzpatrick has been taking classes in the Computer Aided Drafting Design, or CADD, program. So far, James said Running Start has given him a taste of what college will be like, “When I’m in a Running Start class, I feel like I am actually in a college class. We work and learn in a very professional setting and we work on real-world things.”

James emphasized that Running Start is accessible for all students; not just for top achieving students. Students can also gauge their interest in different subjects while earning college credits, without the college-level price tag. For instance, Running Start helped James choose mechanical engineering as his major after high school. And while the credit is awarded by NCC, it can be transferred to hundreds of colleges and universities around the country. “Graduating high school with this credit will help me wherever I end up going to college,” said James.

With Governor Chris Sununu’s STEM Scholarship, up to two Running Start classes classified as STEM (science, technology, engineering, or math) are free each academic year. The regular cost is $150, or $75 with a need-based scholarship. Compare that with the average cost of $1,782 for a 3-credit course, <<hyperlink “average cost” to >> and the savings quickly adds up. At NCC, the regular per-credit cost is $215, making a typical 3-credit course about $645.

Fall semester is coming to a close - explore what Running Start classes are available at your high school this spring. To learn more, contact NCC’s Dual Enrollment Coordinator Patrick McGinnis at pmcginnis@ccsnh.edu, or (603) 578-6915.

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