Monmouth County Students Receive College Degrees Before Diplomas

MONMOUTH COUNTY, NJ — High school students throughout Monmouth County who augmented their traditional high school curriculum with college-level courses through Brookdale Community College’s Early College High School program earned their associate degree before graduating high school.

"We are honored and excited to congratulate ninety-one high school students from nine schools throughout Monmouth County that graduated from college this year," said Brookdale President Dr. David Stout. "These partnerships have saved students both time and money in their pursuit of a college degree while preparing them for the highest level of success after graduation."

Through the ECHS program, graduates earned 60 college credits to obtain their associate degree that transfers easily to four-year colleges.

“This is an affordable option for students to get their college degree and accelerate their path toward a bachelor’s,” said Dr. Sarah McElroy, executive director of Career and Transfer Pathways at Brookdale.

During the high school student's freshman and sophomore years, the Brookdale professors teach the college courses at the high school to complete the first 30 college credits. After that, students begin taking courses at Brookdale’s regional locations in their junior year before becoming full-time Brookdale students and completing their senior year on the College’s Lincroft campus.

"Students who graduated from the program are prepared for the continued rigors of college," said Margaret Kane, the Principal at Saint John Vianney (SJV). “We are confident that our graduates will succeed as they move on to the next stage of their education.”

The Early College High School academy prepares students to transfer to any university in the country.