NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Monroe College’s Jumpstart Program Gives Local High School Students a Head Start on College
On Saturday, Jan. 30, approximately 400 students from more than 35 area high schools arrived at Monroe College’s campuses in the Bronx and New Rochelle for the first day of Jumpstart, an innovative 12-week program offering high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take courses taught by Monroe faculty for college credit – at no cost.
More than 750 area high school students had applied to take part in the Jumpstart program this semester. Some are interested in the academic challenge of taking college-level courses, while others are attracted to the cost and time benefits of earning tuition-free college credits before finishing high school. Others are simply eager to learn more about a particular area of potential career interest or expand their knowledge.
Regardless of their motivations, the advantages of dual enrollment programs like Jumpstart are well-established: students taking college courses during the second half of high school are more likely to go on to college and achieve higher GPAs once they get there. They are also more likely to complete their studies and earn their degree. Another key advantage to Monroe’s unique program: Jumpstart students are conditionally pre-approved to enroll at Monroe College once they finish high school.
During Saturday’s orientation, the newest class of students attended presentations from faculty across Monroe’s many schools of study to learn about specific Jumpstart courses being offered, and then took placement tests to assess individual student readiness for the programs. Instructors in Monroe’s School of Business and Accounting, School of Information Technology, School of Allied Health Professions, School of Criminal Justice, School of Education, School of Hospitality Management and the Culinary Arts, as well as in its Department of English and Social Sciences will teach the courses.
More than 11,000 area high school students have participated in the Jumpstart program at Monroe over the last 12 years, with the overwhelming majority continuing their education after high school. The program is open to any high school junior or senior that meets the eligibility requirements. Participating students are required to adhere to Monroe’s attendance policy and complete the mandatory assignments and exams in order to receive an official transcript and the three transferable course credits.
Jumpstart classes are held this semester on Saturdays from 8:45 to 12:45 on Monroe’s campus in New Rochelle.