District 211, Harper College launch "College Now" dual-associate program for juniors and seniors

Township High School District 211 presented a regional partnership with Harper College and neighboring districts to launch College Now, a two‑year early-college option that will let qualifying juniors and seniors finish high school and graduate with an associate's degree.

Michelle Napier, District 211 director of college and career readiness, described the program as an opportunity for students to earn two credentials instead of one and said national evidence shows early-college programs improve college enrollment and completion. She said the inaugural cohort will begin junior year in fall 2026 and that students must meet readiness benchmarks, including a minimum 2.0 grade-point average with no D's or F's, meet Harper placement requirements in sophomore year, and maintain a C or better in college courses.

Napier said the district plans a 50-student cohort for District 211 in the first year; participants will pay a family contribution of $250 per semester (about $1,000 over two years) to cover part of tuition and estimated textbooks. The junior year structure will include mornings at Harper with afternoons at the home high school; senior year students will be fully on the Harper campus but may continue to participate in high-school extracurriculars.

Board members asked detailed questions about selection and capacity, wait lists, transportation, special scheduling and supports. Mr. Van Dyke asked how the district would select from applicants if demand exceeds the initial capacity; Napier said applicants must meet eligibility and the districts scaled capacity based on Harper's ability and partner-district experience. The district said accepted students would be scheduled in Harper seats and that, because of those seat assignments, late dropouts could not simply be replaced by wait-listed applicants after scheduling is final.

On transportation, the district said it intends to provide transportation during junior year and allow driving senior year; exact logistics remain under development. Officials said the program will work with existing memoranda of understanding with Harper and that dual-credit arrangements already in place will help cover program costs.

District leaders emphasized supports: counselors will monitor accepted students, Harper will provide college supports and the district will focus on readiness checks through sophomore year. Napier and Dr. Judith Campbell, superintendent, said the program is not mandatory for all students and that District 211 will continue to offer multiple pathways.

College Now is designed for the district's current 10th-grade cohort to apply; the online application will open Oct. 1 with information nights and decision notifications in late October. The district described plans to expand the program if it proves successful.