Superintendent: Early college expands access and lowers costs but strains small high school programs

Bridal Olsen Farrell, superintendent of the Slate Valley Unified Union School District, told an Education Committee session on Feb. 27, 2025, that Vermont’s early college program offers substantial academic and economic benefits to students but presents operational challenges for small rural high schools.

"The early college program provides substantial economic advantages both for families and for Vermont's economy," Farrell said, adding that the program gives high school seniors "tuition free college credits" and can reduce student loan debt and accelerate entry into the workforce.

Farrell said the district she oversees — which includes Fairhaven Union Middle and High School and serves students from Fairhaven, Castleton, Benson, Orwell, West Haven and Hubberton — has seen 69 students participate in early college over the past four years, and that 28 of this year’s 94 seniors attended early college before two returned to the high school in January.

Those numbers, she told lawmakers, have practical effects on high school offerings and operations. "Between early college and work based learning and CTE, more than 50% of our senior class does not attend school on campus," Farrell said. That reduction in…