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Minute Man expands dual-enrollment access; administration explores early-college designation
Summary
English teacher Danielle Tag briefed the committee on a growing dual-enrollment program that can yield up to 17 college credits (currently offered in five courses), cost students $128 per credit through Middlesex Community College, and enrolls roughly 110–150 student-course registrations this year; administration is exploring an early-college designation to broaden access.
Danielle Tag, an English teacher who runs Minute Man’s dual-enrollment offerings, told the school committee the program allows juniors and seniors to earn college credit during the school day through a partnership with Middlesex Community College.
"We offer five courses currently and they could graduate with 17 credits," Danielle said, noting that Middlesex is charging $128 per credit for the district’s courses. She said the program has been in place about 10 years and enrollment has quadrupled in that time; this year there are just under 150 course enrollments and about 110 students (some take multiple courses).
Danielle described advantages compared with AP: credits are guaranteed if students earn a passing grade (a C-minus or better) rather than relying on an exam score, and coursework is often taught in smaller classes by vetted high-school faculty rather than large college lectures. Selection currently relies on teacher recommendations and eligibility checks (minimum GPA, attendance, and evidence-based reading/writing test scores), though administrators said they will broaden outreach and adjust selection processes in January so interested students are not missed.
The administration also said it is investigating an "early college" designation that could add supports for underserved students and expand access—an option that requires substantial paperwork and state-level approvals.
Committee members praised the program’s growth and encouraged continued outreach to current families and alumni to publicize outcomes.
