To: Parents/Guardians of Orange Preparatory Academy 8th Grade Students

Re: Essex County College (ECC) Dual Enrollment Program - Cohort 2

Orange Public Schools has partnered with Essex County College to offer the college experience to students and afford them the opportunity to earn an Associate Degree from Essex County College while still in high school. Students will receive college coursework throughout their high school years totaling 60 credits that are transferrable to most major colleges and universities. Upon completion of the program, students will graduate high school with an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts from Essex County College. This program is at no cost to students and their families. All tuition, fees, books, and materials costs are covered by the Orange Public Schools.

Acceptance into this program is limited and will require a four-year commitment that will begin summer before freshman year at Orange Preparatory Academy and finish upon graduation from Orange High School. Students are required to maintain on-time attendance to each course. Courses will be offered each summer as well as before and/or after school each semester during the school year. Students will be selected based on an application process, including a review of student records and a demonstration of commitment by the student and their family.

Please join us for an information session on Saturday, January 25, 2020, at 10:30 AM in the Orange Preparatory Academy Auditorium. The program will be outlined, questions will be answered, and applications will be available. This session is the first step to showing your commitment to this program. Enrollment is only open to
current Orange Preparatory Academy eighth grade students in the graduating class of 2024.

Please do not miss the chance to learn about this exceptional opportunity for Orange Preparatory Academy students to earn a free college education while still in high school!

Educationally yours,
Mr. Dana Gaines, Principal

Click here for letter to Grade 8 families in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole.