English @HACC
A brief overview of high school partnerships in English
William Penn, York
William Penn is the OG of high school partnerships in English. We offered our 0-level curriculum in English and math plus a foundational studies course. We provided admissions and financial aid support. The building included a branded "HACC wing."
Outcomes: Strong FY performance by students who matriculated at HACC; enhanced admissions pipeline; strong community connection
Current Status: No oversight after reorg.
Challenges: Relationship rebuilding; resources, including time; student resources (limited funds for credit-based experiences in high school)
Opportunities: Community partnership, wrap-around support, cohort building
McCaskey High, Lancaster
McCaskey and HACC faculty built an English curriculum to prepare students for college-level classes. Courses are taught by McCaskey faculty with collaboration from HACC English faculty on curricular matters.
Outcomes: Unclear. Participants who came to HACC after the program were never coded in Banner because the project remained in "ongoing pilot" status.
Current status: All HACC administrative support (deans and admissions counselor) are no longer here or no longer in an associated position. English faculty meet with instructors as requested; no HACC credit is involved in this program.
Challenges: Program oversight; student resources (limited funds for credit-based experiences in high school)
Opportunities: Community partnership, wrap-around support, cohort building
York County School of Technology, York
Perkins-supported program that is characterized as enrichment for students in a medical program at YTech. Features include a HACC visit plus short enrichment opportunities in the medical content area, math, and English. In English, the HACC faculty member is on site 6x over the term for college preparatory work, pipeline building, goal-setting, and relationship management.
Challenges: Fluidity (program began in Fall 2021, so we are building as we go); fragmented approach; small cohort; funding
Opportunities: Connecting a class with HACC faculty and facilities can build affinity. Ultimately, students who complete this type of English enrichment should be permitted to enroll at HACC through a smooth and seamless process that bypasses placement testing.
Lebanon High School, Lebanon
In 2019, HACC faculty met with LHS faculty to discuss co-curricular building and creating an opportunity for LHS students based on McCaskey model.
Status: Unknown. Lebanon faculty continue to teach CHS courses, but we have not been involved in their curricular renovation of their own courses since our original conversations. We do have an English faculty liaison in Lebanon to support Lebanon faculty and students.
Gettysburg High School
After long-term and careful planning, GHS and HACC created pathways for students to complete both HS and HACC courses on their way to both a high school diploma and associate degree.
Outcomes: Some students have completed an associate degree along with a high school diploma.
Status: Unknown. English faculty were involved in the original discussions to ensure students could complete their programs, but we have not been involved since then.
Harrisburg High School
Currently in conversation with Vic Rodgers and Jennifer Billman about creating a program modeled on both YTech and William Penn. We are in the early stages of discussion with new personnel at the high school.
HACC Opportunities
HACC can capitalize on our community connections to bring the community college into the community by offering both enrichment and credit-based opportunities in our service region.
Dedicating support to high school partnerships is critical to the health and sustainability of high school programs: Administrative, data-related, financial aid, and admissions support are crucial.