Skip to main content

New Bedford Public Schools

Early College

Early College

Red and white logo for New Bedford Early College, featuring a shield and text.

New Bedford High School partners with Bristol Community College, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and Bridgewater State University to offer a robust Early College prorgam. Students in Early College at NBHS earn up to 21 college credits as part of the regular school day. All college classes are taught by college faculty at New Bedford High School or on campus at Bristol CC. Beginning in Fall 2026, some courses will also take place on the UMass Dartmouth campus.

Enrollment for Early College for the 2026-2027 school year has closed. Members of the class of 2028 who would like to join a waitlist for Early College should complete the Early College Interest Survey.

Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, sophomores may begin their Early College journey with a 1 credit introductory course and a semester-long college and career readiness course. While this program is at capacity for the upcoming school year, members of the class of 2029 are still eligible to enter Early College as juniors. Interested students should complete the Early College Interest Survey.

Eighth and ninth grade students who are interested in Early College are invited to complete the Early College Interest Survey at any time..

 

INTERESTED IN JOINING EARLY COLLEGE?
A young woman smiles while holding up a large t-shirt that says 'New Bedford High School Early College Student'.

New Bedford High School is proud to be a part of the Massachusetts Early College Initiative, bringing access to college completion and career success to our students, especially those traditionally underrepresented in higher education. The Early College program blends elements of high school and college to provide students with the opportunity to experience and complete college level academic coursework on a clear pathway while gaining exposure to a variety of career opportunities.

Students participating in the Early College program will have access to a wide range of support, including:

  • Academic, college planning, and career exploration support
  • Services as identified in a student's IEPs, 504 Plans, and required English Learner Services
  • Engaged and attentive faculty
  • A Peer Mentor
  • Academic Support services at the colleges, including tutoring
  • ...and much more!

EARLY COLLEGE PATHWAYS:

Business Administration
Health Sciences
Information Technology
Arts

Learn more about NBHS's Early College partnership with Bristol Community College here!

A young person stands in front of a school banner, smiling at the camera.

Jorja Bowman is a senior at New Bedford High School participating in the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Arts pathway. Aside from juggling a full schedule and her college class, Jorja is also a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, JROTC, book club, and peer mentoring. Jorja joined the Early College program to enhance her high school experience. “I wanted a challenge in my life, to expand my learning, and to go out of my comfort zone.”

Jorja has always been passionate about art and while she was in middle school, decided that she wanted to pursue a career as a graphic designer. She will be studying graphic design at UMass Dartmouth in the Fall. Jorja was excited to jumpstart her education and get a feel for the college experience by joining Early College because, “it made me feel that I already belonged to the college and that I was at home where I was supposed to be.”

In addition to earning credits, Jorja made connections with her peers, made new friends, tried new experiences, and achieved her dream of getting her art out into the world by participating in a group mural project. She highly recommends this special experience to any student who may be considering Early College.

ONE GOAL

As part of the Early College program, students are also enrolled with OneGoal, our partner in college and career planning. The OneGoal program is designed to help students navigate the exploration, application, and enrollment process of their chosen postsecondary paths. Students continue to receive support as they transition to their postsecondary path and throughout their first year after high school.

INTERESTED?

Fill out an interest survey here.

QUESTIONS? Get In Touch!

Email earlycollege@newbedfordschools.org
Early College Program Contacts:
Kathryn Grande, Early College Instructional Liaison
kgrande@newbedfordschools.org
Jennifer Pinhal, Early College School Counselor
jpinhal@newbedfordschools.org
Jennifer McGuire, College & Career Information Coordinator
jmcguire@newbedfordschools.org
Jeff Longo, Associate Principal NBHS
jlongo@newbedfordschools.org

A group of students and a teacher pose in a classroom, some wearing costumes.

Early College students take a break from the books to pose in their Halloween attire!

A group of students and a teacher pose for a photo in a classroom.

Students in the class of 2026 gathered in June to complete their Early College registrations and to enjoy a campus visit to their assigned higher education partner--Bristol Community College or UMass Dartmouth.

A group of students pose for a photo, wearing graduation stoles.

Members of the NBHS Early College Class of 2024 were recognized in a stole ceremony for the completion of year 2 of OneGoal, a college and career planning course taken as a complement to the college courses in Early College.

A group of people pose in front of a wall mural promoting recycling.

On December 14, 2023, eight Early College students who are part of the Commonwealth Collegiate Academy partnership with the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth installed a mural at Bedford Towers. The mural was designed and painted by students as the end of course project. These students are in a course called 2D Form and Surface taught by Visual Arts Professor Ian Miller and supported by NBHS Art Instructor Lynne LaBerge-Nelson.