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.

MA Alliance for EC logo

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..

 

A young woman smiles while holding up a large t-shirt that says 'New Bedford High School Early College Student'.

INTERESTED IN JOINING EARLY COLLEGE?
Watch a video to learn more about this opportunity!

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                                                          ...and much more

 

 

 

Congrats to the 2026-2027 Early College Ambassadors!

Early College Ambassadors are the face of the Early College program. They attend information sessions and events within our school and community bringing student voice to our program. They speak about their experiences, answer questions about Early College, and serve as a network of support to our younger and future generations of Early College students. Early College Ambassadors are beacons within our program and our New Bedford High School community, representing both the success and the potential of the NBHS Early College program. Congrats to this group of talented, inspired young leaders on being selected as the 2026-2027 Early College Ambassadors!

The Early College Advantage

Nearly 9 out of 10 graduates from the NBHS Early College Program enroll in college after graduation. This is significantly higher than the overall college enrollment for all NBHS graduates.

 

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.

 

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 
Amanda Campos, Early College Partner Teacher
acampos@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.