Early College
Program Academics

Earning free college credits in high school starts here. Enroll now for the 25/26 academic school year. While there are application deadlines every term, the Early College Program offers rolling enrollment to ensure a flexible experience for students. 

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Early College at Summit Learning Charter is a dual enrollment program that lets students experience college-level academics while still in high school. It’s an opportunity for them to challenge themselves while earning their Oregon high school diploma, and prepare for the next stage of their academic journey.

How Early
College Works

Early College gives students a head start on their higher education – it’s essentially a combined high school and college experience. Any classes taken through the student’s chosen community college will earn them credits toward their high school diploma, and allow them to start building their college transcript as well.

Custom Course Schedule

With the help of their Summit Early College Advisor, they’ll build a course schedule that fits their life, meets graduation requirements, and lets them explore subjects they’re interested in – from computer science and game development, to fashion design and calligraphy.

PSAT/SAT/ACT Prep

As an official administrator of the PSAT and SAT, Summit makes it easy for students to register for these exams. In addition, Summit offers workshops to help students prepare for exam day.

Early College Eligibility

At Summit Learning Charter, we’re all about helping students take charge of their future and setting them up for success. In our 15+ years of experience, we’ve seen that successful Early College students demonstrate their readiness by:

  • Consistently completing classes on time;
  • Staying on track to graduate; and
  • Maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher in academically rigorous courses.

But college readiness isn’t just about grades. The students who thrive in Early College are excited about the opportunity to take college classes, ready to dive into dynamic learning environments, and are confident in their communication, self-advocacy, and organizational skills.

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Choose Your Schedule

Full Time Schedule

A full-time college schedule gives students the freedom to focus entirely on college-level curriculum each term. While many students take this path to earn transferable credits, explore a trade, or work toward an associates degree, it’s also an excellent opportunity for those who simply want a more academically challenging high school experience.

Summit Learning Charter covers tuition and fees for up to 12 credits per term (excluding summer) and provides up to $200 for books each term. Students work with their advisor to select in-person or virtual classes.

Blended Schedule

A blended early college schedule is a great fit for students who want greater flexibility to accommodate their academic and personal goals. Students get the best of both worlds with a schedule consisting of community college courses combined with Summit’s high school curriculum offerings of 200+ classes. By mixing and matching courses from their chosen community college and Summit’s catalog of virtual high school curriculum, blended students get the best of both worlds.

This option is great for:

  • Younger students who want to sample college classes before committing to a full course load;
  • Students with significant time commitments to athletics, extracurricular activities, or jobs, who need to balance their schoolwork around demanding schedules.

Frequently
Asked Questions

Still have questions?
See our FAQ page for more information or contact us directly.

Who is eligible for Early College?

Early College is open to high school students interested in earning free college credits and exploring advanced learning opportunities.

Do students have to complete all their high school graduation requirements to join Early College?

No, students don’t have to complete all their high school requirements before applying. As long as they are on track to graduate with their current credits and grade level, they can continue earning high school credits through the college classes they take.

How does the program work with community colleges?

Summit partners with nearly every community college in Oregon, sponsoring up to 12 credits of college coursework per term to align with their academic goals.

What support do students receive?

Students work with a dedicated SLC advisor to create a tailored education plan, navigate dual enrollment, and access resources for ACT/PSAT/SAT prep. Advisors also connect with students each term to check in on their progress, reflect on their experience, and help plan for what’s next.

How do students decide which classes to take?

Upon enrollment, each student is assigned to a Summit Advisor. Students work closely with advisors each term to assure that they’re meeting their high school requirements, while also exploring subjects and courses of interest.

Does Summit help pay for college textbooks?

Yes, Summit provides funds every term to help off-set the cost of books.

What is a full-time Early College Schedule?

There are many variations as to how we can build a schedule for learners depending on their goals, interests, and availability! Contact our registrar to discuss these options.

The First Step Toward
Their Dreams

Early College at Summit Learning Charter is the gateway to a brighter academic future. Take the leap today and start building the future you’ve always imagined.

Apply Today