Waipahu High To Earn More College Credits

A newly funded college credit initiative will help students at a dozen Hawaii high schools, including Waipahu, to complete six or more college credits before they graduate.

The Early College High School Program was announced last month, supported by $1.2 million in resources and grants for tuition and related expenses from Harold K.L. Castle Foundation and GEAR UP Hawaii. Over a three-year period, students at the 12 schools can take the courses while receiving technical assistance and guidance past barriers to college and career success.

“High school students who graduate with at least six college credits are more likely to enroll, persist and succeed in higher education,” said Karen Lee, executive director of Hawaii P-20 Partnerships for Education, which is coordinating the effort. “As a result, this moves us closer to achieving our state’s goal of having 55 percent of working-age adults with a two- or four-year college degree by 2025.”

Besides Waipahu, the selectees are Farrington, Kaimuki, Waianae, Kailua, Molokai, Kapaa, Kauai, Hilo, Kealakehe, Kohala and Waiakea high schools. Early college courses will begin in spring semester.