Early College Program

• Apply to both Early College and Carroll Community College 
• Complete 9th & 10th grade requirements, including statewide testing (English 10, Algebra I, Geometry, Biology, and Government)
• Meet College & Career Ready standards as defined by CCPS, Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE), and the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future
• Have a 3.0 GPA (through 10th grade) & submit a transcript
• Get a recommendation letter from your CCPS school counselor
• Provide your own transportation to Carroll Community College

• Meet with a Carroll Academic Advisor and attend a Group Advising Session (offered twice a month, March–July)
• Register early! EC students get priority registration one week before new students if they’ve attended a Group Advising Session
• Attend Early College Orientation in August (includes a Parent Session)

While we are committed to supporting every student’s success in the Early College (EC) Program, some situations may require a student to return to their high school. These include:

• Failing key courses: If an EC student fails MATH-113 or does not earn a C or better in ENGL-101 in Fall 1, or fails ENGL-102 or MATH-115 in Fall 2, they must take these courses at their high school in the spring to meet graduation requirements.
• Academic probation: If an EC student’s GPA falls below 2.0, they will be placed on academic probation. They have one semester to raise their GPA. If they do not, they will return to their high school.
• Falling behind on credits: EC students must complete 29 credits in their first year. If they do not, they will return to their high school.
• Withdrawing from a course: If an EC student withdraws from a class, they can either return to high school or stay in the EC program but must retake the course at their own expense. CCPS will not cover the cost of a repeated course.
• Alternative credit options: If an EC student has earned Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Enrollment, or CLEP credit for a required course, Carroll Community College will accept these credits toward their degree.

Yes, the deadline to submit all Early College documents along with your Carroll application is June 15.

All CCR students that apply to the Early College program are accepted.

Because there are a variety of majors and transfer options, it is best to meet with an advisor to craft your plan.

Early College students follow a full-time college schedule which replaces their traditional high school coursework. Because of this, students cannot add additional high school elective classes. For questions about specific participation options, please speak with your high school counselor.

Yes, student athletes need to make sure they do not schedule any classes during practice or games.

No, High school students are unable to participate in athletics at Carroll Community College.

There is limited flexibility depending on a student’s circumstances. The student should speak to the Early College advisor.

Yes, students would have to pay out of pocket to take summer or winter classes and stay on track with their classes. English and math classes must be taken during the academic year to ensure high school graduation requirements are met.

• If a student needs a PE class they could take PHED 101 (which is a 3 credit class) instead of HLTH 101 or take a 1 credit PHED (for example PHED 107 yoga) in addition to the early college classes.
• A science class switch can take place if a different science class is better suited for the student’s transfer plans. All switches have to be approved by the Early College Advisor.

All early college students will receive a seat for their required classes. If a student has scheduling restrictions such as needing morning classes, online only classes, etc. they should register as soon as registration opens. Carroll guarantees a seat, but not a specific time or teaching modality.

• If an EC student fails their 1^st math class or does not earn a C or better in ENGL-101 in Fall 1 or fails ENGL-102 or their 2nd math class in Fall 2, they are no longer eligible to participate in EC and must return to their high school in the spring to take these courses there to meet graduation requirements.
• If a student fails another EC class they can retake it during the winter or the summer of that year at their own expense. If they pass it they may remain in the program, if they do not pass it, they must return to High School.

EC students must maintain a 2.0 GPA. If an EC student’s GPA falls below 2.0, they will be placed on academic probation. They have one semester to raise their GPA. If they do not, they will return to their high school.

Students are required to attend the Early College workshops offered monthly throughout the academic year. Each workshop focuses on topics such as adjusting to college life, time management, financial aid, transfer info, etc. The workshops also give students in the program the opportunity to interact with other students in the program.

Students can leave the Early College Program if they decide it isn’t a good fit for them. We recommend that they finish the semester out and then work with their high school counselor to plan out their return to the high school. All grades at Carroll become part of students’ permanent academic record. If a student withdraws from classes mid-semester, a W appears on their transcripts indicating that.

The student also needs to submit their Carroll application. Once both have been done and processed, the Early College Advisor will contact the student and counselor to let them know the next steps.