New program allows Mount Vernon HS students to earn college credits

Starting next fall students at Mount Vernon High School can begin earning college credits as part of a partnership between Fairfax County Public Schools, Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University.

Students at Mount Vernon can now enroll in the early college pathway program, with classes beginning in the 2020-2021 school year. The dual enrollment courses will include English, History, Math, Political Science, Early Childhood Careers, Theatre and Cybersecurity. Students can take the courses while still working toward their high school diploma.

NOVA President Anne Kress said the program will help accelerate Mount Vernon students’ entry into college, allowing them to earn credits at NOVA that are also transferable to George Mason.

“That passport will allow them to, in some cases, save the cost of more than a years worth of college education so they’ll be able to begin at NOVA in advanced standing,” Kress said at Saturday’s Mount Vernon Town Hall at Mount Vernon High School.

Officials from FCPS, NOVA and George Mason attended a ceremony on Friday at Mount Vernon to mark the kickoff of the program. Local political leaders, including Mount Vernon Supervisor Dan Storck, Lee District Supervisor Rodney Lusk, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay, were also in attendance.

“It’s an important step in bringing accessible, affordable higher education access to the Route One Corridor and I’m so excited for our students and their families,” McKay said.

Mount Vernon District school board representative Karen Corbett Sanders said FCPS and the board have been looking to create this opportunity for Mount Vernon-area students for the past four years.

“The program is located at Mount Vernon … because there is a recognition that the Richmond Highway Corridor does not have easy access to community college courses,” Corbett Sanders said.

She stressed that program will be offered at no-cost, and said that a change in state policy allowed the program to become a reality.

“We were able to introduce this program as a result of changes at the state level allowing industry experts authorized to teach at the community or college level to teach dual enrollment at the high school level,” Corbett Sanders said.

FCPS will look to expand the dual enrollment program in the future.

“We have a desire to expand dual enrollment opportunities in connection with NOVA and GMU across each of our high schools, and we will continue to work in collaboration to support our students across the division,” FCPS spokesman John Torre said.