Nearly fifty Maine high school students visited Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) Wednesday for an orientation to the Spring Ahead program, a Maine Community College System (MCCS) early college initiative.
The Spring Ahead program is for high school students who want to get a jump start on preparing for the educational opportunities available to them after high school. Spring Ahead students complete their high school education while at SMCC, where they are enrolled in college-level courses and earn college credit. A dedicated college coach and peer mentor guide students throughout the year. The program is tuition-free with a book allowance.
SMCC’s Spring Ahead program started in 2019 with thirteen Deering High School students and has grown to nearly fifty students from fourteen area high schools for the 2023 Spring Semester.
The program has experienced notable success with 100% of the 2022 Spring Ahead class continuing onto college opportunities after graduating high school and an overall success rate of 85% since the program’s inception.
“Our Spring Ahead program has shown enormous success and we are excited to welcome its largest class to our South Portland and Brunswick classes this Spring semester,” SMCC President Joe Cassidy said. “This is an invaluable opportunity for students get a jump start on their college credentials and prepare for their futures after high school.”
Nearly 40% of Spring Ahead students have continued their studies at SMCC. The University of Southern Maine, University of New England, University of Maine in Orono, University of Massachusetts Boston and Endicott College are just a few of the other schools these students have gone on to attend.
“The exciting part about this program is that we are with each and every student throughout the entire process,” SMCC Spring Ahead Coach Patrick Haviland said. “Spring Ahead Coaches are engaged with the students and there to support their needs. We have frequent meetings with students to ensure they are comfortable with their experience.”
Haviland said a critical part of the program is to ensure each student is part of the SMCC community.
“We give each student a meal allowance so they can dine on campus. Each student has access to the HUB Gym, athletic facilities, library, Learning Commons, and all other facilities and resources. Spring Ahead students also take regular classes with other SMCC students, so they integrate with the community at large,” Haviland said.
Current SMCC student Brandon Stocker was one of the students that started their college journey in the Spring Ahead program.
“I was so excited to come to SMCC. The Spring Ahead coaches reached out immediately after I signed up and showed that they were here to support me in every way,” Stoker said. “The support really made it easy for me to decide to stay at SMCC. The coaches are incredible.“
High school students must meet all high school and college requirements and have the recommendation of their high school to participate in the program. Currently, students from Baxter Academy, Bonny Eagle, Bonny Eagle Learning Center, Cape Elizabeth, Deering, Greely, Scarborough, South Portland, Yarmouth, York, Kennebunk, Freeport, Mt. Ararat and Westbrook high schools are participating.
Greely High School Counselor and College Planning Coordinator Melissa Fowler said getting college experience while in high school is too good an opportunity to pass up.
“The high school kids still participate in their athletics or band or chorus or whatever they want to do during their high school semester while they are at SMCC,” Fowler said. “They don’t have to lose that part of the high school experience. But they can attend SMCC with free tuition and books, a ton of support, food and Willard Beach! It’s pretty great. I hope that more high school counselors become familiar with the Spring Ahead program to help students find their path.”
Students are eager to take on the challenge of completing high school while adding college classes to the mix.
“I’m excited to get used to the college atmosphere and being around a community that isn’t my own,” said Deering High School student Anja Frank. “Throughout my high school experience, I’ve been surrounded by the same kids and the same faces. Not only does Spring Ahead get me started on college courses, but the experience will also help ease my first-year college nerves and anxiety.”
Spring Ahead students, along with any high school graduates from the years 2020-2023 can continue their education tuition-free at SMCC through Maine’s Free College initiative.
SMCC’s Spring Ahead program is part of numerous early college efforts that allow students to earn college credit while in high school. Information about these programs can be found at www.smccME.edu/earlycollege.
High schools or students interested in learning more about the Spring Ahead program or other early college offerings at SMCC should contact Matthew Goodman, Dean of Academic Excellence and Strategic Initiatives, at mgoodman@smccME.edu.