Angels Camp, CA…San Joaquin Delta College is now offering an Early College Pathway to ambitious eighth grade students in Calaveras County. Students who enroll in this 100% free and virtual program can complete an Associate Degree in Math and Science while earning their high school diploma.

Recruitment for the Early College Pathway begins in eighth grade. Students and parents receive support from an assigned counselor who will remain with the student throughout the program. Students must begin the program their freshman year of high school to complete the four-year track with an Associate Degree. Each individual student’s pathway is catered to their educational and vocational goals. This unique opportunity is available to all students in Calaveras County free of charge.

Calaveras families can save on the expense of the first two years of college and students will have a jump start into continued education or employment, depending on their pathway of choice. The program is completed on the student’s own time as an extra-curricular activity. Students will find that the program allows for their continued participation in sports and other activities, while they also develop the study skills, time management, and necessary tools to succeed in higher education.

The Early College Pathway program has been operating on San Joaquin Delta College’s Mountain House Campus for the past eleven years. Dr. Jessie Graza-Roderick started the program 21 years ago, and current enrollment is 3,500 students. “This program helps students start making their own educational decisions earlier,” said Dr. Garza-Roderick. “In the years that we have been providing this pathway, it has become apparent that it provides educational opportunities to students who would not have had them otherwise.”

Superintendent of Schools Scott Nanik expressed his excitement for the program. “We are now able to provide programs to students in Calaveras County that have traditionally only been available in more populated areas. We want Calaveras students to have those same opportunities, and now we are even closer to achieving that goal,” said Nanik.

For further information and to join the interest list, students and parents should email calaverasearlycollege@deltacollege.edu with their name, email, phone number and high school name. Interested families will be contacted about upcoming information sessions.

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