Verona High School seniors can now get a jump on courses at a university that many of them end up attending: Montclair State (MSU).
VHS announced today that it has established a so-called dual enrollment program with the university that will allow VHS seniors to take up to 12 college credits at $275 per credit, significantly less than the $435.62 per credit that it charges its in-state students, and Verona students will not have to pay MSU student fees. The courses completed at Montclair State would count towards graduation from VHS, as well as a full degree at MSU, or be transferable to another college or university.
Former Superintendent Steve Forte brought the dual enrollment concept to VHS a decade ago and the high school has existing relationships with Syracuse University and Seton Hall University, for English, accounting, and literature classes.
But the MSU program would be different from the single class model of these programs. VHS students who are accepted into the MSU program would take morning classes at Verona and then spend the afternoon at MSU. They could take any 100- or 200-level class that does not have a prerequisite, and they could still participate in after-school activities back at VHS. Most students who achieve a 2.8 GPA while in the dual-enrollment program will be offered admission to MSU.
The MSU program, which will operate fall and spring beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, is open only to VHS seniors, so current juniors would apply to it after their grade 11 scheduling meeting and no later March 15. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch at VHS will receive a $50 per credit scholarship, but VHS noted that all students enrolled at MSU would be responsible for any books, parking costs or lab fees.
VHS has created an information page about the program, and interested families can read it here.
