By Tiffany Williams –
WORCESTER, Mass. — Massachusetts Education Secretary Stephen Zrike announced the largest expansion of Early College partnerships in state history on Wednesday, highlighting Worcester Public Schools as one of the program’s fastest-growing participants as student enrollment has nearly doubled over the past three years.
The announcement came during a roundtable discussion with students at Worcester Technical High School, where Zrike, on behalf of Governor Maura Healey’s administration, revealed the approval of 29 new Early College partnerships that will add 1,629 seats statewide beginning this fall.
The expansion follows approval by the Early College Joint Committee of the Boards of Higher Education and Elementary and Secondary Education and represents the latest effort by state officials to increase access to college-level coursework for high school students across Massachusetts.
Worcester Public Schools has emerged as one of the state’s largest Early College participants. District officials reported that student enrollment in Early College programs grew from 714 students in 2023 to 1,362 students in 2026.
“The Worcester Public Schools is proud to be a district with one of the largest Early College participation rates in the state, increasing from 714 students in 2023 to 1,362 students in 2026,” said Brian E. Allen, Superintendent of the Worcester Public Schools. “Early College Worcester reflects everything we believe about what education should do for our students — open doors, build confidence, and create real pathways to opportunity.”
Worcester Public Schools has been involved with Early College Worcester since the program launched in 2018. The initiative is a partnership among Worcester Public Schools, Quinsigamond Community College and Worcester State University and has served thousands of students throughout the city.
The program allows students attending all seven Worcester public high schools to earn college credits at no cost while completing their high school education. District officials said the opportunity is designed to reduce barriers to higher education while helping students gain firsthand college experience before graduation.
This year, Worcester Public Schools reported that 100 seniors will graduate having earned at least 12 college credits, the equivalent of a full semester of college coursework before stepping onto a college campus as full-time students.
“Early College Worcester has long served as a model for what is possible when school districts, community colleges, and universities work together in service of students. We are proud of what this community has built — and excited for what comes next,” said Dan St. Louis, Director of the WPS Early College Program.
State officials pointed to recent data indicating that the Early College initiative continues to produce positive outcomes for participating students. According to an analysis previously released by the Healey administration, 66 percent of Early College graduates enroll in higher education immediately after high school, with most attending public colleges and universities in Massachusetts.
The report also found that students who participate in Early College continue to persist in higher education at high rates. Eighty-seven percent remain enrolled through a second college term, while 82 percent return for a second year.
Supporters of the program say those figures demonstrate that exposure to college coursework while still in high school can improve both access to higher education and long-term student success.
The latest statewide expansion is expected to further increase participation opportunities as Massachusetts continues investing in programs designed to help students earn college credits, reduce future tuition costs and strengthen pathways into higher education.
Worcester Public Schools officials said students interested in participating in Early College Worcester can contact their guidance counselors or reach out directly to program administrators for additional information.