Pennsylvania has a number of excellent examples of model high school reform programs …

Boyce Middle College: For the last decade, Community College of Allegheny County’s Boyce Campus, located in suburban Pittsburgh, has operated a Middle College designed to meet the needs of disengaged and disconnected students from four surrounding school districts. The school is proving extremely successful in providing powerful learning opportunities for these students who otherwise would be unlikely to complete school, let alone embark on a postsecondary pathway. More than 90% of enrolled students graduate from high school, and 60% go on to enter CCAC.

Erie County Academy for College and Advanced Studies: Sponsored by 13 school districts and Edinboro and Gannon Universities, the Erie County Academy offers a unique experience for 11th and 12th graders who are ready for college level academic challenges. Twice each week, participating students travel to the Academy where they receive instruction from college faculty and earn college credit for their work. Since they remain enrolled in their high schools, students continue to participate in school and extra-curricular activities and also are exposes to the college campus and the demands of postsecondary academics. The Academy also features a “Senior Bypass” program that enables them to spend their entire senior year on campus. Demand for Academy programming is strong, and local officials expect to double enrollment in 2006.