The BPS and RCC Early College Consortium for Multilingual Learners will launch in the 2026-2027 school year
Roxbury Community College (RCC) and Boston Public Schools (BPS) have earned a state early college designation for multilingual learners from the Early College Joint Committee.
BPS and RCC’s Early College Consortium for Multilingual Learners is designed to intentionally serve multilingual learners, distinguishing it from early college programs built for the general high school population. The designation, RCC’s first, reflects both institutions' commitment to expanding equitable access to higher education and advances BPS's ongoing goal of bringing early college opportunities to more students across its secondary schools. At full scale over the next five years, the Early College Consortium will enroll 200 students from as many as seven BPS partner high schools. The current inaugural designation partners include: Boston International Newcomers Academy, Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, and Margarita Muñiz Academy. Students enrolled in Early College programs can earn 12 or more college credits while enrolled in high school, which apply to high school graduation requirements and transfer to many public state colleges in Massachusetts.
"RCC and Boston Public Schools set out to build something that didn't exist: an early college program designed from the ground up for multilingual learners,” said RCC’s president Dr. Jonathan Jefferson. “The stakes are real. Students who earn college credits in high school are more likely to persist, complete a degree, and achieve economic mobility. This designation from the state means those outcomes are now within reach for a population of students that previous early college programs were not built to serve. We are grateful to BPS for their partnership in making this happen."
Massachusetts Early College programs are intentionally designed to empower students traditionally underrepresented in higher education, blending elements of high school and college to provide students with the opportunity to complete college-level coursework on a clearly articulated pathway while simultaneously gaining exposure to career opportunities. Designated programs receive state accreditation and funding support, and coursework is typically taught at the high school site. The state's early college initiative has grown significantly since its launch in 2017; in the 2024-2025 school year, enrollment in designated programs reached more than 8,000 students statewide.
“This designation represents an important step forward in our commitment to expanding rigorous, equitable academic opportunities for all students, especially our multilingual learners,” said Boston Public Schools Deputy Superintendent of Academics Dr. Simone Wright. “Through this partnership with Roxbury Community College, we are creating a pathway that recognizes the experiences and aspirations of our students while giving them meaningful access to college-level coursework, career exploration, and support as they prepare for life after high school. Our multilingual learners bring incredible assets to our classrooms and school communities, and this Early College Consortium is designed to ensure they have the tools and opportunities to thrive in higher education and beyond.”
Students at Boston International Newcomers Academy, Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, and Margarita Muñiz Academy who enrolled in the Early College program during the pilot will continue their coursework this fall. Students grades 10-12 at the three partner high schools have opportunities to enroll in the Consortium prior to each semester.
Students and families can learn more about the program by visiting the website.
