News release
SCVi Charter School has launched a new college readiness program, College Connect, described as an innovative pathway that allows high school students to begin earning college credit while still receiving a full, connected high school experience, according to a news release from the local charter school.
College Connect brings real college coursework directly to SCVi’s campus through a partnership with a local community college, the release said. The program allows students to earn transferable college credits at no cost in a supported, cohort-based environment.
Unlike many traditional “early college” programs that require a high GPA for entry, College Connect is available to all enrolled SCVi students in grades 9-12 through self-selection, the release said.
“At SCVi, we believe high school should be a launchpad, not just a destination,” School Director Martha Spansel-Pellico said in the release. “With College Connect, we are removing the traditional ‘walls’ between high school and higher education. We’re ensuring that every student has the confidence and the credits to hit the ground running the moment they graduate.”
College Connect represents the formal evolution of SCVi’s dual-enrollment offerings. While the program removes traditional GPA barriers to ensure broad access, SCVi is maintaining small, high-support cohorts to provide the personalized guidance for which the school is known, the release said. As a result, space in these inaugural formalized cohorts is limited.
“The transition to college can often feel like a leap into the unknown, but it doesn’t have to be,” added Kris Nilsen, college and career counselor. “College Connect gives our students a ‘test drive’ of the college experience within the safety net of their high school community. It’s about building the academic stamina and self-belief that will serve them for the rest of their lives.”
Through three distinct pathways — College Launchpad, Biliteracy, and Aerospace — students can meet high school graduation requirements while simultaneously completing college coursework, the release said. By the time they graduate, participants will have earned college credit and gained firsthand experience with college-level academics.
Families interested in learning more are invited to an informational webinar on Thursday, Feb. 19, at 6 p.m. SCVi staff will share details about the pathways and how students can secure their spot in the upcoming cohorts. Registration is available at ileadsantaclarita.org/scvi-college-connect.
