New London ― High school students will get a taste of the college experience this year thanks to the school system’s new partnership with Mitchell College.

High school juniors and seniors enrolled in a dual-enrollment program will take college classes on campus, earn college credits and, for those who successfully complete the program, gain priority admission to Mitchell once they graduate.

Mitchell College President Tracy Y. Espy and New London School Superintendent Cynthia Ritchie were scheduled to make a formal announcement about the program and sign a dual-enrollment partnership agreement on Monday evening at Mitchell during an ice cream social with high school students and their families.

Both Ritchie and Espy said the initiative will help inspire high school students to pursue higher education. Espy said students can earn college credits before going to college, get experience in college coursework and explore possible careers.

“Coming together as a community to support one another only makes us stronger.” Espy said.

Ritchie said the program will provide high school students with college learning experiences, including being involved and connected to on-campus staff and activities. Enrolled high school students will receive a Mitchell identification card which will enable them to access the college library, dining hall and special events such as athletics and performing arts. Mitchell tutoring services will also be available to the students.

“Connecting high school students to these experiences now will allow them to see themselves as future college students and successful graduates. We are grateful for this partnership, with Mitchell College, on behalf of our students,” Ritchie said.

Espy said she and Ritchie first started talking about partnering when Espy arrived in New London in 2020. Former New London Superintendent Dr. Christopher Clouet, who is now the education chair at Mitchell College, was instrumental in advocating to move things forward, Espy said.

Ritchie said 15 juniors and seniors are signed up to participate in the program. They will be offered three different college classes: Introduction to Applied Exercise Sciences, Introduction to Early Childhood Education and Introduction to Race, Ethnicity and Culture. Additional courses are expected to be offered in the spring.

Ritchie said high school students will be bused to Mitchell College to attend classes once per week at the end of the school day. Students that successfully complete six credit hours at Mitchell and earn a grade of “C” or better in each course will be admitted to Mitchell once they have earned their high school diplomas.

G.smith@theday.com