Oliver Ames students earn free college credit through new program

EASTON, Fifty-two students at Oliver Ames High School have enrolled in a new Early College Program with Quincy College that lets them earn college credit without leaving the building or paying tuition, Easton Public Schools announced Oct. 20.

Students choose from three fields: business, health care or early childhood education. Courses are taught by their own Oliver Ames teachers during the school day and count toward both a high school diploma and college credit. State funding covers tuition, books and other expenses.

Students can earn up to 12 college credits in the business or early childhood education pathways and up to 15 in health care. The program is open to sophomores and qualified juniors currently enrolled in accounting, child development or Honors biology. Quincy College approves the teachers' qualifications and course syllabi.

Oliver Ames received a provisional Early College designation from the state in spring 2026 and enrolled its first students in September and October. The school held its Early College Pathway Program Kickoff on Oct. 16, where students signed a commitment form outlining the program's expectations, were photographed with Principal Kelly Cavanaugh and Superintendent Dr. Christine Pruitt, and received a T-shirt with the program's logo.

The school has offered dual enrollment courses through Quincy College since 2024, and the new program builds on that partnership. Each student will receive an official Quincy College transcript, and credits may be used at Quincy College or submitted for transfer to another institution, which would decide which credits to accept.

"This gives them a chance to find out while they're here at OA," Cavanaugh said in the release.

Program costs are covered through the provisional designation grant and Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Early College funds.

Oliver Ames plans to open enrollment again in the spring for qualified rising sophomores and juniors.

Source: Easton Public Schools announcement, October 20, 2026.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the original announcement.