Superintendent Dr. Christine Pruitt speaks during the Early College Pathway Program Kickoff event. (Photo Courtesy Easton Public Schools)
EASTON — For 52 students at Oliver Ames High School, the first college course doesn’t require leaving high school or paying a tuition bill.
The students have enrolled in the school’s new Early College Program with Quincy College. They can earn up to 15 college credits before graduation through courses taught by their Oliver Ames teachers during the school day.
Students choose from three fields: business, health care and early childhood education. Their courses count toward both their high school diploma and college credit, with state funding covering tuition, books, and other expenses.
“A student might be interested in health care but unsure what studying it in college would be like,” Principal Kelly Cavanaugh said. “This gives them a chance to find out while they’re here at OA. They have teachers they know to turn to for help, and the credits they earn can go with them after graduation.”
Oliver Ames received a provisional Early College designation from the state in spring 2026 and enrolled its first group of students in September and October.
The school held its Early College Pathway Program Kickoff on Friday, Oct. 16, where students signed a commitment form outlining the program’s expectations.
Each student was recognized by name, posed for a photograph with Principal Cavanaugh and Superintendent Dr. Christine Pruitt and received a T-shirt featuring the Oliver Ames/Quincy College Early College High School logo.
The school has offered dual enrollment courses through Quincy College since 2024. The new program builds on that work, giving students a sequence of courses tied to a field they want to explore.
Business students begin with accounting and can go on to study entrepreneurship and psychology. Students interested in early childhood education take child development, with later coursework in educational studies and psychology. The health care pathway includes biology, anatomy and physiology and chemistry. All three include college-level English composition in senior year.
Students can earn up to 12 college credits in business or early childhood education and up to 15 in health care.
The program is currently open to sophomores and qualified juniors enrolled in accounting, child development or Honors biology. All courses take place at Oliver Ames during regular school hours. Quincy College approves the teachers’ qualifications and course syllabi.
Jennifer Tantillo, the school’s early college and career coach, began discussing a partnership with Quincy College Vice President of Student Success and Partnerships Meghan Giovannoni in spring 2024. School and college leaders tried to reach students who might have ruled out college because of cost or other concerns.
“We shared a vision of supporting students who might not see college as a possibility for them for a number of reasons,” Tantillo said. “For the past two years, our collaboration with Quincy College has enabled us to offer students both dual enrollment courses and most recently, the early college pathway experience.”
Program expenses are paid through the provisional designation grant and/or Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Early College funds.
Each student receives an official Quincy College transcript listing completed courses, grades and credits. Students may use those credits toward further study at Quincy College or seek to transfer them to another institution. Each receiving college determines which credits it will accept.
“We don’t want students to decide college isn’t for them before they’ve had a chance to try it,” Superintendent Dr. Pruitt said. “Earning credits now can help with the cost later. It can also help a student say, ‘I’ve done this. I know I can handle the work.’ I am grateful to Jen and our partners at Quincy College for helping us offer that opportunity.”
Oliver Ames will open enrollment again in the spring for qualified rising sophomores and juniors.
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Students in Oliver Ames’ Early College Program with Quincy College pose for a photograph at the  Early College Pathway Program Kickoff event. (Photo Courtesy Easton Public Schools)
Oliver Ames students signed commitment forms at the Early College Pathway Program Kickoff event. (Photo Courtesy Easton Public Schools)
Easton Public Schools representatives and Quincy College officials at the Early College Pathway Program Kickoff event. (Photo Courtesy Easton Public Schools)