Jersey City Students Earn Associates In College Program

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A group of Jersey City high school students is the first in the district to earn their Associates degree while graduating from high school through a new Early College Admissions Program.

The 26 students started the program four years ago as freshmen and are now the first group to complete the program. Jersey City Public Schools collaborated with Hudson County Community College to implement the program and offer students a head start on their higher education. The program was originally opened to junior and senior high school students but, four years ago the district expanded to include freshman. Most of the students are from Dickinson, Lincoln and Ferris High Schools and earned degrees in environmental science, business administration and criminal justice.

A ceremony for the students will take place on from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, at the Journal Square Campus Culinary Conference Room.

"Research shows that the inability to pay for school is a crucial reason given why students drop out of college. The Jersey City Public School District is committed to lending assistance and opportunities for students to excel and achieve their goals," the district said in a statement, "This partnership with the community college helps to defray the cost of higher education, thereby increasing the number of students who graduate from college and providing them with significant career choices."

The graduating students are listed below with their school and field of study. Congratulations, graduates!