PLAINFIELD—The Vermont Agency of Education has approved Goddard College for an Early College Program beginning in the 2015-2016 academic year, making Goddard only the second private college in the state with this enrollment option for high school students.
Students who are at least 16 years old and enrolled full time in high school or in an approved home-school program may take a full year of college-level classes while completing their high school degree. Tuition is free to Vermont high school students, though students are responsible for books and related fees. Funding comes from the Vermont Agency of Education.
“Goddard is the right-fit school for students who are independent thinkers, driven, and interested in their community and the world,” said Gariot Louima, dean of admissions. “Our students are passionate about the environment, social justice, the arts, education—and they find the individualized, student-driven aspects of our curriculum liberating and inspiring. We’re excited to offer this unique liberal arts option to Vermont high school students.”
Goddard is unlike any other college in the state of Vermont. Semesters begin with an eight-day residency on campus in Plainfield, a 15-minute drive northeast of Montpelier. During that time students work with faculty advisors to plan their study, attend workshops, and connect with other students. Following the residency, students return to their communities to work, to conduct research, to make art, to volunteer. Each month, students submit packets of work that connect their studies to their experiences in the world and reflect on how those experiences shape their thinking and personal growth. Students aren’t given letter grades and there are no traditional “classes.” Students receive narrative evaluations of their semester’s work. Those narratives are included in the official transcript.
Applicants to Goddard’s Early College Program must complete the Online Application for Admissions, an essay describing their academic interests and readiness, one letter of recommendation and a Secondary School Report, to be completed by a guidance counselor. SAT and ACT scores are not required for admissions, and there is no minimum GPA requirement as Goddard does not issue letter grades.
Undergraduates have two options for fall enrollment. To start the fall semester with the August 20 residency, apply by June 1. To start the fall semester with the September 17 residency, apply by July 1.
Students who are interested in learning more about Goddard’s Early College Program should visit goddard.edu/earlycollege or contact admissions@goddard.edu.
Burlington College is the only other private college approved for an Early College Program in Vermont.
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About Goddard College
Goddard College is an accredited, low-residency, non-profit liberal arts college offering MA, MFA, BA, and BFA degree programs in Plainfield, Vermont, and in Seattle and Port Townsend, Washington. Initially founded in 1863 as the Goddard Seminary in Barre, Vt., the College moved to its Greatwood Campus in Plainfield in 1938 and was chartered by founding President Royce “Tim” Pitkin. In 1963, Goddard was the first U.S. college to offer Adult Degree Programs. Goddard’s unique, student-centered model of education offers the best of on-campus and distance learning, with one-on-one faculty advisor meetings, rigorous academic experiences, and the freedom to study from anywhere. More at goddard.edu.
