BISD News

College Connection Opens Doors for Higher Education

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The College Connection program offered through Austin Community College is growing, and that’s good news for Bastrop. Bastrop High School has partnered with ACC for the past four years in an initiative to help students through the enrollment process.

College Connection was founded in the spring of 2004 by Austin Community College’s Dr. Mary Hensley, vice president of college support systems and ISD relations. It was originally called “The San Marcos Initiative.” Over the past few years, the program has grown from one school district to 27, with 58 high schools and more than 17,000 seniors participating in the 2007-08 school year.

“I think it shows that our Board of Trustees, faculty and staff are dedicated to insisting that Bastrop students attend some type of post secondary education,” said Roderick Emanuel, Superintendent of Schools. “With this program in place, students have the opportunity to get one foot in the door at ACC.”

Throughout the 2007-08 school year, at the BHS campus, ACC representatives will assist seniors while they fill out college applications, direct them though the testing and financial aid process and have advisory teams to help students determine what career paths they want to pursue. Students will also be invited to participate in a “College Day” at the different ACC campuses. BHS seniors may choose to attend ACC for two years as a gateway to a four year degree, to earn an associates degree, to earn certification in various fields, or to take summer classes which will transfer to other colleges and universities. 

Since the program was implemented at Bastrop High School in 2005, there has been a significant increase in college attendance at ACC from BISD graduates.  College Connection is preparing for another promising year.

For more information, contact Bastrop High School at (512) 321-1151.