A partnership between HCPSS and Howard Community College to expand options for students to gain college credits, explore possible careers, or earn an associate degree.
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Expanding options for students to develop skills, earn college credits, and become college and career ready.
The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is pleased to provide several options for students to take advantage of dual enrollment with Howard Community College (HCC). These programs are designed to give students a jump on their college education and prepare them for a career by earning industry certifications.
Students at every high school can earn college credit this fall through the JumpStart program, a partnership between HCPSS and Howard Community College (HCC). In addition to selected courses offered at HCPSS schools, many introductory and advanced courses in the arts and humanities, business, and social sciences, math, world languages, science and technology may be taken at HCC. More than 100 of these fulfill high school graduation requirements.
Course and Program Options
JumpStart consists of two primary groupings: a flexible option for high school students of any grade level and a structured option for rising 9th and 10th graders who are able to plan ahead and commit to an accelerated program of study.
Flexible
Explore careers and interests, gain exposure to college coursework, and increase college success. Take one or more classes per semester, at your high school or on the Howard Community College (HCC) campus, with the option to attend HCC full time during your senior year.
High School-Based
College Credit
Take HCC courses, taught by college-qualified HCPSS faculty, while earning college credit and meeting high school graduation requirements.
Access all of HCC’s campus-based resources.
Who? All HCPSS high school students.
Where? Classes are taught at all high schools and vary by location. For more information about offerings at your high school, please contact your high school counselor.
HCC Campus-Based
College Credit
Take one or more college courses at HCC and earn credits toward your college degree. Some credits may also count toward high school graduation.
During 11th and 12th grade, you may be eligible to enroll at HCC as a full-time student. Talk to your school counselor for more information.
Who? All HCPSS students in 11th and 12th grade. Admission for eighth to 10th grade students will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Where? HCC.
Structured
Get on the fast track for advanced education by making the commitment to an Early College program starting in ninth or 10th grade. These programs combine high school-based and HCC campus-based dual credit for a structured pathway to high school graduation.
These structured programs are suggested progressions which represent the most direct route for certain programs at certain institutions, but students’ individual course selections may differ due to their readiness, goals, or interests. Many structured programs available at OMHS and RHHS can be completed by students at other high schools if the student is willing to take the majority of their courses on HCC’s campus. Consult your school counselor and/or HCC advisor before making your course selections.
Early College 30 Credit
Choose from associate degree track programs in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), cybersecurity, computer science, criminal justice, entrepreneurship, general studies, secondary teaching, public health or health sciences.
Graduate from high school with 30 college credits or more.
Complete your associate degree at HCC within one year of high school graduation, or transfer credits to another higher education institution.
Access all of HCC’s campus-based resources.
Who? Rising ninth or 10th grade students who can commit to an accelerated program of study.
Where? River Hill High School, Oakland Mills High School, and in cybersecurity at the ARL. Structured programs are also available at all high schools when students take all HCC-based courses.
Early College 60 Credit
(Associate Degree)
Earn an Associate of Arts (AA) degree in general studies from HCC, while earning your high school diploma.
Graduate from high school with up to 60 college credits
Transfer college credits to complete a bachelor’s degree
Access all of HCC’s campus-based resources.
Who? Rising ninth grade students who can commit to an accelerated program of study.
Where? Oakland Mills High School and River Hill High School offer the Early College 60 Credit program with a combination of HCPSS and HCC-based courses. The Early College 60 Credit program is also available at all high schools when students take all HCC-based courses.
Compare the four program alternatives, experiences and opportunities each provide. Courses taught at HCPSS have all the rigor of the college course. Courses taught at HCC utilize collegiate labs and resources.
| Where’s Your Class? | Earn College Credit? | Earn AA Degree? | Eligibility in Grade? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High School-Based College Credit | HCPSS | Yes | No | 9–12 |
| HCC Campus-Based College Credit | HCC | Yes | No | 8–12** |
| Early College 30 Credit | ARL, OMHS, RHHS* | Yes | No | 9–10 |
| Early College 60 Credit (Associate Degree) |
OMHS, RHHS* | Yes | Yes | 9 |
*Structured programs are also available at all high schools when students take all HCC-based courses.
** Admission for 8-10th graders is on a case-by-case basis.
The program options available for the current school year are viewable below by clicking on the arrow or school name. Please work directly with your school counselor to determine the best JumpStart Dual Enrollment opportunity for your student.
Atholton, Centennial, Glenelg, Hammond, Marriotts Ridge, Mt. Hebron, or Reservoir
Howard High School
Oakland Mills High School
Long Reach High School
River Hill High School
Wilde Lake High School
HS #13
Estimated Costs
Per revised guidance from the Maryland State Department of Education received by HCPSS on October 7th, 2022, all JumpStart Dual Enrollment students will have their tuition and consolidated fees covered by HCPSS. Course fees and textbook costs for courses taken on HCC’s campus are the responsibility of the student.
Frequently Asked Questions
College Credit and Engagement
What is the requirement for JumpStart students to earn college credit?
Any student may apply to any high school-based JumpStart course. In order to register for dual credit with HCC, students must have at least a 2.0 unweighted GPA; some courses have additional prerequisites. College (dual) credit is awarded upon successful completion of the course.
How do JumpStart courses compare to other courses offered in the high school buildings?
This document shows the differences and similarities between JumpStart courses and high school course offerings such as Advanced Placement or Gifted and Talented.
If my student currently receives special education accommodations in HCPSS, what does that mean for courses taught at HCC?
This document explains the differences in accommodations and how to obtain them on HCC’s campus-based courses.
Am I required to attend HCC after graduation?
While these programs provide a clear path for graduating high school students to complete their associate degree at HCC, the earned college credits can be transferred elsewhere.
Will college credits earned at HCC transfer to a four-year college or university?
HCC credits will transfer to Maryland public four-year colleges and universities and most private and out-of-state colleges and universities. See an HCC transfer advisor to plan which courses will be right for you.
How does the Maryland Promise Scholarship impact JumpStart Dual Enrollment students?
JumpStart Dual Enrollment students are not eligible for the Maryland Promise Scholarship, as it is only available to high school graduates. This scholarship does not make community college free, but it can help some students have a more affordable community college education. For complete details, please visit HCC’s Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship page.
My family currently receives Free and Reduced Meals. What are the options for financial assistance to cover the cost of textbooks and fees at Howard Community College?
The Bright Minds Foundation has a scholarship application to cover these costs for students currently receiving Free and Reduced Meals. Application and instructions will be available prior to each semester at brightmindsfoundation.org/jumpstart.
How are courses taken at HCC counted in a high school GPA?
Only courses required for high school graduation taken for Dual Credit at HCC will be reflected on the high school transcript. Courses at HCC must be pre-approved for dual credit to count towards high school graduation requirements. Some courses at HCC will receive additional weight on the HCPSS transcript. The HCC course will be weighted with the highest HCPSS course equivalent quality points. For questions related to weighted equivalents, please consult the HCPSS Course Catalog.
Registering for JumpStart
How do I register for the JumpStart program?
Authorize
Authorize HCPSS to communicate with HCC and acknowledge that you understand the JumpStart requirements each year.
Apply
Apply once to be enrolled as a student at HCC.
Register
Register for your desired courses each semester.
How can I plan for my HCC courses and my high school schedule?
- January / February
- HCC-based courses: Register for all courses at your home high school for the upcoming school year. Howard Community College does not publish their schedule of Fall courses until May, as they follow a college calendar, so we want all students to have a full registration at their high school to ensure progress towards high school graduation requirements.
- HCPSS-based CC courses: Request CC courses when selecting your courses for next year. Course availability varies depending on a number of factors, so please work with your counselor to select the courses you’re interested in
- May:
- HCC-based courses – Parents and students complete the steps outlined on pages 1-3 of this document: https://www.hcpss.org/f/connect/jumpstart-registration-instructions.pdf. All steps must be completed by the student.
- Apply to HCC if you have not yet completed the HCC Application. Instructions are available online. Do not re-apply to HCC if you have already earned college credit in the past.
- Work with your high school counselor and your school’s HCC Admissions and Advising counselor to elect courses and finalize registration. Attend an information session for support.
- HCPSS-based CC courses – Nothing. HCC registration will be facilitated in your students class this Fall.
- Summer
- HCC-based courses: Work with your high school counselor and your school’s HCC Admissions and Advising counselor to elect courses and finalize registration.
- HCPSS-based CC courses – Nothing. Additional registration steps will be facilitated via announcements via email from the Office of Dual Enrollment and collaboration with your students teacher and your school’s HCC Admissions and Advising counselor
- Fall
- HCC-based courses: Students will take courses at HCC
- HCPSS-based courses: Parents and students complete the steps outlined on pages 1-3 of this document: https://www.hcpss.org/f/connect/jumpstart-registration-instructions.pdf. All steps must be completed by the student. Additional registration steps will be facilitated via announcements via email from the Office of Dual Enrollment and collaboration with your students teacher and your school’s HCC Admissions and Advising counselor. Attend an information session for support.
- Winter and Spring
- HCC – based courses: Students can register in November for courses at HCC for the Winter and Spring Semesters. Attend an information session for support.
- HCPSS-Based CC Courses: Students will participate in courses taught in their high school building.
View Instructions on Applying for JumpStart Classes
I did all my course requests in Synergy. Am I done with registration?
No. Once you’ve completed the necessary steps in Synergy as outlined in the instructions, you must also register directly with HCC. For HCPSS-based courses, you must complete this registration form. For HCC-based courses, please use the MyHCC planning tool. Both will require your HCC credentials (for help with your HCC login, please email enrollmentsupport@howardcc.edu). To confirm your HCC registration, please follow the steps outlined here.
What opportunities are there to learn more about JumpStart and receive support with the registration process?
The HCC and HCPSS JumpStart teams have a series of information sessions and collaborative support sessions scheduled to share program details with the community and provide collaborative support with the registration process. Please click here for information session details. For HCPSS-based JumpStart courses, we will have additional sessions available to support the registration process beginning in November. Additional information will be included in the above document as well as communicated via your students CC course teacher in the beginning of the school year.
Transportation and Logistics
Do I have to provide my own transportation to HCC if I elect to take courses there?
For the 23-24 school year, the Office of Dual Enrollment has requested shuttles to run between HCC and each HCPSS high school. These shuttles are designed to allow students to spend the majority of their day on HCC’s campus. Shuttles, if approved, will make single runs at specific times of day and are not available for multiple trips each day.
What is happening to the structured programs at Oakland Mills or River Hill?
The programs at Oakland Mills and River Hill HS will continue to be offered for the upcoming school year. If your student does not currently attend either of those two pilot schools, students can still use the structured program framework to determine a path of study with all HCC-based courses. Details on the structured programs can be found online. For more information, please contact your high school counselor or jumpstart@howardcc.edu.
Dates and Deadlines
My student wants to take a course on HCC’s campus. What dates and deadlines are important?
More information can be found on HCC’s academic calendar. Questions regarding HCC’s Academic Calendar can be directed to jumpstart@howardcc.edu
My student is taking a college credit (CC) eligible course at their high school. What dates and deadlines are important?
The calendar below outlines all the important dates and deadlines for the college credit-eligible courses being taught at HCPSS. Each event lists important details and links to necessary documents. Questions regarding the registration process for these courses can be directed to jumpstart@howardcc.edu.
Contact
For additional questions about JumpStart Dual Enrollment, please email jumpstart@hcpss.org.