Early College Programs
Earn a College Degree Before You Graduate High School
Imagine graduating high school with a diploma and an associate degree — at no cost to your family.
Metro Schools students can earn their associate’s degree through one of our Early College programs, offered in partnership with Nashville State Community College.
What started with our district's Early College High School, a National Blue Ribbon School located on the campus at Nashville State, has expanded to six of our zoned high schools.
What Schools Offer Early College Programs?
Early College High School offers an immersive college experience at Nashville State’s White Bridge campus. This school offers a choice between seven degree pathways: Information Systems, Business Administration, General Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Health Sciences, Computer Science and Music/Fine Arts.
Zoned high schools' degree programs range from health sciences to business to general studies and more. Each degree pathway available has different entrance requirements, so contact each school for additional information.
The six MNPS zoned high schools that offer the Early College program are
- Cane Ridge
- Glencliff
- Maplewood
- McGavock
- Pearl-Cohn
- Whites Creek
Additionally, Richard H. Dinkins Middle School offers an Early College Magnet School program to prepare students for Early College programs.Qualified students who do not live within the requested school’s zone can apply to one of Early College Programs through the School Options process. The credits earned can also be transferred to other four-year colleges and universities.
Program History
Launched in early 2020, the Better Together partnership between Metro Nashville Public Schools and Nashville State Community College is transforming postsecondary success for students in Davidson County.
This innovative collaboration aims to prepare high school graduates to attend and complete college, and the results are already exceeding expectations.
Early College High School
Students can attend high school on the campus of Nashville State and graduate with a high school diploma, college credit and/or with an associate degree.