Lauren Merrell already is half way through college and she’s just finishing high school.

Merrell is valedictorian of the first class at Toledo Early College High School, a public school on the University of Toledo campus that allows students to take their first two years of college courses in high school.

“I think it’s so amazing we get this opportunity because it really is life-changing,” she said. “I don’t think I would have blossomed and found my career path without it.”

Toledo Early College High School opened four years ago behind a $400,000 grant from KnowledgeWorks Foundation. The Cincinnati-based foundation specializes in education reform.

There are several similar early college schools around Ohio, including ones in Dayton, Youngstown and Elyria.

Dayton’s Early College Academy graduated its first class two years ago.

Toledo schools superintendent John Foley said the program has gotten positive results and that it was important for the district to have options for students who are looking for something different.

“As parents exercise their choice and we know one size doesn’t fit all in today’s education world, so it’s certainly important for us to not only have these programs but see that they’re successful,” he said.

Enrollment in Toledo schools has been declining in recent years with the growth of charter schools.

Most of the early college school’s 42 students who graduated Thursday will leave with 50 to 60 college credits, said Robin Wheatley, the school’s principal.

Now that the first class has completed its four years, other students will see that it can be done, Wheatley said.

The program recruits students who are first-generation college students, come from low-income families, non-native English speakers and minorities.

Merrell, who plans to study pharmacy at the University of Toledo, remembers getting lost on her first day at the university’s sprawling campus. She was just 14.

“It was real scary,” she said. “We had the map and were freaking out trying to find the building.”

Now she has 63 college credits and a high school diploma.

“It’s overwhelming when you sit and think about it,” she said.

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 23rd, 2009 at 6:30 am and is filed under Community, Education.
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