
The District 233 school board is considering instituting a new program offering 15 Homewood-Flossmoor High School seniors the chance to attend Prairie State College and earn up to 30 college credits while fulfilling their high school requirements.
Jennifer Hester, director of curriculum, said the program is meant to give students the opportunity to fulfill college general education requirements early which will reduce the cost of college. The courses are transferrable to schools in Illinois and a select list of out-of-state schools.
The Early College Credit Program would be implemented in 2025-26. It is being used by neighboring high school districts Bloom Township District 206, Rich Township District 227 and Crete-Monee District 201-U.
Hester said more than 100 H-F juniors have a 3.0 GPA by the first semester of their junior year and a 42 score on college-level math test that would make them eligible for the Early College Credit option. H-F will have an application process and meetings with students and parents to communicate how the program would work and what a student’s expectations are.
She said this program is different from the dual-credit options currently open to students. Those courses are taught by H-F faculty and recognized in partnerships between District 233 and Lewis University, Illinois Institute of Technology and PSC.
The Early College Credit Program has students registering as college students at PSC. They will attend 16-week semester classes in the morning Monday through Thursday taking four courses: English, math, science and social science or humanities/fine arts, general education or college elective courses.
“This is a rigorous academic schedule for students who are ready to commit to this,” she told board members at a meeting in December. “Students will understand that they are working on a college transcript as well as their high school credits at the same time.”
H-F would provide transportation to and from PSC. Students return to H-F for lunch and seventh period classes. On Friday, the students would be expected at H-F for the seventh period class.
The program is designed to give these seniors a way to earn college credit and develop the skills they’ll need as they go on to complete a bachelor’s degree, including study skills, time-management, independence and responsibility.
Students will be asked to commit to the program for a full year. District 233 would share the estimated two-semester tuition expense of $5,220 with the families. In addition, families would cover all PSC fees.
H-F college counselors would conduct meetings with the parents and students and meet with students on their progress at PSC.
Hester said the program meets H-F’s five-year goal of preparing students for college, careers and life-readiness. H-F could expand the academic program to start in the junior year of high school. The Early College Credit Program could be expanded to move students into certificate and associate degree programs at PSC, such as HVAC training, certified nursing assistant, physical therapy assistant and cybersecurity.
Board member Cynthia Turnquest raised a concern about the maturity of high school students attending college. “I’m very concerned. It’s not like they’ll have a cohort of fellow students there. They could be the only (high school student) in their class.” She said selection shouldn’t be based solely on grades, but staff should consider a student’s maturity level for taking on college work in a college setting.
Jennifer Rudan, director of student services at H-F, said communication with the parents “is going to be so important,” and she anticipates parents discussing the pros and cons of the program with their student and whether they are emotionally ready for this program.