Harper College in Palatine is teaming with three Northwest suburban school districts to launch a program next year that will allow students to earn an associated degree while still in high school. | Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
By Christopher Placek | Daily Herald
When they walk across the stage at graduation, some members of the Class of 2028 at three Northwest suburban school districts will receive not only their high school diplomas, but associate degrees too.
Harper College and the three districts — Northwest Suburban High School District 214, Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 and Barrington Area Unit District 220 — are launching the College Now dual degree program, which will have motivated high schoolers taking college-level coursework on the Palatine community college’s campus starting in the fall of 2026.
“Harper College is proud to stand with our high school partners in creating meaningful opportunities for students to accelerate their higher education journeys,” said Harper President Avis Proctor. “College Now underscores our shared vision of affordability, access and excellence in education.”
Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 Superintendent Judith Campbell, from left, Northwest Suburban High School District 214 Superintendent Scott Rowe, Barrington Area Unit District 220 Superintendent Craig Winkelman, and Harper College President Avis Proctor have inked a partnership that will allow select high school students to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and associate degree. | Courtesy of Harper College
Starting this week, the three high school districts will host information sessions for students and families to learn more, with initial applications from interested sophomores due Oct. 15. Should they meet the program’s qualifications for grades and attendance, they’ll be notified of acceptance within the week.
Initial classes would begin in the fall of 2026, with high school juniors spending mornings at Harper taking college courses such as Biology, Introduction to Psychology and Ethics, then returning to their high schools in the afternoon to take additional college-level classes like Composition and Algebra.
By senior year, students would take most all classes at Harper, but still be able to participate in extracurricular activities at their high schools.
Should they earn a C grade or better in all courses, students will receive an associate of arts degree from Harper.
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