College of Education and Human Development

ACCESS Academy Freshmen to Become Dual-Enrolled College Students This Spring

The Open House at Fuse at Mason Square offered an exciting glimpse into the future for ACCESS Academy students, complete with robotics demonstrations and hands-on technology experiences. Behind the buzz and energy was a deeper message: through a collaborative partnership with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), ACCESS Academy freshmen will take their first college course this spring, an opportunity rarely available to ninth-grade students.

This spring, the inaugural ACCESS Academy cohort will enroll in an asynchronous Information Technology course through NOVA Online, making them official dual-enrolled college students while still in their freshman year of high school. It’s a bold step that underscores the program’s mission to accelerate learning and expand access to higher education.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity for our ACCESS Academy freshmen,” said Ingrid Guerra-López, Dean of George Mason University’s College of Education and Human Development. “To be eligible to take a college-level Python programming course as ninth graders, students must maintain at least a 3.25 GPA. This standard reflects both their readiness and the rigor of this experience. At the same time, ACCESS Academy is deeply committed to creating the conditions for every student to thrive, providing responsive supports that honor different starting points, strengths, and aspirations. Our mission is to open doors to opportunities like this for all learners, preparing them to be future-ready across college, career, and life.”

To prepare students for this milestone, NOVA staff and a dedicated Online Student Success Coach will guide them through registration and orientation, helping them understand what it means to take a college-level course in an online, asynchronous format. Students will learn about managing study time, accessing digital course materials, and communicating effectively with college faculty. Webinars and virtual office hours will also provide opportunities to connect with NOVA staff and ask questions as they adjust to this new academic experience.

Through dual enrollment (DE), ACCESS Academy students can meet their Virginia high school graduation requirements while earning college credit in courses taught by NOVA-certified instructors. Over time, students will take DE classes in English, social studies, math, and science, earning up to 13 college credits before graduation.

“This partnership represents the best of what dual enrollment can offer: early access, equity, and opportunity,” said Kristen Carter, Associate Director of Dual Enrollment at Northern Virginia Community College. “By working together, we are opening college doors to students much earlier, providing a strong framework of support, and instilling the confidence to see themselves as future college graduates.”

The benefits of DE are well documented. Research shows that high school students who earn college credit before graduation are more likely to persist in college, earn higher GPAs, and complete degrees at higher rates. They also report greater confidence and a stronger understanding of what it takes to succeed in college.

For the inaugural ACCESS Academy freshmen, becoming college students in their very first year of high school is transformative. They’re not only getting a head start on college, but redefining what’s possible for future generations of learners.