Early college academies are special junior and senior high schools that allow students to take courses toward a high school diploma and an associate’s degree at the same time. The academies make it easier for a student to make the transition between high school and college. Another characteristic of an early college academy is the learning environment that recognizes and takes the steps necessary to prepare high school students for college-level work.

Today there are more than 200 early colleges in the U.S., serving 100,000 urban students everyday.