Windham Public Schools, Eastern Connecticut State University and Quinebaug Valley Community College (QVCC) are embarking on a new educational partnership in Willimantic that will extend postsecondary options to Windham High School students and those seeking a college education in the greater Windham community.

Under the partnership, QVCC classes will now be available at Windham High School. Community members interested in continuing their education will have the benefit of taking foundational QVCC courses at the high school, along with a selection of Eastern courses.

In the past few years, Windham Public Schools has been proactive in establishing college and career partnership programs for Windham students, including the Windham High Incentive Program (WHIP) with Eastern, and Windham Early College Opportunity Program established with QVCC and industry partners.

Patricia Garcia, superintendent of Windham Public Schools said, "We are very pleased to expand our relationship with Eastern on behalf of our students. The university is a resource that can change the lives of our Windham students through learning opportunities and college experience."

QVCC President Carlee Drummer said, "QVCC has been serving the residents of Willimantic since 1986. This new partnership underscores the commitment to provide an accessible and affordable education to students of all ages seeking to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to be productive global citizens in the 21st century."

With input from Windham High School officials and pending approval by the Windham School's Board of Education, college-level courses offered by Eastern and QVCC will enable eligible Windham High School students the opportunity to earn valuable college credits while completing their high school degrees. The program will be based on a model Eastern currently has in place at Norwich Free Academy, where it offers dual-credit courses that enable Norwich-area students to earn high school and college credits at the same time.

"We are encouraged by this partnership with Windham Public Schools and Quinebaug Valley Community College to provide access to higher education for Windham High School students," said Eastern President Elsa Núñez. "Not only will college students and other community residents have access to courses offered by QVCC and Eastern, we are pleased to provide Windham High School students with opportunities to earn high school and college credits."

Registration details and information on course offerings and tuition costs will be available as soon as the program is formalized and approved by the Windham School Board of Education and the first schedule of classes is announced.