NASHUA – The rate for Early College courses at Nashua Community College dropped by more than 50 percent this year, catching the attention of Greater Nashua high school students and administrators.

Early college classes are now a flat rate of $250 per course versus the previous rate of $200 per credit, plus fees, for three- to four-credit courses.

“Since the rate came out, I’m answering the phone all the time,” said Susan Smith, Early College and NCC admissions representative. Juniors are contacting her now to take college courses during their senior year.

As the program’s popularity grows, William Hughen, director of school counseling for the Hudson district, said now’s the time to address potential obstacles before they become bigger problems.

Hughen said questions such as how to track attendance, what credit should be for dual enrollment and how high schools will be affected need to be answered.

“The more we have answers to those obstacles, it’s going to open up a lot of doors for people,” he said. “In my 22 years, if there’s not an easy answer, the answer’s always no.”

Hughen said he is supportive of the program and encourages students to talk to their administrators and school boards about it.

Smith said she’s planning more outreach to high schools to share information on Early College.

“I am also starting to go out to meet with high schools to create ‘a memorandum of understanding’ between the high school and the college,” Smith said.

In the meantime, Early College experiences have been varied but positive.

Students are in charge of arranging transportation to the college, fitting classes into their schedules and, if applicable, advocating for dual college and high school credit. Students also can take classes in the summer or at night without coordinating with high schools.

Nashua High School South senior Mallory Fogel fulfilled nearly all her credits needed for graduation after fall semester, leaving her with an open schedule this spring.

With help from NHS South teacher Lisa Yates, she signed up for Early College. The program satisfies her remaining English requirement, and she also takes science classes, building credit toward a degree in chemical engineering at UNH next fall.

With no reason to attend class at NHS South, Fogel solely attends NCC now.

Yates helps students at NHS South navigate the college application process. She said Fogel is the first South student to take Early College classes.

“It’s good for other students to see leaders like (Fogel) try something new, which will hopefully open the door for others,” she said.

“It’s also good to have one foot in both worlds,” Yates said.

Carolyn Nee, a home-schooled senior, began the Early College Honors Program last fall and said the experience has helped her get used to college-level academics. “It’s not that difficult once you learn how it all works. It’s something that’s very achievable,” Nee said.

Darius Grauslys, an Academy for Science and Design sophomore, took his first Early College course, astronomy, at age 13. “Everyone else there were adults. Some of them felt a little weird … but everything went smoothly,” he said.

This semester, Grauslys is the sole student in a calculus course at NCC. “I really like it. There’s no distraction; it’s just me.”

Stephen Meidell, NCC Honors Program coordinator, said age isn’t an issue. “If you’re ready for it intellectually, you’ll succeed,” he said.

Home-schooled senior Sean Joly is in NCC’s Honors Program and has been taking Early College classes for three years. “We don’t have an official curriculum. This has basically become my high school experience,” he said. He’s considering moving on to SNHU and Bentley next fall.

Merrimack senior Tanisha Mitrano fits her Early College class because of early release. “I feel a lot more responsible, and I’m more on top of my assignments. It’s been a good experience,” she said.

Hudson sophomore Rebecca Dopp takes American Sign Language in lieu of her language requirement at Alvirne. Dopp is planning to take all four ASL classes at the college. “I want to either be an interpreter or a teacher,” she said.

Zan Aslett, a junior at Hollis Brookline, is taking AP calculus in high school this year but wants to take higher-level math classes at NCC as a senior. “I wanted to continue with calculus so there’s not this gap year before college calculus,” he said.

Smith said students can contact her for more information on Early College at sasmith@ccsnh.edu or 578-8900, ext. 1501. “First step is to contact me and learn about Early College and all the opportunities it may offer. A student may inquire with their counselor as to what type of courses they may be open to dual credit, if that is nice to know up front,” she said.

Tina Forbes can be reached at 594-6402, tforbes@nashuatelegraph.com or @Telegraph_TinaF.