Summer College Experience program offers rising sophomore and junior students an opportunity to earn college credit

Twenty rising sophomores and juniors had the opportunity to participate in the Summer College Experience (SCE) and earn college credits this summer.

Hampton City Schools (HCS) partnered with Virginia Peninsula Community College (VPCC) to offer the fourth SCE program on the VPCC campus. The previous summer, one five-week course was offered to participants. However, due to the program's success, it was decided to offer it again to students who had successfully completed it last summer, allowing them to earn additional credits. Rising sophomores are participating in the course "Earth and Time," while rising juniors are taking "Waves and Winds."

“We were excited to expand our offering of a college experience to two cohorts this year,” shared Sean Callender, HCS director of secondary education leadership. “We were intentional to provide support to our cohorts with instructional coaches and multiple field experiences to allow our students to be successful. Our goal is to help them see their future either in college or in a career. Knowing that they can be successful with the rigor that college courses offer, they leave this program with the knowledge that they can successfully complete difficult academic courses.”

The successful completion of the program was celebrated at a culminating event on July 25, 2024, at Kecoughtan Hall in the Gator Café at VPCC.