TAKING AN EARLY COLLEGE COURSE

High school students can take up to 12 college credits (typically 4 classes) at any public Maine college for FREE! Beginning with the Class of 2027, students will be capped at 18 credits over their high school career. Students are only responsible for the cost of books. This is a great opportunity to take a class that we don't offer at PRHS, to see what college is really like and to get a jumpstart on earning college credits. Classes are offered both in-person and online. If you are interested, please be sure to talk with your counselor before registering!

University of Maine System or the Maine Community College System

Search & Register for a college class within the University of Maine System (USM, UMaine, UMFK, etc)
Search & Register for classes within the Maine Community College System (CMCC, SMCC, etc)
- Click on "High School Student" and create an account (if you don't already have one). Need help? Check out these tutorials - created by UMaine Augusta, but the directions on creating your ExplorEC account apply to all campuses.
Credits With a Purpose Flyer

Husson University

You can take up to 6 credits per semester (typically 2 classes)- even if you are taking classes within the UMaine or MCC System.
Click here to search and register for a course

Bates College

Bates Early College Program offers free college classes to local high school seniors. This is a competitive program that requires an application which includes a short written response about why you want to take classes at Bates. TWO recommendation letters are requried: one from a teacher and one from your counselor. Deadline: TBA for 2025 - typically mid-May.

Check in with your counselor if you are interested in looking at early college opportunites at other colleges/universities.