At CCBC, Students Get a Head Start on College

At first, Shawn Brown wasn't too happy at the thought of giving up some of his summer months to attend school.

But the rising junior at Lansdowne High School had heard from his friend that the Upward Bound program at would help prepare him for college, so he decided it was worth it.

The program is multi-year program that gives students a leg up on college through summer courses and academic support during the school year.

So for the past six weeks, Brown was living in dormitories at during the week and attending classes from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day at CCBC Catonsville.

"It makes me feel like I'm in college," Brown said during a break from class recently. "I'm not used to staying at school."

Sherron Edwards, the program director for the program at CCBC Catonsville, said students spending time at a college campus in the summer helps them get a feel for what college will be like.

"We want them to have the feeling that they're in college," she said. "That's the design of the program."

Throughout the day, students are responsible for getting themselves to and from classes around campus. In the evening hours, they spend time together in the dorms studying and doing other activities.

A total of 62 students are in the program year-round for CCBC Catonsville. Students come from Milford Mill Academy, Randallstown High School, Pikesville High School, Woodlawn High School and Lansdowne High School.

By the end of the program, students will have taken summer classes and have the opportunity to receive credit for college courses. During the school year, they receive tutoring or any support they need.

Michael Branch, who just graduated from Woodlawn High School, said at first he was intimidated with idea of spending summers in college. But through the program he was able to improve his academic skills and focus on his goals for college. Branch will attend Howard University.

"In the beginning it was like school," he said. "Now it's like fun."