A new agreement between ConVal High School and Nashua Community College will offer introductory college courses at the Peterborough high school to the general public.
ConVal will host a three-credit early childhood education course and a four-credit biology course beginning next month. Both courses are geared towards those with an interest in a career in health services.
“Peterborough has a large health care employment community – there is Monadnock Community Hospital and five retirement homes in the area,” Nashua Community College Director of Admissions Laura Tremblay said. “Rather than traveling to Nashua, those looking forward to improving their lifestyle or career will have classes available in Peterborough.”
There will be informational sessions on Wednesday in the Monadnock Community Hospital cafeteria from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and in the RiverMead auditorium from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to explain degree and certificate pathways available through these courses.
An informational and registration night will also be held at ConVal on Jan. 10 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with a snow date of Jan. 14.
Tremblay said ConVal students already have two avenues to take college courses through Nashua Community College – “Early College,” which allows high school students to to earn high school and college credit for Nashua Community College courses, and “Running Start,” which allows high school teachers to become certified through Nashua Community College to teach college courses during the day at ConVal.
“We’re proud of our partnership with ConVal, and we hope bringing these two courses to the ConVal campus promote college access and help adult learners and high school students work toward their educational goals,” Tremblay said.
Tremblay said the new partnership allowing community members to take Nashua Community College courses at ConVal is the first of its kind between the two schools.
“We are planting the seed and offering opportunities,” Tremblay said.
The new courses offered in Peterborough will serve as a precursor to more classes each semester held at ConVal, Tremblay said. The college is already mapping out what future offerings will look like.
Registration for the ConVal-based classes must be completed by Jan. 15, with classes beginning on Jan 22.
Tremblay believes there will be enough room for 24 students in each course, though classroom size will be a factor.
For more information, contact Tremblay at 578-8919 or by email at ltremblay@ccsnh.edu.
Nicholas Handy can be reached at 924-7172 ext. 235 or nhandy@ledgertranscript.com.