Jamestown Community College officials are proposing a change to its College Connections program.

The program is a collaboration between JCC and partner high schools in the region that allows high school students to earn JCC course credit. The content, assignments, projects, and assessments in College Connections courses are consistent with those taught on the JCC campus. College Connections students work towards the same outcomes as those enrolled in on-campus courses. Students who successfully complete College Connections courses earn JCC credit, which is verified by an official transcript.

High school instructors who teach College Connections courses are reviewed, selected, and supported by JCC faculty. These instructors work with JCC faculty liaisons to ensure that their courses give students an opportunity to experiment with the academic rigor of university coursework while in high school. Students can graduate high school and have a chunk of their JCC course credit earned as well.

Starting next year JCC officials are proposing to begin charging high schools to participate in the College Connections program. Participating next year will cost school districts 11% of the regular rate per credit hour. Plans are to increase that to 33% starting in 2026-27.

College Connections has been a great deal for high school students. It makes sense that JCC would want to begin to monetize the program given what has happened to its enrollment and cost structure over the years.

But there is a potential downside that college officials should consider. College Connections has been a way for JCC to convert some high school students into JCC students because they had so many free course credits accrued by the time they graduated high school.

It will be interesting to see if charging partner high schools so their students can take part in College Connections courses ends up decreasing the use of College Connections. JCC can’t afford to continue giving credit hours away for free – but chasing revenue can also end up decreasing the number of students who are exposed to JCC courses while they’re in high school.

It’ll be interesting to see how the college’s decision – if approved by the full board – shakes out.