Leaders at Fitchburg State University and the Fitchburg Public Schools renewed the Honors Compact that gives students enrolled at Fitchburg High School’s Honors Academy priority admission to the university as well as access to campus courses, facilities and scholarships.
“Fitchburg State’s core principles include access and affordability, and collaborations like the Honors Compact allow Fitchburg students to achieve college credit while still in high school and to see the opportunities for excellence Fitchburg State can offer them,” said University President Richard S. Lapidus, who is retiring this month after nine years at the institution. “I am proud that this program will continue to benefit Fitchburg’s students for years to come.”
“Fitchburg Public Schools is thankful to Fitchburg State University for continuing the Honors Compact,” said Fitchburg Public Schools Superintendent Jonathan Thompson. “Over the last 11 years we’ve partnered to provide students with expanded early college opportunities, access to Fitchburg State resources and priority admission to the university. We are looking forward to providing our students with increased college opportunities in the incoming years.”
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Fitchburg State University for their continued partnership with Fitchburg Public Schools,” said Fitchburg Public Schools Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning Glenda Colón. “Through the early college program, they have provided our high school students with invaluable access to college-level courses and numerous scholarship opportunities. This collaboration has been instrumental in realizing our vision of expanding access and opportunities for our students, and we deeply appreciate their commitment and support.”
The agreement extends a compact first signed in the fall of 2013 and repeatedly renewed. Since its last renewal in 2020, 43 Honors Academy students have enrolled at Fitchburg State, including 16 who entered its Honors Program. The students have been awarded a total of $160,000 in scholarships thanks to the Honors Compact, completing 870 credits of coursework at the university with a cumulative 3.61 grade point average.
Through the compact, Honors Academy students are granted priority admission to Fitchburg State as well as access to university resources and expanded early college opportunities. Students who go on to enroll in the Fitchburg State Honors Program are guaranteed the annual $2,000 Honors Scholarship and an additional $1,000 scholarship each year because of the Honors Compact.