Early College

WA offers on campus AP courses in English Literature, US History, Calculus, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Music and Art. In addition, students have access to online AP courses offered through the state of Maine program AP4ME. Those online AP course options include Computer Science, Environmental Science, European History, Macro and/or Microeconomics, Psychology, Spanish Language, Statistics, US Government and World History.

Another way to get a head start at college is to take classes at the nearby University of Maine at Machias (UMM). Students will receive both high school and college credit for their UMM courses, giving them a head start on their college degrees. Students only pay for books, and can take up to four courses each year for free.  Students wishing to take more than four courses will receive a reduced tuition rate. Students must sign up for UMM campus courses through ExplorEC in order for them to be free. (Students who pay tuition to attend Washington Academy do not qualify for free early college courses, however, are able to take college courses at a reduced tuition rate.)

Our guidance counselors work closely with the UMM Early College office and students receive full academic support both at WA and on the UMM campus. Transportation is available for students who elect to take advantage of this opportunity.

Alumna Lacie Glidden loved the public speaking course she took at UMM:

"It was a great opportunity to experience college life and all I had to pay for were my books. The UMM program is a good introduction to managing a syllabus, and interacting with college kids while still having the safety of WA."

Students must register for online early college courses through ExplorEC. Students may take up to four courses per year tuition-free, paying only for textbooks. (Students who pay tuition to attend Washington Academy do not qualify for free early college courses, however, are able to take college courses at a reduced tuition rate.)

• Rural U, the online program run by the University of Maine at Fort Kent
• Academ-e, the online program run by the University of Maine
• ECAP, the online program run by Husson University
• Online courses run through the Early College program at the University of Maine at Machias.

These courses are included in a student’s regular academic day schedule and are facilitated by our online course coordinator. Learning how to navigate online courses is a skill necessary to be successful in today’s academic world.

Students can also register to take Thomas College courses right on WA’s campus taught by WA faculty with advanced degrees. These courses are built into the daily WA class schedule and are completely free of charge to our students. Thomas College courses happen at WA so students can participate in all of WA’s extracurricular activities.