Thirty-five Wareham Middle School students could be getting an early start to high school in the near future. Wareham High School Principal Scott Palladino unveiled a dual enrollment program for the middle school at the School Committee meeting on Dec. 4.

Dual enrollment courses allow students to take classes that are above their school level, meaning high school students can take college courses or – in this case – middle school students can take high school courses. This can allow students to take more high school courses and potentially get a head start on Advanced Placement courses which can count towards college credit.

The courses featured would be in core subjects.

“This has actually been in the works a few years to be quite frank,” Palladino said.

“I just think we should have been doing this yesterday,” said committee member Michael Flaherty.

While Palladino's proposal has 35 8th grade students getting the opportunity to join the program, committee member Cliff Sylvia recommended the number of students be raised to 40.

Students would have to apply. Participants would be selected on the basis of current grades, attendance, discipline, a letter of application and interviews.

“The motivation of students will play a larger role than the grades,” said Deborah Freitas, high school assistant principal.

Presently, the high school has dual enrollment courses for its 11th and 12th graders. These are collegiate classes.

“We thought this would be a great way to transition freshmen into the high school,” Palladino said. “It gives 8th graders a chance to take some freshmen level courses.”

“We have seen a tremendous amount of advantages for students… We had some students last year who started their first year that should have been their freshman year, they were sophomores,” Palladino said.

Freitas gave an example of two students in the high school’s dual enrollment program with area colleges.

“Maybe they were influenced a little bit by their advisers, but they did take on the challenge themselves, and the growth that I saw in those two students both maturity-wise and academically – and as Mr. Palladino said, to eliminate a year of college – they were ready for college in more ways than one,” Freitas said. “They were ready for that transition because they were a part of it all along.”

“I know if I had the chance to experience high school work before I even got to high school, the transition would have been much smoother,” said Nicole Russo, student representative.

Students would begin every day at high school, take two courses and head back to the middle school. From there, the students would follow the normal middle school schedule.

The proposal states the program would offer four high school courses: English 9 honors, introduction to the physical world, algebra one honors, or French/Spanish one honors.

“They earn the high school credits as 8th graders while fulfilling the middle school graduation requirements,” Palladino said.

The students would be exposed to the more rigorous course work in the high school in hopes of better preparing the students for high school.

“Our goal, ultimately, is more Wareham Middle School students will choose the Wareham High School – or buy our brand, if you will,” Palladino explained.

Palladino expects Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System test scores to rise as a result of the middle school students beginning the course work earlier.

With these students taking high school course while still in middle school, this would also give them a chance to graduate early.

“They're are definitely classes I’m not going to be able to take because I didn’t have this leg up that they will,” Russo said.

“This is enriching the experiences of the students who are outstanding achievers and want to achieve even more,” committee member Geoffrey Swett said.

Appearing in front of the school committee was just the first step in a 6-month-long process. The next step will not take place until Jan. 10 when a presentation on the program will be given to 7th graders. Applications would begin on Jan. 16 and end Feb. 14, acceptance notifications would commence on April 1 and orientation would begin May 20.

The proposal passed 4-0-0.

“Put the pedal to the metal,” committee member Sylvia said. “Let’s get it done.”