Northern Valley Regional High School District Launches/Expands Early College Degree Program with Bergen Community College
Students Given Opportunity to Earn Associate Degree by High School Graduation
Demarest, NJ – May 14, 2025 – Northern Valley Regional High School District (NVRHS) is proud to announce the launch of its innovative Northern Valley Early College Degree Program, a transformative partnership with Bergen Community College (BCC). This program offers students at Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan and Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest the unique opportunity to earn an Associate of Science (A.S.) degree in Professional Studies from BCC concurrently with their high school diploma.
The Northern Valley Early College Degree Program is designed for motivated students seeking to accelerate their academic journey and gain a significant head start on their higher education or career paths. Through a structured blend of dual enrollment options at Northern Valley, early college courses taken directly through BCC (on campus or online), and potentially Advanced Placement (AP) coursework, students can earn college credits that apply directly to the A.S. degree.
"We are incredibly excited to offer this exceptional program to our students," said James M. Santana, Superintendent of Schools. "The Northern Valley Early College Degree Program not only provides a rigorous academic challenge but also offers tangible benefits, including significant cost savings on college tuition and the invaluable experience of college-level learning while still in the supportive environment of high school. Our partnership with Bergen Community College is instrumental in making this possible."
Students participating in the program will be fully matriculated Bergen Community College students, benefiting from BCC's extensive resources, experienced faculty, and comprehensive support services while also remaining engaged members of their NVRHS school community.
Key benefits of the Northern Valley Early College Degree Program include:
Earning an Associate Degree: Students can graduate from high school with an A.S. in Professional Studies from BCC.
Financial Savings: Significant reduction in future college tuition costs.
Academic Acceleration: Potential to enter a four-year institution as a junior.
Enhanced College Preparedness: Development of critical skills and confidence for success in higher education.
The program is open to eligible NVRHS students who meet specific academic criteria and demonstrate readiness for college-level coursework.