Harper College will be closed Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day.
Dr. Judith Campbell (from left), superintendent, District 211; Dr. Scott Rowe, superintendent,
District 214; Dr. Craig Winkelman, superintendent, Barrington 220; and Dr. Avis Proctor,
president, Harper College; recently announced the College Now program, which will
enable high school students will be able to simultaneously earn an associate degree
at Harper and a high school diploma.
Township High School District 211, Township High School District 214, Barrington Community Unit School District 220, and Harper College are proud to announce the launch of College Now, an innovative program that provides high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to earn an associate degree while completing their high school education.
Beginning in Fall 2026, juniors from the three districts will be able to take courses at Harper College, gaining transferable credits toward a college degree or career credential. They will spend half their day taking courses at their home high school, and the other half taking courses at Harper. Senior year will be primarily spent in classes on Harper’s campus, with the ability to take a class or two at their home campus. Students will be able to participate in extracurricular activities at both their home schools and Harper. At the end of their senior year, participants will cross the stage with both a high school diploma and an associate degree.
The overall cost of the program is $1,000 - $250 per semester for four semesters of classes. The fee covers college coursework, support services, textbooks, and program materials. Each district will be holding upcoming information nights in October and interested students can find more information on Harper’s website at https://www.harpercollege.edu/collegenow. Additional information will be sent out by each high school district over the coming weeks.
The College Now program is the result of a unique collaboration between Harper College and three area districts. The initiative allows students to complete up to two years of transferable college coursework prior to graduating from high school, reducing the overall cost of college and accelerating degree completion.
Township High School District 211 is the largest high school system in Illinois, delivering relevant and innovative education to more than 12,000 students every day. The district is dedicated to academic excellence, innovation, and preparing students for success in college, career, and life.
Serving nearly 12,000 students, District 214 is nationally recognized for its career pathways model, which provides students with opportunities to explore their academic and career interests through rigorous coursework, internships, and partnerships with local employers and higher education institutions.
Serving more than 8,000 students across one high school and multiple elementary and middle schools, Barrington 220 is committed to empowering personal excellence in every learner. The district focuses on innovation, community partnership, and preparing students to thrive in a global society.
Harper College, located in Palatine, Illinois, serves approximately 27,000 credit and non-credit students annually and is dedicated to providing affordable, accessible, and high-quality education. Harper offers a wide range of degree, certificate, and workforce programs to meet the needs of students and the community.