Penn Early College Students Experience College Life on Annual College Blitz Trip

Penn High School Early College students recently stepped outside the classroom to explore college campuses across Indiana during the program’s annual College Blitz Trip.

Since 2023, the Early College Academy has taken students on four College Blitz Trips with the goal of helping juniors, and sometimes sophomores when space allows, experience college life firsthand. The two-day trip gives students the opportunity to visit multiple campuses that would be difficult to see during a traditional one-day field trip and helps them imagine what their future could look like after high school.

This year’s trip included visits to Indiana University Bloomington, Purdue University West Lafayette, IU Indianapolis, and Butler University. Students experienced everything from large Big Ten campuses to a downtown city setting and a smaller private university atmosphere. The variety allowed students to compare campus environments, explore academic programs, and start thinking about which type of school feels right for them.

The experience also focused on building connections within the Early College program. On Tuesday night, students shared a memorable bonding moment when they were recognized at an Indiana Pacers game.

About Penn’s Early College Academy

Penn High School’s Early College Academy gives students the opportunity to begin their college journey while still in high school. Through a partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, students take dual credit courses taught by credentialed Penn teachers, allowing them to earn college credits while completing high school graduation requirements.

The program supports students as they build confidence, develop college readiness skills, and work toward earning significant college credit, and in some cases an Associate’s Degree, before graduating from Penn High School. Early College continues to open doors for students by providing access, support, and real college experiences that help prepare them for success after graduation.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

College Blitz Trips are an extension of the Early College mission. By walking college campuses, meeting with admissions staff, and seeing college life up close, students gain valuable perspective that helps make their next steps feel more real and achievable. For many students, the trip is more than a visit. It is a chance to see themselves on a college campus and begin planning for what comes next.

To learn more about Penn’s Early College Academy click here.