Penn High School Early College Academy
Earn a College Degree While Still in High School!
Get a head start on college, save on tuition, and build your future!
Penn High School’s Early College Academy (ECA) gives students the opportunity to earn college credits, complete the Indiana College Core (ICC), or earn an Associate of General Studies degree from Ivy Tech Community College while simultaneously earning their Penn High School diploma.
Established in 2014, the Early College Academy was designed to make higher education more accessible, especially for students who may face financial or other barriers to attending college.
Through Penn’s partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, students take dual credit courses taught at Penn High School by credentialed teachers. These courses allow students to earn both high school and college credits, potentially saving thousands of dollars in future college tuition.
Making College Dreams a Reality
For many Penn Early College Academy students, earning college credits while in high school is more than an academic achievement. It’s an opportunity to become the first member of their family to attend college.
By earning college credits or completing an associate degree before high school graduation, students can reduce financial barriers and gain confidence in their ability to succeed in higher education.
Click here to watch a video of what this opportunity meant to one Class of 2019 ECA graduate.
Penn Early College Academy: Class of 2026 Success
The Class of 2026 marked the ninth graduating cohort of Penn High School’s Early College Academy, continuing a tradition of outstanding student achievement.
Of the 132 Early College Academy students who graduated in June 2026:
- 116 students earned an associate degree from Ivy Tech Community College while graduating from Penn High School.
- 12 students completed the Indiana College Core (ICC), earning valuable college credits toward their future degrees.
Penn High School Ranks #1 in Indiana for Ivy Tech College Credentials
Penn High School ranks #1 in Indiana for the number of students earning Indiana College Core (ICC) credentials or Associate of General Studies (AGS) degrees through Ivy Tech Community College.
This achievement reflects Penn’s commitment to providing exceptional opportunities for students to earn college credits and credentials while still in high school.
Penn’s success in college readiness was also recognized by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), which awarded the school the Excellence in College Readiness Award and a $250,000 grant in 2023.
How Does Penn’s Early College Academy Work?
Through a partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, Penn students enroll in college-level dual credit courses taught by credentialed high school teachers.
Students earn college credits while completing their high school graduation requirements, allowing eligible students to pursue:
- Penn High School Diploma: Complete Indiana’s high school graduation requirements while taking college-level coursework.
- Indiana College Core (ICC): Earn a 30-credit-hour block of college-level general education coursework that transfers as a package to Indiana’s public colleges and universities.
- Associate of General Studies (AGS) Degree: Complete the requirements for an associate degree from Ivy Tech Community College before graduating from Penn High School.
Watch the video below to discover the benefits of Penn High School’s Early College Academy.
Benefits of Penn’s Early College Academy
SAVE MONEY ON COLLEGE TUITION
Earning college credits or an associate degree while in high school can significantly reduce future college expenses.
GET A HEAD START ON COLLEGE
Students can graduate from high school with valuable college credits already earned, potentially shortening the time needed to complete a bachelor’s degree.
EXPERIENCE COLLEGE-LEVEL ACADEMICS
Students develop strong study habits, academic confidence, and college readiness skills through rigorous coursework in a familiar high school setting.
EXPAND ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION
The Early College Academy creates opportunities for students who may be the first in their families to attend college or who face financial barriers to pursuing higher education.
Penn Early College Academy Earns Statewide Recognition
Indiana’s First Early College High School to Earn Level 2 Endorsement with Distinction
Penn High School’s Early College Academy has earned statewide recognition for the quality and effectiveness of its college readiness program.
In April 2019, the Academy received its initial Early College High School endorsement from the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) at the University of Indianapolis.
In 2022, Penn’s Early College Academy earned the prestigious Level 2 Endorsement with Distinction.
Penn High School became the first Early College High School in Indiana to achieve this level of distinction.
The endorsement recognizes the Academy’s commitment to implementing CELL’s Eight Core Principles of an effective Early College program.
CELL’s Eight Core Principles of Early College
- Targeted Student Population
- Curriculum & Plan of Study
- College-Going Culture
- Rigorous Instruction
- Supports for Student Success
- Collaboration & Partnerships
- Leadership & Staffing
- Data Collection, Analysis, and Use
Penn Selected to Mentor Other Indiana Early College High Schools
Penn High School’s Early College Academy was selected by the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) as one of just four Indiana schools chosen to serve as a UCAN School Mentor.
Through the UCAN program, established Early College High Schools partner with schools seeking to develop their own Early College programs.
As a mentor school, Penn shares its expertise in dual credit opportunities, college readiness, and student success to help other Indiana schools expand access to college-level coursework.
The initiative is supported by the University of Indianapolis’ Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL), which provides professional development and guidance to participating schools.
Explore Penn High School’s Early College Academy
Why wait until after high school to start earning college credits?
Penn High School’s Early College Academy provides students with personalized academic guidance and opportunities to earn college credits, reduce future college costs, and prepare for success in higher education.
Early College Academy Eligibility & Enrollment
Students are identified as potential candidates during middle school based on specific eligibility criteria. Participation is primarily by invitation, and students must be enrolled in the Early College Academy at the beginning of their freshman year to take Academy-specific courses.
Learn More About Penn’s Early College Academy
- Meet the Early College Academy Faculty
- Explore Penn’s Program of Studies (search Early College Academy)
- Discover Penn High School’s Eight Academies