The Pennsylvania Highlands Community College Accelerated College Education (ACE) Program provides leadership in maintaining partnerships with secondary education institutions that offer high school students the opportunity to earn college credit and high school credit concurrently as they enroll in and complete Pennsylvania Highlands Community College courses at an approved high school campus. 

The Accelerated College Education (ACE) Program is a partnership between Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and participating high schools. ACE offers college credits to high school students during the regular school day. ACE courses are taught by certified high school teachers who assure that the academic rigor is equivalent to the same course taught on the Pennsylvania Highlands campus. ACE provides both high school and college credit (concurrent enrollment) allowing students to fulfill high school graduation requirements while earning college credits.

ACE began in 2004 with seven high schools, enrolling 275 students, and offering 29 sections of Pennsylvania Highlands courses. Today, ACE operates in more than 45 high schools across 10 counties and works with more than 250 instructors who teach ACE courses to over 1,800 students. Student enrollment growth demonstrates that the ACE experience is beneficial. Each year, new high schools become ACE partners allowing for more high school students to expand their educational opportunities.

ACE classes are college-level courses offered to high school students for both high school and college credit. Students enroll in courses at both the high school and the College and register online. Click Here to Apply. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College credits are recorded on a permanent college record and transcript. High schools are responsible for recording high school credits. Both vocational and general education classes may be offered.

ACE faculty are qualified high school faculty who have been approved to instruct PHCC courses. Courses taught at the high school are the same courses taught on the PHCC site and syllabi, assignments, textbooks, exams and grading requirements are equivalent. ACE Faculty Liaisons monitor high school ACE courses.

The high school has the primary responsibility for identifying students who are eligible to participate in ACE courses. Student eligibility requirements must be selective enough to predict a successful experience.

Students who are both capable of completing more advanced work and have a serious commitment to putting forth the required extra effort are encouraged to apply.

• Enroll in Pennsylvania Highlands Community College courses while simultaneously earning a high school diploma.
• College equivalent courses are taught by high school faculty on the student’s high school campus.
• Earn college credits while attending high school and begin college with transferable credits.
• Improve abilities and skills to complete college work for credit.
• Increase confidence from success in college-level courses.
• Experience college level expectations from equivalent curriculum and assessment.
• Receive an official college transcript.