This Tuesday, a select number of high school students in the School District of Philadelphia started college early. 

La Salle University’s Community Scholars program, announced Jan. 10, allows academically advanced high school students from the District to enroll in certain courses offered by the university. 

Juniors and seniors at Central High School and Philadelphia High School for Girls were the first in the District to be eligible to participate in the program. On Tuesday they began attending select spring semester classes which include Introduction to Art, Interpersonal Communication, Introduction to Criminal Justice, Introduction to Macroeconomics, and Introduction to Literature. The District covers the cost of tuition and books. 

“Strong communities need educated citizens, and this partnership is one way that La Salle is working to help build these citizens. La Salle is proud to stand hand in hand with our neighbors, and to share in this responsibility of giving local students opportunities to enrich their high school educations,” said President of La Salle University Dr. Colleen Hanycz in a Jan. 10 press release.