The CHS Advantage

By enrolling in the Collegiate High School Program at a fraction of the cost of entering college after high school, students are provided an opportunity to accelerate their journey toward entering the workforce earlier than their peers.

The Collegiate High School Program is embedded within the center of the College of the Mainland campus. Students have a designated area to remain connected to their Collegiate High School team and peers, but they have full access and autonomy on campus to develop a sense of belonging. Students truly benefit from learning college readiness by living the life of a college student.

Students enrolled in Collegiate High School are placed in courses at College of the Mainland with two goals in mind. Both of these goals are achieved through engaging and challenging coursework.

• The First Priority is to complete all courses necessary to obtain a high school diploma. To complete this, students may be enrolled in high school credit-only courses (offered at COM by certified instructors). Additionally, students may be enrolled in dual credit courses. The dual credit courses provide high school and college credit.
• The Second Priority is to complete courses to achieve an associate's degree. Some courses taken toward this goal require students to take college coursework that applies solely to a college degree.

Students have immediate access to multiple on-campus resources. The college provides instant access to the tutoring center, library services, student support services, peer tutors, health and wellness resources, and other departments that provide ongoing support.

Collegiate High School students have the unique opportunity to actively participate in national, state, and local-level clubs and organizations. Most officer positions in these clubs and organizations at College of the Mainland are held by our Collegiate High School students. Students in our program who participate in these opportunities develop a stronger sense of self-worth and independence and make numerous life-changing connections through networking. By participating in a program embedded on the College of the Mainland campus, students gain a broad worldview of the importance of connection and community.

There are two career embedded opportunities exclusive to the students in the Collegiate High School Program.

Experiential Learning Workshops

Students have the opportunity to choose workshops on Fridays and during the college hour to gain hands-on experience through real-life learning experiences. Various programs at COM open their labs and enrich our Collegiate Students lives by providing actual learning experiences. Whether they scrub in and deliver a baby or learn how to write an abstract for their future dissertation, our departments are opening their doors and investing in our future leaders.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Gulf Coast COM Workplace Mentor/Mentee Program

In our partnership with BBBSGC, we are an official site for workplace mentorship. Collegiate High School students volunteer to sign up highlighting their career field of interest. These students are matched with a COM employee in that career field and they are offered monthly mentorship from an expert in the field. This has opened the doors for many of our students as they are introduced to a broader network of skilled professionals and have another support resource here at College of the Mainland.