Home of the Titans · A program of Lorain City Schools & Lorain County Community College

Diploma & degree.
In the same four years.

The Early College Academy at Lorain High School. Graduate with a Lorain Titans diploma and an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science from LCCC — taught on campus, paid in full, no exceptions.

Apply for 9th Grade → See Degree Maps

Tuition · Books · Fees

60+credits

Toward Bachelor's

100

Seats Per Cohort

36+ohio tm

Transfer Module Credits

I Why Early College

A college degree, paid in full, on time.

Most students graduate high school with a diploma and a tuition bill. Early College students leave with the diploma and up to two years of accredited college coursework already earned.

Free college, in your community

Tuition, fees, and required textbooks for the LCCC coursework are fully covered. Families pay nothing to attend.

II.

Taught on the LHS campus

College courses are taught in Lorain High School classrooms by LCCC-approved instructors. You stay a Titan — same halls, same friends, same field.

III.

Bachelor's runway built in

Students who complete the associate degree qualify for scholarship support to finish a bachelor's through LCCC's University Partnership — under one roof.

II Two Paths In

Whether you're applying or already here.

Most students join the cohort in 9th grade. Others step in through College Credit Plus after the year starts. Both paths earn the same accredited college credit.

For Prospective Students & Families

Apply for the 9th-grade cohort.

One hundred incoming 9th graders are accepted each year. Priority is given to first-generation college students and to families historically underrepresented in higher education.

Pass the 8th grade in good standing
Strong attendance + acceptable discipline record
Family interview as part of selection
No application fee

Request Info → Lorain Schools Apply Portal ↗

For Current Lorain HS Students

Step in through College Credit Plus.

Already enrolled at LHS and want to start earning college credit? CCP lets eligible students take LCCC courses one at a time, with credit toward both a diploma and a future degree.

Talk with your counselor about CCP eligibility
3.0+ unweighted GPA or qualifying placement score
Submit CCP intent form by spring deadline
Plan courses with counselor + LCCC advisor

Talk to a Counselor → LHS Early College page ↗

III Degree Maps

Two degrees. One head start.

Both LCCC associate degrees follow Ohio's Transfer Module — a 36-credit core that transfers to every Ohio public four-year university. Pick the pathway that fits your future major.

AA · Liberal Arts Pathway

Associate of Arts

For students transferring into humanities, social science, education, business, or pre-law at a four-year university.

English Composition2 ENGL courses 6

Social & Behavioral Sciences2 different disciplines 9

Arts & Humanities2 different disciplines 9

Mathematics / Stats / Logic1 course 3

Natural Sciences1 must include a lab 6

Student DevelopmentSDEV 101 1

Transfer ElectivesOhio Transfer 36 or other LCCC 26+

Minimum to Graduate 60credit hours

AS · STEM Pathway

Associate of Science

For students transferring into engineering, health sciences, computer science, biology, mathematics, or other STEM majors.

English Composition2 ENGL courses 6

Social & Behavioral Sciences2 different disciplines 6

Arts & Humanities2 different disciplines 6

Mathematics / Stats / Logic3-credit minimum 3+

Natural Sciences1 must include a lab 6

Student DevelopmentSDEV 101 1

Math/Science ElectivesTo reach AS minimum 34+

Minimum to Graduate 62credit hours

Ohio Transfer 36. Both degrees include the state-defined 36-credit transfer module, which is accepted course-for-course by every Ohio public university. LCCC advisors map each course to a student's intended bachelor's program before enrollment.

IV Sample Course Catalog

College courses taught at LHS.

A snapshot of the LCCC courses Early College students take while still in high school. Course availability rotates each semester — see your counselor for the current LCCC offerings.

English

College Composition I

English

College Composition II

English

English Literature

Math

Trigonometry

Math

Statistics

Science · Lab

Biology

Science · Lab

Chemistry

Science

Meteorology

Social Sci.

U.S. History

Social Sci.

Psychology

Social Sci.

Comparative Politics

Finance

Personal Finance

Humanities

Music Appreciation

First-Year

SDEV 101 · Student Development

Plus additional electives in business, education, and the arts each year.

V Admissions

What it takes to get in.

Two distinct admissions paths — the 9th-grade Early College cohort and ongoing College Credit Plus. Each has its own bar.

Path I · 9th-Grade Entry

Early College Cohort

Incoming 8th graders applying to start Early College in 9th grade.

Pass the 8th grade in good academic standing
Strong attendance pattern (chronic absence is disqualifying)
Acceptable discipline record
Student + family interview as part of selection
Priority consideration for first-generation college families

One hundred seats are awarded each year. Applications open in winter for the following 9th-grade class.

Path II · College Credit Plus

CCP Course-by-Course

Current LHS students who want to begin earning college credit at any point during high school.

3.0+ unweighted high school GPA, or
2.75+ GPA with an A or B in the relevant subject
College-ready ACT, SAT, Accuplacer, or ALEKS score
Complete CCP intent form by April 1
LCCC application + signed parent/student permission

Eligible students can take a single college course or build a full semester of CCP. Your counselor + LCCC advisor will plan it together.

VI From Application to Degree

Four years. Two stages.

A repeatable, four-step process — same support, same milestones, every year.

Apply

Submit the Lorain Schools application in 8th grade. Family + student interview follows in spring.

Winter · 8th grade

Enroll

Accepted students complete LCCC College Credit Plus paperwork and meet with an LCCC advisor.

Spring · 8th grade

III

Build credits

Take a blended schedule of LHS + LCCC courses each semester. Stay on a mapped degree pathway.

9th–12th grade

Graduate twice

Walk at the LHS graduation. Cross the stage again at LCCC for the associate degree.

12th grade

VII Frequently Asked

Answers for families.

Questions we hear most often from incoming families and current Titans considering CCP.

Does Early College really cost nothing?

Yes. Tuition, fees, and required textbooks for the LCCC courses are covered while students are enrolled in the program. Students who complete the associate degree are also eligible for scholarship support to finish a bachelor's degree at LCCC through the University Partnership.

Where are the classes actually held?

Most college courses meet on the Lorain High School campus, taught by instructors approved by Lorain County Community College. Select advanced courses may be taken at LCCC's main campus or through the University Partnership.

Will my student still get the Lorain High experience?

Yes. Early College students remain Lorain Titans — they take part in athletics, clubs, dances, prom, and walk in the LHS graduation. The college coursework is built into their schedule alongside high-school classes, not in place of student life.

What if a college course doesn't go well?

Students get support from both the LHS academic team and a dedicated LCCC advisor. If a college course isn't the right fit in a given term, the schedule is adjusted — there's no penalty to refining the plan year over year.

Can a student start College Credit Plus after 9th grade?

Yes. CCP is available to any Lorain HS student who meets the placement criteria (3.0+ unweighted GPA or a qualifying ACT, SAT, Accuplacer, or ALEKS score). Talk to your counselor about the spring intent form deadline and the LCCC application.

Will the credits transfer to a four-year university?

Both LCCC associate degrees include the Ohio Transfer 36 module, which transfers course-for-course to every Ohio public four-year institution. Most private Ohio schools and many out-of-state universities also accept the credits — your LCCC advisor maps every course to your intended bachelor's program before you enroll.

VIII Contact