UNE and Kennebunk High School sign agreement for qualifying students to earn college credit
The University of New England (UNE) and Kennebunk High School (KHS) recently signed an agreement between the two institutions that enables high performing KHS students who matriculate at UNE to earn college transfer credits, potentially enabling the students to earn a bachelor’s degree in just three years.
The agreement, signed by representatives from the two institutions during a Kennebunk School Board meeting on March 20, gives Kennebunk High graduates the opportunity to receive course credit at UNE, if accepted to the university, via two different routes: Advanced Placement (AP) exams and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams. If students’ scores on AP exams or IB exams meet specific cut-offs, they can earn between three and eight transfer credits per exam. Those students who are able to transfer a minimum of 30 credits, through AP exams scores, IB exam scores or a combination of the two may enroll at UNE, if accepted, with sophomore standing.
UNE President Danielle Ripich stated, “This agreement provides a chance for high achieving Kennebunk High Schools students to enter college with a significant number of credits under their belts—not to mention up to a 25 percent cost savings on tuition; and it offers UNE a greater opportunity to attract Maine’s best and brightest students. It’s certainly a mutually beneficial arrangement, and we’re looking forward to welcoming Kennebunk’s top-notch students to UNE.”
RSU 21 Superintendent Katie Hawes stated, “We are proud to build upon our successful partnership with UNE through this articulation agreement. Currently, 70 percent of KHS students take one or more IB, AP, or Early College class prior to high school graduation. It is our hope that this agreement will provide further incentive for our students to challenge themselves and enter college with credits already in hand.”
Kennebunk High School offers both Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs. There are 16 different AP exams on which qualifying scores will earn UNE credits, including exams in biology, calculus, chemistry, English, history, government and politics, physics, statistics and studio art. The exams are typically taken in the junior or senior year of high school. There are 13 International Baccalaureate exams on which qualifying grades will earn UNE credits. They pertain to subjects including literature and language, American history, environmental systems and societies, biology, physics, mathematics, visual arts, business and management, economics, Spanish and French.
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To learn more about the College of Arts and Sciences, visit www.une.edu/cas
To apply to UNE, visit www.une.edu/admissions