Thirty five Plainville High School students studying Spanish 4 are currently enrolled in the University of Connecticut’s Early College Experience Program, under the direction of Plainville High School World Language teacher Joanne Curley. UConn’s Early College Experience Program, together with the Connecticut high schools that participate, was also featured in a recent New York Times article, noting the success of the dual enrollment program.

Curley returned to the University of Connecticut in 1990 to become certified as a Spanish teacher under the Cooperative Program for Superior High School Students, known as the Coop Program. Curley said when participation first began at Plainville High School in 1991, there was one class of Spanish 4, with four students enrolled in the Coop Program. This year, there are two classes of Spanish 4 at the high school, with 35 students enrolled in the program.

As part of the Coop Program, students who enroll and are accepted, take Spanish 4 classes at Plainville High school, and earn a C or better in class, receive three college credits from the University of Connecticut each semester. Those students who go on to attend the University of Connecticut continue to add credits to their transcripts, while students attending other colleges and universities have the Coop Program credits transferred, with most institutions accepting the Coop Program college credits.

“There are many benefits to participating in the Coop Program,” Curley said. “It looks great for students when they go for their college interviews to let admissions officers know that they are already enrolled in a college course. The course also allows students a preview of what to expect on the college level, and finally, students earn six college credits at a bargain price — $75 per semester to participate.”

“Thanks to the hard work and dedication to this UConn program by Joanne Curley, the students at Plainville High have a wonderful opportunity to experience college Spanish and earn credits towards a degree. It makes sense educationally and economically,” said Plainville High School Principal Greg Ziogas.

Plainville High School students currently enrolled in the UConn Early College Experience program are: Veronica Bys, Monica Casey, Stefano Celli, Jamie Chacho, Gary Costa, Melaney Coyle, Andrew Daniels, Brooke Dawson, Kevin DellaVecchia, Brandon Esau, Nicholas Faniola, Jennifer Farina, Nyia Giraud, Chelsie Green, Adam James, Natalia Krupski, Nicholas LaBella, Corrine Landry, Jason Li, Adrian Majewski, Ryan Martel, Alyssa Martino, Jonathan Milian, Nicole Orzechowski, Rachel Orzechowski, Emily Oshana, Siamara Perry-Perez, Sarah Piorkowski, Jillian Potz, Ashley Raynock, Wendy Rivera, Joanna Rutkowski, Alexander Salazar, Alisha Sherwani and Adrian Toporski.