MEDIA, PA — Delaware County Community College (DCCC) and Monsignor Bonner & Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School have entered into a landmark partnership allowing Bonner & Prendie students to earn college credits while still in high school at no cost to their families.
The agreement, signed under DCCC’s High School Dual Enrollment (HDSE) Structured Pathways program, marks the first such arrangement between the college and a private high school. Fourteen students are enrolled in the initiative this fall, with Bonner & Prendie covering all expenses. DCCC already maintains similar Structured Pathways with five public high schools across Delaware and Chester Counties.
“This unique relationship will allow our students to truly get ahead with their post-secondary plans while saving money and time,” said Bonner & Prendie President Dr. John Cooke, emphasizing the program’s value in preparing students for higher education.
The Structured Pathways model goes beyond traditional dual enrollment by aligning courses, advising, and career exploration. Students can pursue two tracks:
- Business Academy Pathway – A two-year sequence allowing students to earn 24 credits toward an associate degree in Business Administration.
- Pre-Nursing Pathway – A two-year program enabling students to earn 23 credits, 16 of which apply to a Health Studies degree and 14 that fulfill nursing program prerequisites.
This fall, participating students are taking afternoon classes at DCCC’s Upper Darby Center. Beginning in spring 2026, they will transition to the College’s new multimillion-dollar education and workforce training facility at the former Archbishop Prendergast High School site, adjacent to Bonner & Prendie.
In addition to the 14 students in the structured programs, seven more Bonner & Prendie students are enrolled in DCCC’s Open Dual Enrollment program, which allows any qualified high school sophomore, junior, or senior to take college courses either at DCCC campuses or online.
Other options under the HDSE umbrella include College in the High School/Concurrent Enrollment, which permits students to earn credits through courses taught at their own high schools by vetted faculty.
“This partnership not only accelerates our students’ pathways to degrees but also ensures they gain the confidence, readiness, and skills needed for college and beyond,” said Bonner & Prendie Principal Andrea Ciliberti.
DCCC Vice President of Enrollment Management Gina Macklin underscored the program’s practical benefits: “Dual enrollment gives families peace of mind—knowing their student isn’t just earning college credit, but also following a clear plan that saves money, shortens time to a degree, and builds confidence for the future.”
By extending dual enrollment opportunities to private school students through this partnership, DCCC and Bonner & Prendie are broadening access to affordable higher education pathways while building bridges between secondary and post-secondary institutions in the region.
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