ABERDEEN, S.D.— The Northern Academy Early College Program offers high school juniors and seniors a valuable opportunity to get a head start on their college journey at Northern State University. Funded by a grant from the South Dakota Education Access Foundation (SDEAF), the program serves students from northeastern South Dakota-area high schools who take college courses on campus in Aberdeen.
The Northern Academy helps area high school students transition to college while still in high school by providing an on-campus college experience including full wrap-around student support services. Launched in January 2023, the number of students enrolled in the Northern Academy has grown from 26 in fall 2023 to 42 in fall 2024. Students gain valuable insights into post-secondary education, preparing them for a smoother transition to university or technical college life.
“Northern State University introduced the Northern Academy Early College Program to allow juniors and seniors the opportunity to experience college courses while still being able to utilize their high school support system. We want to help these high school learners on their pathway to becoming community and career leaders. This program allows these students to jumpstart their college careers with the support of faculty and staff at the collegiate level.” said Abbey Zens, director of Northern Academy.
In addition to academic coursework, Northern Academy participants benefit from personalized career counseling and academic support provided by Abbey Zens and career pathway specialist Jennifer Deutsch. This intentional support system helps create a positive learning community, giving students the tools they need to succeed academically and fostering connections with faculty, staff, and peers.
Eligible students must be juniors or seniors who attend one of the following schools or are homeschooled within a 50-mile radius of Aberdeen:
- Aberdeen Central High School
- Aberdeen Roncalli High School
- Aberdeen Christian High School
- Warner High School
- Groton High School
- Ipswich High School
- Frederick High School
- Leola High School
- Northwestern High School
- Langford High School
Scholarships, funded by the SDEAF grant, are available to students who meet specific criteria such as qualifying for free or reduced lunch, being a first-generation college student, belonging to an underrepresented minority group, or having a recognized disability.
“At the Northern Academy, we want every student to feel like college is a possibility for them. The SDEAF grant allows us to do this and open doors that may not have been easily opened before,” said Zens, highlighting the program’s commitment to helping high school students make the transition to college and start on a pathway to earning their college degree.
For more information on Northern Academy or to apply, contact Abbey Zens at abbey.zens@northern.edu or 605-626-2719.
