Mount Saint Mary College’s Knight Program is bringing the experience of a Mount education directly into the hallways of nearly 20 high schools in the region.
The Knight Program has proven popular, and has grown exponentially in just a few years. By offering college-level coursework in local high schools, the Mount is providing a low-cost jump start on bachelor’s degrees while simultaneously meeting high school graduation requirements for more than 1,700 local students – a number that’s steadily climbing.
The Knight Program’s footprint extends across the Hudson Valley, serving public and private institutions. Partnered school districts include Beacon, Burke, Chester, Goshen High School, Lakeland School District, Middletown, Millbrook Central School District, Newburgh, Oakwood Friends School, Orange-Ulster BOCES, Our Lady of Lourdes, Pine Bush, Port Jervis, Suffern, Valley Central, Wallkill, and Warwick Valley High School.
“The Knight Program is a cornerstone of our commitment to the Hudson Valley,” said Evan Merkhofer, Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Mount. “Bringing a Mount Saint Mary College education into local high schools not only helps students save time and money, but also ensures that they possess the confidence and skills required to thrive in the next chapter of their lives.”
By engaging in high-level coursework, participants develop essential academic life skills – including critical thinking, time management, and effective study habits – that significantly ease the transition to the demands of a four-year institution. Students also gain a valuable preview of college culture, expectations, and academic expectations, allowing them to graduate high school with a college transcript and a mindset to match.
If you’re a high school teacher or administrator who would like to learn more about the Knight Program, email knightprogram@msmc.edu or visit www.msmc.edu/knight-program