Delaware State Univ. explores opening charter school

DSU applies to establish the state’s first “early college” high school.

The university has made its application to the Delaware Department of Education along with its partner Innovative Schools, a Delaware-based non-profit public school support organization.

The idea behind the school is to help students get a head start on their college credits while attending high school.  The school would be located on the DSU campus in Dover and would allow students to earn up to two years of college credits before they get their high school diploma.  The school will target students who would be the first in their family to go to college.

“The Early College High School at DSU will be an innovative learning environment designed to inspire students who have the potential and motivation to be the first in their families to graduate from college,” says Dr. Alton Thompson, DSU’s provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.

It would not be the first time high school students would learn on the DSU campus.  In 1893,  students took part in a preparatory school at DSU, which was then called the State College for Colored Students, to get them ready for college.  In 1917, a Model Grade School was established at DSU, with high school diplomas issued to graduates.

The charter application could be approved by the Department of Education in December.