Norwin High School students will be able to choose from five new courses next school year, allowing them to earn college credits from two universities and Westmoreland County Community College, as well as save money in the future.

The school board Monday approved the new College in High School courses in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh, Robert Morris University and the community college in Youngwood. The courses — business calculus, introduction to engineering, computer-aided design, child development/early childhood Ed Lab, and anatomy — carry a minimal tuition fee payable to the university, the district said.

Students remain at Norwin and take the classes that meet the college requirements, Natalie McCracken, assistant superintendent, told the school board.

The school district already offers nine courses in which high school students can earn college credits. The district also has 17 Advanced Placement courses that can help students earn college credit.

With the number of advanced placement courses and College in High School courses, students could earn enough college credits to finish college one or two semesters early, Norwin Superintendent Jeff Taylor said.

The school district wants to ensure that students, not only the highest-achieving ones, get the chance to earn college credits in high school, McCracken said.

Students already can earn college credit from Rochester Institute of Technology in engineering introduction and design and computer-integrated manufacturing. Seton Hill University offers Norwin students credits in college writing, Spanish and accounting. Students can earn credits from Pitt in German, information sciences and cybersecurity, and cyber security and the law. Community college already offers credits in French.

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