CCV/Northfield Savings Bank Partnership Introduces Middle School Students to College

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Community College of Vermont (CCV) and Northfield Savings Bank have partnered to expand CCV’s Access Days program, which brings middle school students to CCV centers throughout the state for mock classes, student panels, and other activities that give kids a taste of college.

This spring, the partnership will support Access Days for Hunt Middle School students at CCV-Winooski on March 20th, 21st, and 22nd. CCV-Montpelier will host an Access Day for Barre City Middle School students on May 3rd.

“Connecting younger students to the path of possibilities for a college education is so important—Access Days are that connection,” said Cheryl LaFrance, senior vice president & chief operating officer at Northfield Savings Bank. “Northfield Savings Bank is pleased to partner with CCV and support area middle school students so they are able to explore those possibilities.”

In an effort to increase the college-going rate of Vermont’s high school graduates, CCV has been hosting Access Days since 2013. Providing a positive and encouraging first experience in a college environment meets the needs of younger students at a critical age when they are making career and educational choices. The success of Access Days, and the subsequent demand from schools, has grown quickly. In the 2017-18 school year, nearly 1,300 students participated in Access Days.

“CCV’s postsecondary initiatives are designed to introduce Vermont’s middle and high school students to their education and career choices, and that introduction begins with Access Days,” said CCV president Joyce Judy. “We are excited to join forces with Northfield Savings Bank to bring this opportunity to even more young Vermonters.”