Rasmussen College Partners with AUSL to Offer Free College Credit to Chicago Academy High School Students
November 11, 2009
Contact:
Kristy Croom
Sr. Marketing Manager
Phone: (727) 942-0069
Cell: (785) 331-5422
Kristy.Croom@Rasmussen.edu
CHICAGO, IL (November 11, 2009) – Students at The Chicago Academy High School can now earn college
credit online through the Academy for Urban School Leadership (AUSL) and a new, unprecedented
relationship with Rasmussen College. Beginning in the Fall of 2009, 32 Chicago Academy seniors will have
the opportunity to enroll in entry-level college courses for dual high school and college credit through the
school’s partnership with Rasmussen College, a premier provider of online educational experiences,
delivering regionally accredited Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Associate’s degree programs through its network of
campuses and partnerships with leading universities.
The program is being offered free of charge by Rasmussen College to the Academy for Urban School
Leadership (AUSL), a not-for-profit that partners with Chicago Public Schools to transform chronically
underperforming schools. The Chicago Academy is one of 14 AUSL-run Chicago schools.
“The Academy for Urban School Leadership has begun to build a strong model for increasing positive
educational opportunities for students of chronically underperforming public schools,” explained Rasmussen
College President Kristi Waite. “Rasmussen is excited about contributing to the effort which allows every
student the opportunity to excel, even beyond the high school level, by giving them a leg up on their college
education. As an institution of higher learning, Rasmussen College is committed to preparing students to be
active, productive and successful contributors to a global community.”
The opportunity to earn college credit while still enrolled in high school helps participants of the Rasmussen
dual credit program reduce the continually rising cost of college education and gives students a competitive
advantage in the college application process, as Rasmussen College is regionally accredited.
Chicago Academy students enrolled in the dual credit program will complete all coursework online in
Learning Labs - designated stations set up in the school’s library - receiving guidance and assignments from
Rasmussen-trained Learning Managers and course textbooks generously donated by Cengage Learning.
Students will also have access to the same 24/7 personal support center available to all Rasmussen College
students.
“We look forward to embarking upon a partner relationship with Rasmussen College to launch this pilot
program,” said Brian Simms, Managing Director, High Schools at AUSL. “This is an incredible breakthrough
for our network of schools, and will undoubtedly transform the lives of the students we serve and provide
them with an additional competitive edge.”
Rasmussen College currently assists more than 300 high school students in earning college credit through dual
credit programs. With 17 campuses in several states, including three in Illinois, Rasmussen College allows
high school juniors and seniors to take up to 24 college credits either on campus or online, at no financial cost.
“We will use our experience providing quality online education experiences to help raise the academic
preparedness of students at The Chicago Academy,” stated Rasmussen College Vice President of Academic
Affairs John Woods. “We provide the same resources and experience for high schools as the leading
universities and colleges whose online programs we launch and grow.”
ABOUT RASMUSSEN COLLEGE
Founded in 1900, Rasmussen College is a premier provider of online educational experiences, delivering regionally accredited Master’s, Bachelor’s, Associate’s, and Doctoral degree programs through its network of 17 Rasmussen College campuses and partnerships with leading universities. Rasmussen is an institution of higher learning dedicated to the growth and development of its students, employees, and the communities it serves. With more than 15,000 students, Rasmussen is able to offer its students a broad range of quality programs focused on the areas with the greatest occupation opportunities. To learn more about Rasmussen College, please visit www.Rasmussen.edu.
