Lone Star College-North Harris offers a unique four-week Summer Bridge Program for recent high school graduates, designed to support them during their transition to college. The program is for students who need extra academic work to place into college credit courses and will run from July 27 to Aug. 19.

"There is often a gap between high school testing and college readiness," said Martha Whitley, director of student success initiatives at LSC-North Harris. "Just passing the TAKS in order to graduate from high school does not mean seniors are at college level."

The four-week program offers English 0307 (writing) and Math 0310 (intermediate algebra). The writing course will be offered at both LSC-North Harris and LSC-Greenspoint Center. The math course will be offered at LSC-North Harris only.

Graduating seniors who passed the high school exit TAKS test but did not score high enough to place into college level courses and those who have finished high school or a high school equivalency program but who have never been to college are eligible for the program.

"The goal of the Summer Bridge Program is to enable students to complete developmental coursework more quickly, help students accumulate college credit sooner, provide students with integrated orientation and student success strategies and to link students with a staff or faculty member who facilitates the student's first-time-in-college experience," added Whitley.

Tuition for the program will cost $159, but students will receive their textbooks for free. A $150 scholarship is also available to those who successfully complete the program.

Interested students should complete the application and registration process by July 22. After completing an application for admission to LSC-North Harris, applicants will need to talk to an advisor about enrolling in the program. They will also need to take either the COMPASS or ACCUPLACER placement test. The placement tests cost $29. If the student tests into one of the offered classes, an advisor will help them enroll in the Summer Bridge Program. Participating students are only allowed to take either a math or English course.

The Summer Bridge Program began in 2000 with the goal of improving success and retention rates of those students starting college at what college placement scores show as the developmental level. Since its inception, the program has shown significant increases in college retention and success rates for participants studying in the upper level developmental courses.

Lone Star College-North Harris is located at 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, one-half mile south of FM 1960 East, between Aldine-Westfield and Hardy Roads. For more information about the college, call 281.618.5400 or visit LoneStar.edu/NorthHarris.

With more than 62,000 students in credit classes in spring 2010, and a total enrollment of nearly 85,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the second largest and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. LSCS consists of five colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers, LSC-University Park, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.