Programs

Early College Academy (ECA) is a dual enrollment partnership between Oxford Area High School and Cecil College.  ECA is a four-year high school program that allows students to take college courses during their entire high school career towards earning an associate’s degree from Cecil College upon graduation from Oxford Area High School.  Approximately 120 students are presently enrolled in the academy.  In May 2025, 12 students graduated with their associate’s degree.  EITC funds defray registration and tuition costs for ECA students.

Project REEL was established at the high school seventeen years ago by chemistry teacher, Brian Urig, in partnership with his alma mater, Ohio State University.  Ohio State designed Project REEL as a way to transition entry-level college chemistry classes into more research-based courses.  “The goal of Project REEL is to increase retention in science by exposing students to actual research techniques and procedures,” Mr. Urig said.  “it represents a real change from the ‘cookbook’ chemistry many of us experienced in high school and college courses.”

The expansion of the Band to Orchestra Program (strings) demonstrates the district’s commitment to providing diverse musical opportunities for students. By integrating strings education at an early age and continuing through high school, the district encourages long-term involvement in the arts and fosters a vibrant, creative community.

This past April, students in marine biology and environmental science participated in a three-day coastal ecology experience at the Chincoteague Bay Field station located in Wallop’s Island, Virginia.  They took part in research on an oceanography cruise, as well as studied intertidal beaches, sand dunes and salt marshes.  EITC funds assisted in covering student fees for room and board, administration charges, all instruction, the research cruise, and use of all pre-college station facilities during the program.

The Oxford Area school District has been developing its STEM curriculum across all grade levels, with the aim of integrating all four STEM disciplines in real-life applications.  Through professional grants, EITC funds assist with expenses for supplies, equipment and the promotion of careers in STEM.  This school year, the funds assisted the STEM programs at Elk ridge Elementary school with the Mobile Ag Lab, ozobots and chomp saws at Hopewell elementary school, and the VEX CTE Workcell kit at Penn’s Grove school.