Prince George's Schools Expand Tuition Free College Courses to All High Schools

Prince George's County Public Schools moved to broaden early college opportunities by announcing an expansion of the Dual in the Schools program so that students at every comprehensive high school will have access to tuition free college courses starting in the 2026 27 school year. The program will partner PGCPS with Prince George's Community College to let students earn dual credit during the regular school day without extra travel or outside schedules.

Currently offered at a handful of high schools, Dual in the Schools will be rolled out systemwide with a focus on college level English, math, science and social studies. Courses will be taught by PGCPS educators who are credentialed as PGCC adjunct faculty, a structure designed to keep instruction on campus while meeting community college academic standards. County school leaders and county officials framed the initiative as an equity measure intended to remove transportation and cost barriers, to help families save on future tuition, and to smooth the transition to higher education.

The expansion has immediate practical implications for students and families across Prince George's. By situating college level courses in high schools during the regular school day, the program reduces time and transportation burdens that can limit participation in dual enrollment. Earning college credit while still in high school can also lower overall higher education costs, shorten time to degree, and potentially increase college completion rates, outcomes that matter for household budgets and workforce readiness in the county.

Implementation will require coordination on several fronts. PGCPS must credential and, where necessary, train teachers to meet PGCC adjunct standards, align high school schedules with college requirements, and ensure that credits transfer smoothly into postsecondary degree programs. Prince George's Community College will need to manage anticipated increases in early college enrollment and maintain academic oversight. Funding for staffing, professional development, and program evaluation will be central to sustaining the launch, and those budget decisions will fall to the school system and county budget processes in the year ahead.

The policy raises important accountability and oversight questions. Measuring success will require transparent tracking of enrollment demographics, credit completion rates, subsequent college enrollment, and long term cost savings for families. Residents and civic leaders will have opportunities to shape implementation through school board and county budget discussions, where funding priorities and program metrics are decided.

For Prince George's County the expansion represents a significant investment in college access and equity. If implemented with clear performance measures and sustained funding, the program could change how local students engage with higher education while holding institutions accountable for delivering on promised benefits.