Origins and Evolution of Gateway to College
Portland Community College created the Gateway to College program in 2000 to help reconnect high school dropouts with their education. Through the program, students complete their high school diploma requirements at community and technical colleges while simultaneously earning college credits toward an associate’s degree or certificate. Young people who had little chance of graduating from high school are achieving post-secondary success.
Gateway to College’s innovative approach captured the attention of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has
funded the replication of Gateway to College as part of its Early College High School Initiative. Since 2003, Gateway to
College has evolved from a single-site program into a national network of 27 colleges in 16 states, partnering with more than
110 school districts.
