Bloomfield Public Schools has partnered with the National Education Opportunity Network (NEON), a national nonprofit that brings college courses from top colleges and universities into high school classrooms across the country.
Through this partnership, juniors and seniors at Bloomfield High School will have the opportunity to participate in an Introduction to Microeconomics course offered by Barnard College in partnership with Columbia University—without leaving the BHS classroom.
The course provides an introduction to economics, exploring the fundamental elements of microeconomic and macroeconomic reasoning. Students will examine how a market economy determines costs, the factors that influence how products are made, and how resources and circumstances shape the economy.
College professors work directly with Bloomfield High School students, while BHS teachers serve as co-teachers throughout the course. This model gives students the opportunity to experience the expectations and rigor of a college course while receiving support from educators they know at their high school.
Most importantly, students who successfully complete the course have the opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school, as well as receive a university transcript.
“This partnership provides our students with access to college-level learning opportunities that may not otherwise be available within a traditional high school schedule,” said Dr. Tracy Youngberg, Superintendent of Schools. “We are excited to provide Bloomfield High School students with the opportunity to learn directly from college professors, work alongside their BHS teachers, and experience the expectations of college coursework while still in high school.”
NEON provides high school students with access to courses from some of the nation’s leading colleges and universities. Participating institutions include Stanford University, Howard University, the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Brown University, Spelman College, Dartmouth College, and others.
In addition to college coursework, NEON provides students with academic coaching and college advising to help them succeed in their courses and build the skills and confidence needed to thrive in college and beyond.
“We are thrilled to welcome Bloomfield Public Schools to the NEON community,” said Leslie Cornfeld, Founder and CEO of NEON. “We know that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Our partnership will help change that. Together, we’re creating opportunities for Bloomfield students to earn real college credit and see what they’re capable of—and helping build pathways to economic mobility.”
Bloomfield Public Schools joins a growing national network of high schools working with NEON to expand college access and create pathways to economic mobility for students. Since launching in 2019, NEON has partnered with nearly 600 high schools in more than 150 districts and networks, including eight of the 10 largest school districts in the United States.
Through this partnership, Bloomfield High School students are gaining access to authentic college experiences, rigorous coursework, and opportunities that can help prepare them for success in college and beyond.
