Where to go to college is a stressful choice for high school seniors everywhere. Location, price, and what programs the school offers all fall into place, and finding the perfect school with all of the things you want seems almost impossible. Many students have the same problem — they are ready to move on from high school but not sure if they are ready to leave their hometown and make a new life for themselves somewhere else. Whether this is for financial or personal reasons, it happens to kids everywhere.

    Small suburb towns seem to have no choice but to go far away from home for higher education. However, what would students here at Scituate High think if they found it is possible to stay in the 02066 for college? The fact that Scituate will be adding a college to the lovely quaint town — something many never saw coming. Sophomore Aylish Lynch says “I think it’s a good thing. People who are interested in Marine Biology can explore their interest in an ocean town.”

    According to the Bostinno , the Ocean Campus Center (OCC), is a new college that is working toward making a name for itself on the South Shore. OCC will offer programs focusing on technical training in the application of technology that is related to environmental monitoring and marine sciences. The college will offer certificate and associate degree programs in areas such as; implementation, installation, development, maintenance, and operation of marine and environmental technologies, in hopes that they will be able to help develop skills that will eventually have students finding themselves landing high paying jobs out of high school. The OCC will also be offering AP classes for high school students so they can earn college credit in marine trade , a course their high school may not offer.

         “The college will be located in between the train station and the golf course” Says an environmental consultant in Scituate, Jeff Rosen “Being close to the train station will allow students from the North to come to the school for classes as well.” “We’re trying to set up a school that will be affiliated with Massasoit Community College” says Rosen. The location of the college is “a special site” says Rosen that will offer many resources to students looking to go into marine trade, but are looking for a two year education that is inexpensive. Scituate is near many resources that will help benefit students, such as marinas, and a water treatment program.  Also Rosen says that the new windmill in town will be “beneficial toward students” as well. Also these resources may offer many internships and “cutting edge discovery” tools say Rosen. “Majority of the people on board for the proposal of the college in Scituate are from Scituate or surrounding towns and Scituate Public Schools offered a lot of support” Rosen said. Also Rosen says that they are planning for the OCC to be a place for many higher education meetings and new discoveries to be found in marine trade. The “cutting edge” tools as Rosen calls it will allow students to explore the world of marine trade efficiently and for a low cost. For more information on the Ocean Campus Center visit www.theoceancampus.com