The start of school means a return to routine, and to many 12th-graders, it's the beginning of that coveted senior year and long-term plans.

For some upperclassmen at the two Catholic high schools in the Greensburg Diocese, Greensburg Central and Geibel, the future has accelerated -- thanks to an agreement forged among their schools with three Catholic colleges: Saint Vincent College in Unity, Seton Hill University in Greensburg, and Mount Aloysius College in Cresson, Cambria County.

Announced last Thursday by Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt, the partnership calls for credited college level courses to be offered to high school juniors and seniors at significantly reduced rates.

"Our students will have the option to complete their freshman year of college while in high school [and] will see potential savings for our parents and students of $25,000 to $35,000," said Trent D. Bocan, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Greensburg Diocese.

He added that with additional scholarship opportunities for students choosing to continue their education at these colleges, the overall savings could grow to be about $50,000.

The cost of a Saint Vincent credit at the high school level is $65, compared with $770 for a typical undergraduate.

At Seton Hill, the cost is $190 for each course while undergraduate college students are paying $690 a credit for mostly three-credit courses. Mount Aloysius is charging high schoolers $35 a credit compared with $450 per regular college credit.

"I think it's a wonderful idea," said Donald Favero, principal at Greensburg Central Catholic. "It's going to help the foundation of the Catholic education in the diocese. It's an excellent opportunity for the schools, teachers and kids."

To become eligible for college credit, a course is submitted to one of the three participating colleges. Lesson plans and other course materials are reviewed, then approved by the college. The current standard curriculum is integrated into the college syllabus for each class.

"Those teachers, in effect, become adjunct professors," said Mr. Favero.

According to Mr Favero, courses currently undergoing the approval process should be considered for college by the end of the first semester. They include traditional academic courses such as American literature and advanced chemistry, and electives such as photography, acting and music composition.

There are about 100 Greensburg Central students, or 20 percent of the student body, taking these courses. Parents were informed about the potential college credits last spring.

So far at Greensburg Central Catholic, there are 14 classes that may provide students with Seton Hill credits, 10 classes offering Saint Vincent credits, and potentially five classes for Mount Aloysius credits.

Mr Favero said he expects these numbers to increase over the next school year.

To enroll in college credit classes, the high school students must have a 3.0 grade point average in the particular area of study.

Dr. Mary Ann Gawelek, dean of faculty at Seton Hill, said that taking these classes will increase the rigors of academic study while the student is still in the supportive high school environment, hopefully easing the transition to college.

Joe Peluso, a Greensburg Central Catholic senior and the student body president, agrees. He believes he will have an advantage when he goes to college next fall and said the increased difficulty in the college credit classes is noticeable, but not impossible to conquer.

"Having the classes will hopefully make it easier in college, whether or not I would attend [any of the three]," he said.

While last week's agreement strengthens a relationship among these Catholic schools, the concept is not altogether new. Students at Greensburg Central had taken college courses in the past.

With this new partnership, students will be offered not only credited courses, but also an official college transcript.

"There is also the additional scholarship money offered because [the student] is part of a program," said Mr. Favero.

Many other area high schools offer college credit opportunities to eligible students, in part because of the Pennsylvania Department of Education Dual Enrollment grants.

The $10 million state investment will provide 370 of the state's 501 public schools with grant money for college course credits for high school classes this school year.

Norwin High School offers three courses in which juniors and seniors can achieve University of Pittsburgh credits. With dual enrollment grant money, Norwin offers additional courses for credit at Westmoreland County Community College, the University of Pittsburgh's Greensburg campus and Penn State Greater Allegheny campus.

About 100 students at Franklin Regional take advantage of dual enrollment courses through California University of Pennsylvania and LaRoche College.

There also have been individual cases in which students who have completed the highest level of a particular academic area are able to take courses through the University of Pittsburgh.

Franklin Regional Principal Tina Burns suggests parents in any district check with their guidance office for details about college in high school courses.

The partnerships among the Catholic institutions will also offer service within local church communities, Mr. Bocan explained.

"By providing this seamless offering of advanced Catholic education," he said, "we offer our students the ability to establish local roots into adulthood, solidify their life vocation in the region, and become the future leaders and stewards of our local church and communities."