SACO — Independent Sen. Angus King is praising a new partnership between a Maine high school and the University of New England that will allow some students to complete a bachelor’s degree in three years.

The program will allow certain graduates of Thornton Academy to be considered sophomores when they enter the UNE’s College of Arts and Sciences. Students will have to complete 30 credit hours in the program and meet certain benchmarks.

King says the program is a great example of how educators can find innovative ways to help students succeed.

Thornton Academy Director of Academics Marsha Snyder says that only a few students will be eligible for the program now, but the school is hopeful that more will participate when they learn about the opportunity.