LODI — In the morning, they’re just normal high school students.

But once noon hits, six Lodi High juniors are transformed into college freshmen, hopping a shuttle bus to study and take classes at Felician University.

“We’re ahead of all the other seniors at the high school,” said Derek DiCrescienzo, 16. “They don’t know what it’s going to be like in college. When they’re freshmen, they’ll be scared like we were.”

The Lodi school district has tried in recent years to better prepare students for college, beefing up Advanced Placement offerings and adjusting the curriculum to emphasize skills such as information analysis and evidence citation.

Now, six students are getting a taste of college through the district’s new Academy of Research and Advanced Academics, the first partnership of its kind between Felician University and a public school.

Starting the summer after their sophomore year, students in the program can enroll in college classes, with the school district picking up the tab. They can earn up to 36 college credits.

The program is rigorous, however. To participate, students need to sign up freshman year and must take Advanced Placement and honors courses.

The first group began taking classes this school year. Seven additional students are expected to join them next year.

For many, it has been an adjustment.

Recently, 16-year-old Angie Lopez said she was tasked with finding her own transportation to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for an art class. She said she took the bus into Manhattan alone for the first time – a very “adult” thing for her, she said.

Besides their high school uniform, which Lopez says she tries to change out of when she has the chance, the students seem to blend right in and have even been mistaken for college sophomores

But there have also been reminders that they are still in high school.

When a student filming a project came into a class and asked if everyone was 18, Aashka Mistry says she had to raise her hand.

“Everyone was shocked when I told them I was 16,” she said. “They asked how and why. When they find out how old I am, everyone is amazed.”

While they all agree the experience was terrifying at first, the students say they have no regrets. Student Mary Breny, also 16, said she now knows she may want to pursue a career in teaching or sports management, which is something she may not have discovered until after starting college.

Many said they have also learned how to manage their time.

“It’s difficult sometimes, but manageable,” said Breny, a three-sport varsity athlete. “We definitely all value our time now.”

Melissa Essman, Felician University’s Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, said the students seem to have adjusted well.

“They’re a remarkable group and are fitting in well,” she said. “We’re blown away by their work and they’re all becoming leaders in the classroom.”

Email: cattafi@northjersey.com