Michigan City High School will offer a new “Early College” program, beginning in August 2014.
Michigan City Early College High School will be based at Michigan City High School, functioning as a “school within a school” for 125 ninth-grade students.
The new program, offered in partnership with Purdue University North Central and Ivy Tech, will enable high school students to earn both high school and college credits. Upon graduation, they will earn both a high school diploma and an Associate’s Degree (60 credit hours).
Next year’s Early College High School freshmen can choose to pursue Associates Degrees in either General Studies or Health Sciences; in future years both Engineering and Agricultural/Environmental
Science will be added. Dual college credits earned through the program are free for any student eligible for free/reduced lunch, and are either free or very low cost for all others.
“We are thrilled to offer the Early College curriculum for our students,” said Wendel McCollum, MCHS Principal. “It will give them a solid foundation for success beyond high school, whether they plan to pursue college or additional professional training.”
Michigan City’s Early College builds on the already successful dual-credit program at MCHS, which enabled last year’s graduating class to earn 1,897 dual college credits through PNC, the most in the Duneland Conference.
Early College High Schools exist in communities across the U.S. They are designed to serve middle-tier students, including those who may be among the first in their families to attend college. Students in the program are given specialized guidance services and other extra support to keep them on track with rigorous course work.
Michigan City Early College High School students will take all required courses for an Indiana Core 40 diploma, along with electives in their area of concentration. Students must also take three (or four) years of a foreign language and specialized courses centered on study skills, technology, and career and college preparation.
In addition to the Early College, an Honors College program will be offered next fall for high-ability students. The Honors College will provide students with opportunities for dual credit and Advanced Placement credit as they work toward an Academic Honors or Technical Honors diploma. MCHS will also continue its Freshman Academy program, which was created in 2012 to assist students in need of extra academic support and remediation.
“Already, our dual credit program is saving Michigan City families thousands in college tuition costs,” said Dr. Barbara Eason-Watkins, MCAS Superintendent. “Both Early College and Honors College will mean even more potential savings, and will help us keep students of all ability levels challenged and engaged.”
MCHS Assistant Principal Bonnie Manuel will have the added duties of Director of Early College and MCHS Counselor Rhonda LaMarr will coordinate guidance services.
Middle School Guidance Counselors will be speaking with eighth grade students and parents about Early College, Honors College, and Freshman Academy in March, and will assist students in these programs with course scheduling.
For more information on Michigan City Early College High School, visit EducateMC.net/earlycollege, or contact Rhonda LaMarr, MCHS Guidance Department (219) 873-2044, or rlamarr@mcas.k12.in.us.