Middlesex Community College: Lowell High School Students Gain Early College Experience At MCC

Press release from the Middlesex Community College:

Caitlin Buckley

9/23/2021

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted learning for many high school-aged students, but Middlesex Community College can help get students back on track with their education and prepare them to succeed in college.

Middlesex partners with Early College designated high schools to provide students with an opportunity to experience college-level courses while satisfying high school graduation requirements at the same time.

“Early College provides a better understanding of what it takes academically to select a major and earn a certificate or degree at Middlesex,” said Sothy Gaipo, MCC’s Early College and K-12 Articulation Coordinator. “The innovative design principles used in designated Early College programs are aimed at improving student learning outcomes and closing achievement gaps for high-need students.”

In MCC’s Early College program, Lowell High School rising juniors, seniors and 2021 graduates can take college-level courses while enrolled in high school. To be eligible, students must have a 2.0 GPA or higher, a recommendation from an English teacher, a copy of their transcripts, and a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

In order to promote equity, accessibility and affordability for students and their families, Middlesex has committed to a reduced tuition rate with no fees to students in the Early College program. Funding for this program – along with Concurrent and Dual Enrollment – received from the state has allowed MCC to meet the diverse academic and economic needs of the community. The long-term goal of doing so is in hopes of reducing students’ loan debt throughout their college experience.

Middlesex collaborates with local high schools to better understand the specific population of students, their needs, future goals and pathways. One of the first to partner with a technical high school, MCC started an Early College model with Nashoba Valley Technical High School, in addition to Lowell High School.

In the Spring 2021 semester, 650 freshmen at Lowell High School earned their first college credit at Middlesex. Courses ran online, including Zoom meetings and self-guided work, and schedules were one- or three-credit courses.

MCC’s Concurrent and Dual Enrollment program is the largest in Massachusetts with an average of 1,400 high school students taking classes per semester. While the program exposes students early to the demands of college coursework, it also allows them to earn transferable college credit and jumpstart their college admissions process.

Visit www.earlycollegelowell.org for more information about MCC’s Early College Lowell programs or contact Gaipo at gaipos@middlesex.mass.edu.

With MCC’s Mini-mesters accelerated sessions, students can earn transferable college credit, gain important professional development skills, and get on track to reach their goals. Fall 2021 Mini-mester II starts on Monday, November 1. For more information and to register for classes, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in education for more than 50 years. Middlesex puts the student first. Meeting each learner where they are, MCC provides them with a safe, welcoming and engaging place to learn. Offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses – Middlesex features flexible course formats and a variety of award-winning student support services and resources. Student success starts at MCC!

This press release was produced by the Middlesex Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.