An affordable path to a college education

By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor

Pirate News is a presentation of Hart Public Schools in partnership with Oceana County Press. 

HART — The Early Middle College program will offer an affordable path to a college education for Oceana County students.

The program is a consortium of Oceana County school districts — Hart, Shelby, Pentwater and Walkerville — in partnership with West Shore Community College. 

Currently in the application phase, the program is expected to be finalized at the end of next month, said Hart High School Principal Brandon Bruce.

“It may target or provide opportunities for some kids who may be less fortunate,” said Bruce. “An underprivileged group can say college is a real opportunity.”

Hart High School students are currently enrolled in the dual enrollment program through the college, and the Early Middle College program will provide another opportunity for a college education.

“Currently, we offer students dual enrollment opportunities, so kids can take college courses through West Shore,” explained Principal Bruce. “The district picks up the costs. We don’t allow a student to take a course that doesn’t transfer to a four-year college. The idea is to try to get some of those credits and requirements out of the way, like communications, philosophy and psychology courses.”

The Early Middle College program will take college attainment a step further. “It provides a great opportunity for kids,” said the principal.

“It’s typically targeted for kids who are on a post-secondary track. Early middle college extends the opportunity. They are eligible for a 13th year. By their junior year, they have to commit that they are going to be an early middle college student. So they would finish their four years of high school and then after they graduate, they would come back. They would still be a Hart High School student, but enrolled at West Shore Community College. The students don’t have to pay anything. It’s a year of college for free.”

With West Shore developing a satellite site in Oceana County, reduced tuition rates for Oceana County students are being examined, he said. “It’s a win-win.” The WSCC satellite facility in former Gale’s IGA building in Hart is slated for completion in September. “Not only is it a good thing for our Hart High School, its students and community, but it is also a positive for West Shore Community College. 

“The idea is to market this with our 10th graders. You can do it as a junior or a senior.

“Early Middle College is not a new thing — it’s been around for awhile, but it just hasn’t reached this area because we are a little more remote.

“We sign them up for it and then it’s basically hands-off. You’re a college kid — if you have a question, you need to contact the professor. The kids are placed in a cohort group of about 20 students that meets weekly. They have to be credentialed — they have to meet certain criteria before they can take the course. There are checkboxes.

“If they don’t pass with a C or better, they’re on the hook for that cost of tuition. We’re not going to allow kids to fail. 

“We will target a group of kids for next year to have some communication with them. In three or four years, we could have up to 60 kids from Hart who are enrolled.”

A student can be enrolled in the Career Technical Education (CTE) program and the Early Middle College program simultaneously. 

Students will have the potential of obtaining 36 credit hours by the end of their 13th year at no cost.

WSCC News is a presentation of West Shore Community College in partnership with Mason County Press and Oceana County Press.  

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