After launching the Middle College Program several years ago through a partnership with Motlow State, Warren County School officials said the program has been a big success.
The program allows qualified juniors to work toward an associate’s degree during high school. Warren County Schools Communications Coordinator Sarah Cantrell said a big reason for the program’s success is school counselors. Cantrell said school counselors have helped students think about their future.
“While we put them on paths while they are in school at the high school, we can also start taking that timeline and stretching it out as far as they already know what ABC steps look like once they graduate,” Cantrell said.
Cantrell said participants will work on classes in the program rather than take non-core high school classes. Cantrell said the program is a huge benefit for students who participate, as it puts them ahead compared to other students.
“You are essentially two full years ahead on the timeline of getting that done,” Cantrell said. “And I think it just opens up the opportunities for our students, especially the proximity that the Motlow McMinnville campus has to the robotics center and TCAT. They can kind of get exposed to a bunch of different routes as a junior in high school, as opposed to a graduate of high school trying to figure out which route or path you want to go through in life.”
Cantrell said now high school students have more opportunities to get involved in any kind of post-secondary plans than ever before. Cantrell said the program currently has nine seniors in the program. Cantrell said the school system is working to get the word out about the program.
“The more exposure to any types of programs like this, just to, you know, extend their education or maybe give them better chances for life as soon as they graduate, or like we are talking about now, before they graduate, the better,” Cantrell said. “So that’s what we are just really trying to do, is make sure these students are aware of all the opportunities that are around them.”
Cantrell said the deadline for students to apply for the program is November 1. Cantrell said juniors must have a composite ACT score of 19 or higher, have been a Tennessee resident for at least one year before the date of application, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Cantrell said several other school districts in the Upper Cumberland have also partnered with Motlow State to have the program.
