Kensington Woods teams up with WCC for Early College Program
WHITMORE LAKE — Kensington Woods has teamed up with Washtenaw Community College to offer a new Early College Program starting this fall.
The program is a few years in the making, but was recently approved by the Kensington Woods Board of Education and the Michigan Department of Education.
KWS is a small tuition-free charter school for middle and high schoolers. The Early College Program, also known as Early Middle College, will allow students to earn an associate degree, up to 60 transferable college credits, or a professional certification; or participate in a registered apprenticeship; in addition to earning their high school diploma over a five-year course of study.
“Students thrive in the smaller, personal environment at Kensington Woods,” Principal Jessie MacGonigal Pratt wrote in a press release. “It makes sense to help them transition to college and other post-secondary experiences with a similar, supported experience.”
Students will be able to enroll in a variety of programs, including college foundation, general studies, computer science, human services, welding and fabrication, automotive services, robotics, graphic design, audio production and engineering, fine arts and animation. The programs were selected to focus on the different needs and strengths of Kensington Woods students.
The cost of tuition, books and fees will be covered by KWS while students are in the program.
“We are really excited to offer another option for our students to support them becoming successful after high school and reaching their full potential,” said MacGonigal Pratt.
Students can enroll in the program beginning their sophomore year. The program includes preparatory classes for interested ninth graders and seminar classes to support enrolled students. These classes are in addition to the KWS curriculum all students must participate in.
According to the release, students enrolled in the Early College Program still have access to all programs at KWS, including athletics, extracurriculars, art, music and academic support, as well as programs and supports at Washtenaw Community College.
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According to data from the Michigan Department of Education, nationally, EMC students graduate from high school at a higher rate than other students and earn an average of 23 college credits upon graduation.
KWS' program will be one of 176 in the state and the first in the county based within a high school.
— Contact reporter Patricia Alvord at palvord@livingstondaily.com.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Kensington Woods teams up with WCC for Early College Program
