Innovative Program in Johnston County Allows High School Students To Earn College Credit
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At Johnston County Middle College High‚ students graduate with much more than a high school diploma.
The visionary school is the result of a unique partnership between Johnston Community College and Johnston County Schools.
“The school was opened to address issues related to high school reform‚” says Principal Amelia McLeod. “It’s an option for high school completion with a variation from traditional high school organization.”
The Middle College‚ which opened in 2005‚ offers students in grades 11 and 12 a rigorous high school and college curriculum. While students forgo traditional extracurricular activities including sports‚ students – as well as their parents – soon appreciate the trade-off. Because tuition is waived‚ students who continue their collegiate careers do so debt-free and with one or more college semesters completed.
Students can be enrolled in as many as six courses each semester‚ one of which must be a college class.
Students have graduated with as many as 24 college credits‚ McLeod says. Each of the courses available at Johnston Community College can be taken at the Middle College‚ including psychology‚ Spanish‚ English‚ math‚ sociology‚ philosophy and history. HVAC and cosmetology courses also are available.
“Course selection depends on the student’s individual goals and interests‚” McLeod says. “Each schedule is tailored depending on the courses needed to complete that student’s pathway.”
The school varies from traditional high schools in other ways‚ too. With a maximum enrollment of 125‚ the Middle College offers smaller classes and more personalized instruction from teachers.
“Each teacher is a counselor and mentor‚” McLeod says. “We all desire the very best for our students and continually challenge students to push themselves.”
The class hours and academic calendar also are unusual. The instructional day begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. And because admission is for fall semester only‚ students are unable to transfer in during the year‚ as they might at a traditional school.
The admission process also is more extensive and includes completion of a four-page application followed by an in-person interview. Students must have successfully completed typical high school courses such as English I‚ Algebra I and Health/PE. Once they are accepted‚ students must commit to one full semester.
While unarguably more stringent than traditional schools‚ Johnston County Middle College High holds a tremendous appeal to academically or career-minded students.
“Students with a desire to be successful‚ work at a fast pace and be challenged are the students who will succeed here‚” McLeod says. “We have an impressive graduation rate and work very hard to provide each student with a rigorous and relevant curriculum.”
Story by Melanie Hill
Photo by Ian Curcio
