Hey Sophomores! Apply for Early College Newaygo County

The 2021 Cohort visits the Muskegon Community College campus for the first time.

An Engaging and Free Path to an Associate Degree

Early College Newaygo County (ECNC) is a unique three-year program where high school students attend college and high school classes in grade 11 and 12 and graduate with a high school diploma and a FREE associate degree at the end of a thirteenth year. The program is offered through a partnership between the Newaygo County RESA, Muskegon Community College (MCC) and the five local districts in Newaygo County.

With at least 70% of jobs requiring a post-secondary degree or credential by 2027, it is critical to obtain education and training beyond high school to secure an in-demand career.  Training and education after high school provides students with the essential skills to be successful in securing their future careers.

Early College Newaygo County provides facilitated career exploration and the development of professional and educational skills with the help of Early College and MCC mentors, tutors, counselors, and staff.  “ECNC is more than just a degree.  It’s about learning and growing together as a cohort and becoming more appealing to future employers,” said Melissa Miller, Supervisor of Early College and Student Success Services at NC RESA.

Students apply during grade 10, begin the program in grade 11 and work towards completion in grades 12 and 13.  All tuition, fees, books, and course-required materials are paid for, there is no cost to the student.  Transportation to MCC and on-campus food costs will be the family or student’s responsibility.  For the first two years, the Career-Tech Center bussing is available for many classes offered at NC RESA.
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“The support provided by the program staff is a full wrap-around network of resources which helps the student’s academic performance and future educational and career goals,” notes Cheryl Flannery, Dean of Early College Newaygo County.

Applications for the 2021-2022 school year are now available.  Interested students currently in grade 10 are encouraged to speak with their high school counselor to obtain an application.  Further information can also be found at https://www.ncresa.org/Page/605.  Completed applications are due no later than March 5, 2021.

“I enjoyed making friends from a different school and getting to try a difficult challenge,” offered Dakota Gleason of the 2020 Cohort.

For additional information, please feel free to contact Cheryl Flannery, Dean of Early College Newaygo County, at (231) 777-0308 or [email protected].

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