Airport Community Schools

1. Airport Community Schools Bedford Public Schools Dundee Community Schools Ida Public Schools Annual Report December 2010 Jefferson Schools Mason Consolidated Schools Monroe Public Schools Summerfield Schools Whiteford Agricultural Schools

2. Overview and History of Monroe County Middle College The Monroe County Middle College is a collaboration between the Monroe County Intermediate School District (ISD), Monroe County Community College, Mercy Memorial Hospital System and all nine public school districts within Monroe County. Students enter MCMC in the 9th or 10th grade with a comprehensive curriculum that will culminate with award of a high school diploma and up to 60 transferable college credit hours, an associates degree, and/or a certificate in the field of health sciences. The MCMC began operation on September 8th, 2009 with an initial cohort of 38 9th grade students. As students matriculate, another group of 40-60 9th graders will be accepted. Tenth or 11th graders will be accepted if there is space available. For the 2010-2011 MCMC is serving 81 students in 9th or 10th grade.

3. Overview of Monroe County Middle College School Features: • Small school setting • Instruction by highly qualified teachers and professional staff members from MCCC and MMHS • Five year high school and college experience • Focus on health sciences • Recognized as an early/middle college by the State of Michigan • Opportunity to acquire college credits while in “high school” • Character development and college readiness curriculum

4. Funding Mechanism State of Michigan • Middle College High School Health Partnership Grant • Initial funding October of 2008, four year distribution, last year of receipt for planning grant is scheduled for October 2011 • State of Michigan Foundation Allowance • Local district receives 10% • MCMC receives 90%

5. Location of MCMC MCMC students experience a multi-campus setting. • Monroe County Intermediate School District (MCISD) • Provides office space, phones, Internet, storage, fax usage, printing, etc. The ISD is the main “hub” of operation for the school • Is the fiscal agency, MCMC staff are employed by MCISD • Mercy Memorial Hospital System (MMHS) • Students attend classes at MMHS 40% of the week • MMHS has provided classroom space, two offices, phone and Internet • Space has increased to accommodate increased student body for the 2010-2011 school year

6. Location of MCMC continued MCMC students experience a multi-campus setting. • Monroe County Community College (MCCC) • Students attend classes at MCCC 60% of the week • MCCC has provided classroom space and lab space • Provides two offices including phone and internet usage • All of the above is provided on a contractual basis for a nominal fee • Students eat lunch in the college cafeteria • Space has increased to accommodate increased student body for the 2010-2011 school year

7. School Governance The Monroe County ISD Board of Education is MCMC’s Board of action. Every effort has been made to include key personnel in decision making regarding the design and implementation of the MCMC. Through following best practices of other successful early/middle colleges two groups were established to ensure success. The two groups are defined below: • Advisory Team (Meets quarterly) • Consists of personnel from all three partners • MCISD • Superintendent, Asst. Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Business and Finance, Human Resources and Legal Counsel, Coordinator of Marketing, Principal and Dean of Students for MCMC • MMHS • Manager of Volunteer Services • MCCC • President, Vice President of Instruction, Dean of Health Sciences

8. School Governance continued • Design Team (Meets monthly) • Consists of personnel from all three partners • MCISD-Principal, Dean of Students, MCMC Teachers • MMHS-Manager of Volunteer Services • MCCC-Dean of Health Sciences • Town Hall Meetings • MCMC administration meets with students to receive input towards the operation and culture of their school MCMC administration makes every effort to create and maintain open lines of communication among the partners to build the best possible school.

9. Curriculum Development • Primary focus is on: • Michigan Merit Curriculum alignment • College admissions criteria • Health career exploration • Health career certification • Transfer consideration • Careful attention to the integration of requirements for both high school diploma and college degree • Sample curriculum plans are currently being developed for possible pathways available to students

10. Curriculum Development • The COMPASS assessment, an ACT product, is used to assess the reading, writing and math levels of students to determine appropriate college classes • Use of college texts, where appropriate for high school content, to help students feel comfortable using and learning from a college level textbook • “High school” curriculum is developed with input from college professors to help ensure a smooth transition from high school to college, including academics, maturity, responsibility, etc. • Establishment of articulation agreements with MCCC to award college credit based on successful completion of an end of course assessment provided by the college

11. Student Support Services • Use of a FOCUS period: • Elective Credit • Students have same FOCUS teacher each year • Teacher and student build rapport not found in a traditional high school • Provides academic help • After school and lunch study sessions as needed • Orientation prior to school beginning • Use of Learning Assistance Lab upon dual enrollment • Access to college counselor upon dual enrollment

12. Student Recruitment • MCISD created a marketing campaign to build public awareness of this opportunity using print, internet, and TV • Hosted parent information nights throughout Monroe County • MCMC staff visits schools that have 8th grade students including public, parochial, and charter schools. Information is disseminated to home school groups as well • MCMC staffed a table at a local “High School Night” highlighting secondary school options • Presentations to numerous community based agencies such as Kiwanis, Rotarians, etc.

13. Student Recruitment continued • Creation of an award winning “folder” to build awareness • MCMC staff has made presentations to local Boards of Education and to MCCC Board of Trustees • MCMC staff presented to high school and middle school principals and the Monroe County Superintendent Association • MCMC student participation in Project Outreach-Student Leadership Council, a state wide Student Service Leadership Conference

14. Professional Development Initial/One time • Numerous site visits to existing early/middle colleges • Multiple meetings with Mott Middle College • Middle College National Consortium PD conference, Jersey City, NJ June 2009 • HIV/AIDS & Sexuality Training • Office of Educational Accountability and Assessment (OEAA) Conference attendance

15. Professional Development continued Sustained: • Membership in MEMCA (Michigan Early/Middle College Association) and all related conferences • Will investigate membership in the Middle College National Consortium • Annual attendance at County Wide Inservice • Monthly attendance at the Monroe County Principal’s meetings • Membership on Michigan Early/Middle College planning Association

16. Student Life Opportunities at MCMC: • Yearbook • Volunteering at hospital and other community agencies • Possible participation in County or State wide student leadership conferences • School Improvement Committee • Sports and other extra curricular activities at the student’s enrolling school district • Additional opportunities as needed

17. Impact Data • The MCMC is providing an excellent education to 81 9th and 10th grade students for the 2010-2011 school year • Projected enrollment for 2011-2012 school year is 130 • Total projected enrollment at full implementation will be 250-300 students taking high school and college courses • Student demographics • 16% minority • 74% female, 26% male • Nearly half are first generation college students • At full capacity the MCMC is expecting to employ • Two full time administrators • Seven full time teachers • One full time secretary • One full time counselor