First Middle College in Maryland Opens at Prince George’s Community College |

This story comes to us from Prince George's Community College:

LARGO, Md.—Prince George's Community College (PGCC) in collaboration with the Prince

George’s County Public Schools will open the Academy of Health Sciences at Prince George’s

Community College, the first middle college high school in the state of Maryland. The first

group of students will attend a Summer Bridge Program in July 2011. While middle college high

schools, located on college campuses, are authorized to grant diplomas, PGCC’s program will be

focused on preparing students to enter a college program in the health sciences field.

The Academy of Health Sciences at Prince George’s Community College’s first class will

consist of 100 ninth grade students. A class will be added each subsequent year until full

enrollment, approximately 400 students in grades 9-12, is achieved. The Academy of Health

Sciences at Prince George’s Community College will provide required high school curriculum

including high school assessment courses, which are end-of-course-examinations required for a

Maryland High School Diploma. Students will have the opportunity to earn up to two years of

college credits.

“Students enrolled in the Middle College Health Sciences Academy will graduate with a high

school diploma and, at the maximum, an associate degree,” said Charlene M. Dukes, president of

Prince George’s Community College. “Our significant partnership with the Prince George's

County Public Schools gives us the opportunity to work together and meet the educational needs

of our community through an educational program that offers interested students and their

families a fast track to a collegiate experience,” she added.

Benefits of middle college programs include increasing the number of college credits students

can earn while still in high school as well as making higher education more accessible and

affordable.

"We are proud to have the first school in the state of Maryland to offer this unique dual

enrollment opportunity to students," said William R. Hite, Jr., superintendent, Prince George’s

County Schools. "The Middle College program was made possible through an ongoing

partnership with Prince George's Community College, and I extend my thanks and appreciation

to all who were involved in the development process. Together, we will help ensure that students

in our county are prepared to succeed in college and our future workforce."