Midland Public Schools offers an excellent option for our high school students. MPS launched the Midland Public Schools Early Middle College (MPS-EMC) program in the fall of 2022 to provide additional opportunities to MPS students. Starting with their 10th or 11th grade year, MPS-EMC students will take some classes at one of our partner schools to fulfill required credits for Associate's degrees and/or Certificate programs.

Students enrolled in the Early Middle College program will extend their high school years by one additional year, meaning they will have five years in high school. While this means an additional year of being an MPS student, students will spend 100% of their 5th year taking their college classes. In summary, this program will allow students to have half of their college expenses paid before transferring to a university for a Bachelor's degree.

MPS Early Middle College students are able to walk at commencement with their senior year class, however, they will not receive their diploma until after their fifth year is completed. Successful Early College students will graduate from high school with their high school diploma plus one other positive credential:

• an Associate's degree 
• at least 60 transferable credits to the university of their choice
• Industry-level certificate: think CNA, phlebotomy, Sterile Processing Technician
• or a MEMCA Certificate

Applications for this exciting Midland Public Schools Early Middle College program are available from the student’s high school counseling department.

For those interested, here is some additional info from the Michigan Dept. of Education:

An early middle college (EMC) is a Michigan Department of Education approved five-year program of study. EMCs work closely with postsecondary partners to provide students with an opportunity to earn a high school diploma and one or more of the following: 60 transferable college credits, an associate degree, a professional certification, the Michigan Early Middle College Association (MEMCA) technical certificate, or participation in a registered apprenticeship.

A professional certification is any certificate or industry-recognized credential in which the pupil prepared for by taking course work provided by a Michigan public or private college or university.