Wyoming — Wyoming High School senior Andrew Trieu has a solid plan for his future.
Andrew is in Wyoming Public Schools Middle College, on his way to completing two-years’ worth of transferable Grand Rapids Community College credits as a high school student. He also hopes to land an internship before enrolling at San Diego State University or Grand Valley State University to pursue business marketing and communication.
He acknowledged that he has a big head start and sees the value in it. “Time is money,” Andrew said.
He will exit the program with his high school diploma and 60 GRCC credits, a year ahead of non-program students in his high school graduation year.
“I chose middle college because it gave me college experience. The professor comes to our school. The school pays for our middle college. The teachers don’t just hand it to you; you’ve got to take your own notes. … They don’t babysit you.”
In tandem with their high school diploma, middle college students earn up to 60 GRCC credits and/or an associate degree. They are considered high-school students for five years, with the fifth year spent on the college campus.
Wyoming’s middle college was the first of its kind in the area, created through a partnership with Grand Rapids Community College in 2012-13. After it started, other high schools began programs as well, including Kenowa Hills, GRPS’s Ottawa Hills, East Kentwood, Cedar Springs and Launch U on Kent ISD’s campus.
Beginning in 10th grade, Wyoming students add GRCC classes to their high school schedules without paying tuition. The cost for classes is paid for through the per-pupil foundation allowance from the state.
The Impact
Since it started, 581 Wyoming students — including those enrolled currently — have gone through the program, with 51% of them earning an associate degree, according to information from the community college. Their average GRCC GPA is 3.12. Also, 88% have earned a Michigan early middle college certification, which requires 15 transferable credits, and 70 hours of combined community service and college and career readiness training.
One of those students, Shawn Nickens, graduated from Wyoming Middle College in 2020 and plans to graduate from GVSU with a degree in biomedical sciences in winter 2025.
‘’Take advantage of the resource. It will help you go further to do what you want in life.’
— Wyoming High and middle college grad Shawn Nickens
He said the program helped him in multiple ways: Not only to be prepared for a four–year university, but having an associate degree also helped him land a job in marketing, which he took during a gap year to save money for school.
When he enrolled at GVSU, he already had 60 credits. After his bachelor’s he plans to apply at Michigan State University for graduate school and work toward becoming an anesthesiologist. Without middle college, he said he would have “way more debt” and less experience in college classes, time management and work.
“I would say it definitely propelled me,” Shawn said. “It would have been drastically different if I had not done that program.”
He recommends it to anyone who’s interested.
“Take advantage of the resource,” he said. “It will help you go further to do what you want in life.”
Graduates have gone on to earn four-year degrees, enter the workforce, trade schools or pursue other educational opportunities including continuing programs at GRCC. Many have scholarship opportunities as they head on to four-year schools, said Rachelle Drayton, counselor in charge of middle college, dual enrollment and college career planning.
Students who go on to other colleges still qualify for first-year scholarships, though they are at junior status, said Robin Sterk, GRCC director of high-school partnerships.
“It’s a point of pride for the college to know that it’s a true partnership for the college to help the students from fruition to completion,” she said.
‘A College-going Environment’
Wyoming High School Principal Josh Baumbach said the program has helped shape the school’s culture. There’s confidence in (high-school students realizing) “I’m a college student. I can do this,” he said.
Many are first-generation college students who benefit from support offered by GRCC professors and Wyoming teachers. Also, financial aid can be a barrier due to citizenship status. The tuition-free program removes that roadblock, said Drayton, the counselor.
And the high-school experience is not lost, she pointed out. Students still walk at high-school graduation and can participate in all activities and clubs. However, they have access to college experiences and support systems too, and have their own RaiderCards. A GRCC student navigator also acts as a mentor to connect students with resources.
“They get double the support: They have high school support; they get the GRCC support,” Drayton said.
GRCC professors often request to return to teach at Wyoming.
“The relationship we’ve been able to build with GRCC in general has been phenomenal,” added Baumbach. “The professors are great when they come into the building; they enjoy the work (and) our kids enjoy working with them.”
Through the recently approved state school aid budget, community college in Michigan is now free for the class of 2023 or later, but Baumbach said he doesn’t see that affecting interest in the program.
“They really do get to do this as a high-school student,” he said, noting that the accelerated path to a GRCC graduation is a major perk.
He said many siblings have gone through the program.
“Families find it valuable and want to stay within the high school for that experience,” Baumbach said. “Certainly, they see Wyoming High School as a place that’s offering them some great opportunities to prepare for their future.”
Sterk said the program reaches an important group. Starting college classes in 10th grade is helpful for those who otherwise might feel it’s out of reach later.
“Middle college really is that opportunity for that student who might not always consider themselves college-able, college-capable and college-ready,” she said.
Many Possible Paths
In the Wyoming High School media center, senior Roxanne Webb recently worked on an essay in her GRCC English class. Several of her classmates also worked on college assignments. It was a free hour on a day their GRCC classes don’t meet, and they were taking advantage of time to finish coursework.
‘Middle college really is that opportunity for that student who might not always consider themselves college-able, college-capable and college-ready.’
— Robin Sterk, GRCC director of high-school partnerships
“I just thought (middle college) would be a good opportunity. There are times when you get a lot of work, but you are able to get it done. The free hours definitely help,” Roxanne said.
“You know that you are ahead (academically) of a lot of people.”
Roxanne is thinking about becoming an electrician after she has her associate degree in hand. An extra bonus: She can tailor her final year in middle college to include GRCC electrical classes.
Senior Klaus Eckert has enjoyed opportunities such as volunteering for extra credit at GRCC’s Spectrum Theater and a government field trip.
“(I knew) it would be smart financially to do middle college,” said Klaus, who is interested in a career in interior design construction. “I’m somewhat smart, I guess. It makes me feel good that I am taking college classes. It makes me feel good that I’m ahead as well.”
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