Early College

Early College is a program for high school students within the Grand Traverse region and Wexford-Missaukee Intermediate School District (ISD) to earn college credits and up to an associate degree by completing coursework at their home high schools, at Northwest Ed Services (formerly TBAISD), or WMISD Career-Tech Centers, and on Northwestern Michigan College's campus.

Participating students and parents will see significant tuition cost savings and be on a faster track to obtaining a college degree. Course tuition is funded through Michigan school aid funds.

Early College Programs

• Northwest Education Services (formerly TBAISD)

  • Learn more about the Northwest Ed Services Early College Program
  • Earn an NMC Certificate or two-year Associate in Applied Science degree in one of the following designated Early College pathways.
  • Application Steps
    1. Complete the 2024 Northwest Ed Early College Application.
    2. Submit an online application form to NMC at nmc.edu/apply-now.
       1. Select "High School Early College" as your student type
    3. Request an official transcript from your high school be sent directly to NMC
    4. Send a copy of your Letter of Recommendation to adarga@northwested.org.
    5. Complete the NMC math placement test, Accuplacer, through the Testing Center.
       • * Final approval into the Early College program, and to determine available space in an Early College pathway, is contingent upon your high school and the North Ed Early College Coordinator, Ashley Darga ( adarga@northwested.org)*
    6. Submit your Enrollment Approval Form to request classes you may want to take.
  • For more information, please contact Beth Weaver at bweaver@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1089.

• Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS)

  • Learn more about the TCAPS Early College Program
  • Application Steps
    1. Meet with your high school counselor
    2. Submit an online application form at nmc.edu/apply-now.
       1. Select "High School Early College" as your student type
       2. Your program of study should be "Liberal Arts & Science, ASA"
    3. Request an official transcript from your high school to be sent directly to NMC
    4. Submit a two paragraph essay to NMC on why you want to enroll in the Early College Program
    5. Submit your Enrollment Approval Form to request classes you may want to take.
  • For more information on the TCAPS Early College Program please contact:
    • TC Central High School – Rorie Kawula at rkawula@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1022
    • TC West Senior High School – Beth Weaver at bweaver@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1089

• Wexford-Missaukee Early College (WM-CTC)

  • Learn more about the WM-CTC Early College Program
  • Earn a two-year Associate in Applied Science degree with NMC in: Engineering Technology with a concentration in Computers, Electronics or Robotics & Automation; or Computer Information Technology (CIT): Infrastructure & Security; or Law Enforcement.
    • Application Steps
      1. Complete the WM-CTC Student Application.
      2. Submit an online application form at nmc.edu/apply-now.
         1. Select "High School Early College" as your student type
      3. Request an official transcript from your high school to be sent directly to NMC
         • * Final approval into the Early College program, and to determine available space in an Early College pathway, is contingent upon your high school and the WM-CTC Early College Coordinator, Meghan Howell ( mhowell@wmisd.org)*
      4. Submit your Enrollment Approval Form to request classes you may want to take.
  • For more information, please contact Beth Weaver at bweaver@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1089.

• Greenspire High School

  • Learn more about the Greenspire High School Program
  • For more information, please contact Rorie Kawula at rkawula@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1022.

Simply Put, Early College is:

• Public, tuition-free
• An extended high school program including a 13th year
• Integrated with high school courses
• Includes college campus experience
• Degree and career-focused

Find information on Dual Enrollment here

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