Early College

Early College is a program for high school students within the Grand Traverse region and Wexford-Missaukee ISD to earn college credits and up to an associates degree by completing course work 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 recognize 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 2023 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: kdalessandro@nmc.edu
      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 Authorization Form to request classes you may want to take.
  • For more information on the Northwest Ed Early College Program please contact Kevin D'Alessandro at kdalessandro@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 Authorization Form to request classes you may want to take.
  • For more information on the TCAPS Early College Program please contact Jason Smith at jasmith@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1082.

• 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
    • 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 Authorization Form to request classes you may want to take.
  • For more information on the WM-CTC Early College Program please contact Kevin D'Alessandro at kdalessandro@nmc.edu or (231) 995-1089.

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