Marquette-Alger Technical Middle College opens doors to high school students

Marquette, MI, July 23, 2014 – Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency (MARESA) Superintendent, Deborah Veiht, announced today that MARESA has formed a partnership with Northern Michigan University and two local school districts: Marquette Area Public Schools and Negaunee Public Schools, to establish the Marquette-Alger Technical Middle College (MATMC).  The middle college will provide high school students in Marquette and Alger Counties the opportunity to earn both a high school diploma and a substantial number of college credits at no cost to the student or family.

Juniors from Marquette Senior High School and Negaunee High School will comprise the first cohort of MATMC students during its 2014-2015 pilot year. If the pilot effort is successful,  students from all public school districts within Marquette and Alger Counties will be invited to participate in the middle college beginning with the 2015-16 school year.

The MATMC will partner local high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs with similar programs at Northern Michigan University, encouraging students to pursue associate degrees that are in high demand.  The MATMC Health Sciences Academy will pair high school Health Occupations programs with NMU’s Clinical Sciences Associate Degree programs, while the MATMC Industrial Maintenance Academy will pair high school Welding programs with NMU’s Welding Certificate and Industrial Maintenance Associate Degree programs.

Students enrolling in the MATMC will take a combination of high school classes and dual enrollment college classes, reducing the time required to earn a degree.  Their middle college experience will include multiple layers of student supports and will feature individualized learning plans for each student to strengthen opportunities for postsecondary success.  The entire experience will come at no cost to the student or family thanks to a combination of public and private funding sources.

The purpose of the MATMC is to provide a gradual and supported transition from high school to college that ensures postsecondary success, to make college more affordable to students and families and to provide an incentive for students to pursue degrees that are in high demand and vital to the growth of our local and state economies.

The students, parents and the public are encouraged to learn more about this exciting opportunity by attending one of the upcoming MATMC informational meetings:

Marquette Senior High School Little Theater
Wednesday, July 23 – 11:45 AM & 7:00 PM
Monday, July 28 – 11:45 AM & 7:00 PM

Negaunee High School Auditorium
Thursday, July 24 – 11:45 AM & 7:00 PM
Tuesday, July 29 – 11:45 AM & 7:00 PM

For more information or questions regarding the MATMC, contact Brian Sarvello, MATMC Director at 906-226-5135 or bsarvello@maresa.org