Middle College graduation set for Sunday

The second annual Middle College graduation will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, May 15, at the Gillioz Theater in downtown Springfield with a total of 31 seniors receiving their diplomas.

“As we graduate our second class of 31 seniors, and we look at the impact it has made on their individual lives, I marvel at the positive changes we see in our seniors,” said Dr. LaRaine Bauer, Middle College director.

The Middle College, the only program of its kind in the state, is an alternative education high school located on Ozarks Technical Community College’s Springfield campus in partnership with Springfield Public Schools. 

Students attending Middle College have the opportunity to earn their high school diploma while simultaneously enrolling in college classes and beginning work experiences through local internships in their career pathway. 

Middle College programs of study include Diesel/Automotive Technology, Early Childhood Development and Medical Service.

“We are really proud of the success of the Middle College, and we owe it all to the mutual collaboration between OTC and Springfield Public Schools to create a contemporary model of education, unique to the state of Missouri,” Dr. Bauer said.

Sunday’s graduation ceremony is open to the public.