Middle College opens to all area districts

The overwhelmingly successful Middle College at Ozarks Technical Community College continues to draw interest from school districts and donors in the region.

Designed to assist students who are struggling in high school, this program also helps address the needs of students that are historically underserved or lack access to higher education. The underperforming students in the program have greater academic ability and could achieve at a higher level than their present performance.

The unique program, the only one of its kind in Missouri, was initially piloted with Springfield students but next fall will open to area school partners, according to LaRaine Bauer, Director of the Middle College.

“We are excited to be able to offer our educational services to all area school districts. We know the students will find the program a good match for their educational needs and our area schools will benefit from the positive student results,” said Dr. Hal Higdon, president of Ozarks Technical Community College.

“In three years, we provided a unique high school experience on a community college campus, helped students earn college credits and completed over 150 internships in our community.”

In addition to expanding the program, Middle College has been the recent recipient of a generous $100,000 gift from Jim and Cathy Moore.

“It’s the right program for these children. It’s a great chance for them to succeed. We want to help the kids who need help,” Jim Moore said.

Higdon said the gift would go a long way in helping the program.

“The generous gift from Jim and Cathy Moore gives our Middle College program the ability to remain a leader in meeting the needs of the students who are enrolled in it,” he said.

Since its start several years ago, the program has grown to 76 students on campus with 32 students scheduled to graduate this May.

“The framework has developed into a program that is a contemporary model of alternative education,” Bauer said.

Steve Koehler is coordinator of publications at Ozarks Technical Community College. Contact him at koehlers@otc.edu.