Our Mission
We provide resources, mentorship, and opportunities for collaboration to middle and early colleges high schools, allowing educators to develop and maintain successful college and career programs.
Our Vision
We strive to broaden the future opportunities of more students by expanding access to college classes through robust Early Colleges, Middle Colleges, and Dual Enrollment Programs.
The Educational Models
MCNC schools bridge the high school and college experience for underserved youth.
Middle College
Middle College High Schools (MCHS) are secondary schools located on college campuses and authorized to grant diplomas in their own name. MCHSs typically have 100 or fewer students per grade level, and provide a rigorous academic curriculum within a supportive environment to a student population that has been historically underserved and underrepresented in colleges. While at a Middle College High School, students have the opportunity to take some college classes at no cost to themselves or their families.
Early College
Early College High Schools share the main characteristics of Middle College High Schools: strong academic program, supportive environment, located on a college campus—and are designed to serve the same target population at no cost to the students. However, Early College High Schools also have a defined and structured program that enables the high school students to earn both their high school diploma and their associate degree in four to five years at no cost to the student.
Dual Enrollment
In Dual Enrollment Programs, high school students are able to take college courses, usually at nearby postsecondary institutions. Successful completion of college-level courses enables students to obtain credit toward both their high school diploma and toward a college degree. An Enhanced Dual Enrollment Program provides additional academic, social, and emotional support to students and professional development opportunities for all staff so they can facilitate the transition from high school to college.
Our History
Middle College High School at LaGuardia Community College opens
The school was designed to blend high school and college classes for students who dropped out or were at risk of dropping out at the end of ninth grade.
The Model is Replicated
Six Middle College High School replication sites are created and developed under the leadership of the Middle College National Consortium (MCNC), with funding support from the Ford Foundation. Six Middle College High Schools are funded by the New York State Legislature for the City University Of New York.
MCNC Becomes an Official Not-for-Profit and offers support for Middle College educators
MCNC's network of schools was created with initial funding support from the Pew Charitable Trusts and the DeWitt Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. Professional development conferences and student conferences are organized. MCNC schools pilot the American Social History Project, Facing History and Ourselves, and several innovative math curriculums, while also developing the Critical Friends Review process.
The Nationwide Early College Initiative Begins
The Early College Initiative begins is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Canegie Corporation of New York, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and Ford Foundation. MCNC receives a five-year grant as one of the intermediary organizations charged with developing Early College schools and begins to support the process of redesigning 10 existing MCNC Middle College High Schools into Early Colleges. MCNC also begins creating 20 new Early and Middle Colleges. MCNC partners with National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching (NCREST) with a focus on using data for continuous improvement.
Two Newly Created Early and Emiddle Colleges Open Undert the Leadership of MCNC
Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy at Los Angeles Harbor College and Buffalo Middle Early College High School at Erie Community College open their doors to students.
MEMCA is Established in Michigan
The Michigan Early/Middle College Association (MEMCA) is established as an affiliate of MCNC, organized and led by the founding principal of Mott Middle College High School, an MCNC member school.
Additional Funding Received
MCNC provides extended Early College Initiative professional development in math and literacy to its schools, with support from an additional two-year grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
CCEMC is Established in California
The California Coalition of Early Middle Colleges (CCEMC) is established as an affiliate of MCNC, organized and led by former and current principals from San Joaquin MCHS, John F. Kennedy MCHS, and San Bernardino MCHS--all MCNC member schools.
STEM early College Expansion Partnership Begins
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education i3 Innovations Grant, the five-year SECEP project--in partnership with NCREST, MEMCA, and Jobs for the Future--aims to expand STEM awareness and college course-taking for high school students in four Michigan districts and the Bridgeport, Connecticut district.
The College in High School Alliance is Organized
CHSA is formally organized to advocate for policies that promote effective dual enrollment, concurrent enrollment, and Early College High Schools. In addition to MCNC, Bard College, Jobs for the Future, KnowledgeWorks, and the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships are involved in leading this joint effort.
Collaborating during Covid
While the pandemic has global implications across all demographics and industries, the impact on schools, education, and especially students is profound. In response, the Consortium pivots to virtual conferences to support educators during this unprecedented time.
Drilling Down Student Support Practices
MCNC and NCREST report on how specific student support practices increase equity and opportunity for M/EC students.