“I chose to join the Early College Newaygo County program because I knew this was a great opportunity for me to get a "jump start" on my education.” – Alana Tovar-Pineda

 “[I like] the care the mentors take with us and the friendship with fellow cohort members." – Carlos Olvera

• What is ECNC: Early College Newaygo County (ECNC) is a 3 year program in partnership with Muskegon Community College, NC RESA, and Newaygo County public school districts that provides students the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and an associate degree upon successful completion in the program.

• Why choose ECNC: With more than 60% of jobs requiring a post-secondary degree/ credential by 2020, education beyond high school is critical to securing a viable career.

• Cost of ECNC: Tuition, fees, books and course-required materials will be paid for at no cost to students or their families. Transportation will need to be covered by the students and/or family. The Career-Tech Center bussing is available for many classes offered at NC RESA during the first two years of the program.

• Who is eligible: Interested students apply during grade 10 and begin participating in the program in grade 11, and work towards completion in grade 12 and 13.

• How to apply: Please contact your high school counselor to learn how to apply or click on the ECNC application link above. Completed applications should be submitted to your high school counselor.

• Where do classes take place: Many students in the first year of the program will take afternoon classes (typically at NC RESA). The classes taken during grade 12 will be held in the morning at NC RESA or on MCC’s Muskegon campus. During the third (13th) year, students may choose to take their classes on MCC’s Muskegon campus, NC RESA, and/or online.

ECNC brought to you in partnership with Muskegon Community College, Fremont High School, Grant High School, Hesperia High School, Newaygo High School, and White Cloud High School

• Meeting expectations: While earning an associate degree, ECNC students will also commit to attending a summer orientation during each summer of the program and attend regularly scheduled cohort meetings each year of the program.

   

• Transportation: For the first two years, the Career-Tech Center bussing is available for many classes offered at NC RESA. During the 13th year, transportation to MCC’s Muskegon campus will need to be covered by the student and/ or family.

   

• College classes: Students will take a combination of high school and college courses during the first two years in the program. In grade 11, college classes will take place in the afternoon. In grade 12, college classes will occur in the morning. During the 13th year, classes might be held on MCC’s Muskegon campus, online, or at NC RESA. All ECNC students follow MCC's academic calendar.

• MEMCA certificate: The MEMCA technical certificate is an official document that verifies a student’s successful completion of the ECNC program. Requirements for the certificate include the following: completion of the state of Michigan high school graduation requirements, attendance and participation in all student orientations and cohort meetings, successful completion of (non-remedial) college courses, and achieving all community service and career exploration hours as outlined in the ECNC handbook.

• High school activities: ECNC encourages students to be fully engaged in their high school programs, participate in sports and any other extracurricular activities students are interested in, walk at their high school graduation ceremony, and apply and receive local scholarships. However, ECNC students are not allowed to play high school sports their 13th year but can participate in inter-mural sports at MCC.

"He'll be effectively starting at the university as a junior when the rest of his classmates are sophomores, which means he'll enter the work force a year sooner. He also won't be drowning in student debt when he graduates." 2016 Cohort Parent

"I have watched my student mature greatly over the past three years. It will help her transition to Central Michigan University. She will be an extremely adjusted freshman with junior status." 2016 Parent Cohort