Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Monday, March 09, 2009

A new high school is coming to Fayette County next year – and it will be on a college campus.

Opportunity Middle College, the latest Fayette County Public School offering, will give juniors and seniors a taste of college, with a chance to take college courses while also earning their high school diploma.

Mike McKenzie, director of high schools for FCPS, described the partnership with Bluegrass Community & Technical College as “a win-win situation for everyone involved.”

“The biggest advantage for students is that they will be able to see firsthand that they can succeed in college,” he said. “They will experience college life and experience success in the college classroom. They will see college as within their grasp and within their ability.”

Juniors and seniors accepted into the program will go to school at the community college’s Leestown campus, where they will take regular high school classes taught by FCPS staff. Signing up for college courses, led by BCTC faculty, is optional. Students may still participate in extracurricular activities and will graduate from their home high school, but in theory could earn a two-year associate’s degree at the same time.

Rebecca Simms, director of dual credit initiatives at BCTC, noted that students must have the prerequisites to take college classes, such as acceptable ACT or SAT scores. “Our goal is to try to get them in minimally one college course because we do want them to see what it’s like,” she said.

“When they get to college full-time, they’ll be much better prepared academically and socially,” added Simms, who cited time management skills and the ability to form study groups among the benefits.

The program targets teens who have potential but might not be considering college or know little about what it’s really like, particularly those who might be the first in their families to attend college. In addition to encouraging their pursuit of higher education, it will give kids an opportunity to get a head start on college – at no cost to them. FCPS will use grant funds to cover tuition and books for students taking BCTC classes and will provide transportation to campus. Each student will also have a laptop computer to use while at BCTC.

“The biggest challenge will be adjusting to the college setting.  However, we will work with the college staff and FCPS staff to provide the necessary support network in order for all students to be successful,” McKenzie said.

How to apply:

Applications for Opportunity Middle College are available from high school guidance counselors. The deadline is April 28 for consideration for the fall semester. Each of the five high schools will select 10 students to participate.

For more details, contact Janie Cottrell, program manager for Smaller Learning Communities, at (859) 381-4289. 

Information Night:

• When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday March 24
• Where: Bluegrass Community & Technical College (Leestown campus) in the Student Center (Building C on the left, at 164 Opportunity Way)