The innovative Middle College program offered by Roane State Community College is coming to Cumberland County’s two high schools in the fall.

Eighteen rising juniors from Cumberland County High School and Stone Memorial High School recently signed up online for the Middle College Scholarship offered by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation.

The high achievers committed to the program during an April 19 meeting where the two-year, fast-track to a college degree was explained.

“This is a great beginning,” said Middle College support staff member Ann Morphew. She said students were eager to learn about the program. “I’m so pleased for these students and their families that Cumberland County Schools has voted to bring this proven program to Roane State’s Crossville campus.”

In Middle College, high-school students attend Roane State and take college-level courses in the mornings and return to their high schools in the afternoons to finish up their requirements for high-school graduation.

Those students can then graduate with a Roane State associate degree at the same time they receive their high-school diplomas. Those graduates are then able to enroll in a university as juniors and finish their bachelor’s degree in just two years after high school.

“We are proud that our students have the opportunity to be involved in the Middle College program,” said Stone Memorial High School Principal Dr. William S. Maddox.

Cumberland County High School Principal Jon Hall agreed. “I think the Middle College opportunity is a fantastic way for high-achieving students to get a jump on their college career,” he said.

Prospective Middle College students are rising high-school juniors who scored 22 or above on the pre-ACT test. Those accepted take general college-education subjects all college students must take –  in science, math, English and additional subjects –  during their first year.

Middle College students then take classes geared toward their majors during their second year. Students in the same major take the same classes. An advisor and an academic coach are assigned to work with Middle College students.

Beginning in the fall semester, incoming Middle College students will qualify for $600 scholarships per semester for four semesters to help offset tuition expenses.

To qualify, students must have a 3.0 high-school GPA. To retain the scholarship, students must maintain at least a 3.0 college GPA in each semester. If a student’s GPA falls below a 3.0 in any semester, the scholarship will be discontinued for that student.

For more information on Middle College, visit www.roanestate.edu/middlecollege.