742 Upper Maple Street, Danielson,
Connecticut
Principal: Gino LoRicco, 860-412-7400
A challenging, personalized learning
environment that fosters the skills,
knowledge, habits and discipline necessary for students from diverse backgrounds
to achieve and contribute in a positive and meaningful way to their communities.
In
2006, a small group of educators in northeast Connecticut came together to
design a special program — a middle college high school — that would offer
non-traditional learners in grades 10-12 an innovative educational option.
Based on a model program that had succeeded at community college campuses
nationwide since the mid-1970s, the new Quinebaug Valley Middle College High School
would offer an alternative for students who felt disconnected from their high
school program and were in danger of dropping out, particularly those who were capable
and independent learners.
Experience showed that, with support, these non-traditional learners could succeed in this unique
educational environment.
In 2008, northeast Connecticut’s QVMCHS proposal gained final approval from the Connecticut State Department of Education, enabling partners from Killingly, Plainfield, Putnam, Thompson, Windham, Woodstock, Quinebaug Valley Community College (QVCC) and EASTCONN to announce that the middle college’s doors would open at QVCC in August 2008. Excerpts from the Operation Plan.
Students lucky enough to attend the middle college high school are offered “the college experience” through a rigorous and creative academic program that not only allows them to attend classes on the QVCC campus in Danielson, but also enables them to complete their high school education at the same time. Community service is a main component of the program as students attend college-level classes and participate in real-world, hands-on projects intended to bolster student engagement, creativity and innovation.
EASTCONN administers the middle college for the partnership. QMC is part of the CSDE’s interdistrict magnet school initiative, which seeks to reduce, eliminate or prevent the racial, ethnic or economic isolation of public school students while offering a high-quality curriculum that supports educational improvement.
The school also gives each student a voice in the academic and social culture of their educational world at the middle college.
The vision guiding the development of this new school is based on the belief that student learning flourishes in an environment where high expectations and achievement are integral; where rigorous, relevant instruction is provided; and where the real-world application of skills is conducted in a community of strong, positive and caring relationships.
Student Life
at QMC
QMC recognizes in its learning community the unique personalities and
individual strengths of its members, including each student’s assets,
gifts, talents and interests. QMC assists these students as they
discover personal aspirations that will strengthen their resolve to
learn. Immersing them in an experiential learning environment like QMC provides a wealth of support from peers and caring adults. It
offers students the opportunity to verify evidence, to think and to work
toward finding solutions to complex problems, while simultaneously
learning how to express and demonstrate their new-found skills.
As members of a larger college community, students learn how to embrace and communicate sophisticated ideas. They are expected to demonstrate collegiality as they learn to move easily within a caring community. This middle college experience strengthens students’ resolve to learn, while encouraging their personal growth.
Within the overarching theme of the middle college experience, the QMC curriculum provides an integrated focus on literacy, contextual learning, and creativity and innovation. These concepts are woven throughout the middle college program. The QMC program also equips students with the skills, knowledge, habits and discipline necessary to successfully realize their education and career goals.
■ A Balanced Literacy Component
The middle college environment emphasizes the importance of clear,
coherent writing and speaking skills, as well as the comprehension of
all text and media.
■ Contextual/Applied Learning
To make learning relevant, students engage in internships, work
with mentors, explore career pathways, participate in problem-based
learning units, and choose from a variety of other opportunities.
Students learn how to apply their skills and knowledge at the
college level and beyond.
■ Creativity and Innovation
The QMC program bolsters creativity and innovation as each
student explores new ideas and opportunities through the middle college
experience. Given access to QVCC college courses, students are
offered a broad range of possible studies, including degree programs in
allied health, engineering, studio arts, computer networking, and
classes in philosophy, conflict resolution and anthropology — in
addition to advanced coursework in core academic areas of the high
school curriculum. As they explore these new worlds, middle college
students work to develop bold, new approaches as they manage their
own education and find original solutions to both academic and
real-world problems.
QMC
Graduation Requirements
Graduation requirements are consistent with Connecticut mandates and
includes 23 credits earned by the end of their high school career at QMC.
Graduation Requirements:
• English: 4 credits
• Mathematics: 3 credits
• Science: 3 credits
• Social Studies: 3 credits
• World Cultures, Language and Traditions: 2 credits
• Arts or Vocational Education: 1 credit
• Physical Education/Health: 1 credit
• Fine/Practical/Graphic Arts: 1 credit
• Community Service Learning: 1 credit
• Electives: 4 credits
Q: Who is eligible for the middle college experience at QMC?
A: Eligible students must be a Connecticut public high school student.
Referrals can come from counselors, principals and parents. Candidates
are non-traditional students who may be in danger of dropping out of school
because they don’t feel connected to their high school program, but are
also capable and independent learners.
Q: Where is middle college program located?
A: On the Quinebaug Valley Community College campus in Danielson, CT.
Q: What about transportation?
A: Each sending district town provides transportation for its QMC
students.
Q: What are the middle college’s hours?
A: The program runs from 7:20 a.m. to 1:55 p.m. Opportunities for
mentoring, tutoring, independent study and internships begin at 2 p.m.
Q: How many students, grades 10-12, will be allowed to enroll?
A: In the first year, 34 students in 10th-grade were enrolled. Each
year afterward, up to 40 additional students will enter the school until it
reaches about 125 students.
Q: Can students graduate from QMC with both a high school
diploma and college credits?
A: Yes. Each student’s personalized graduation plan will include an
opportunity to earn college credits.
Q: Are there tuition costs to parents for their QMC
students?
A: No. Student tuition is paid by the State Department of Education
and sending school districts.
Q: What happens if too many students apply for the limited number
of slots?
A: A lottery will be held.
Q: What is the school’s calendar?
A: The middle college calendar will closely follow the Killingly school
calendar, with some minor adjustments.
Q: What is the application process?
A: Any student interested in attending QMC should complete an
Application Form (Spanish) and mail it in.
Q: How can prospective students and their families find out more?
A: Contact your local high school guidance counselors, or contact QMC
Principal Gino LoRicco, at 860-412-7400, or at
gloricco@eastconn.org, or QMC School Counselor Melissa Jacobs,
860-412-7400, mjacobs@eastconn.org.