Quinebaug Valley Middle College High School

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742 Upper Maple Street, Danielson, Connecticut

Principal: Gino LoRicco, 860-455-0707

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 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 will be 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 will be 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 will administer the middle college for the partnership. The QVMCHS 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.

Quinebaug Valley Middle College High School (QVMCHS) is designed to give high school students an option when the traditional high school setting is not enough.

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 QVMCHS
QVMCHS recognizes in its learning community the unique personalities and individual strengths of its members, including each student’s assets, gifts, talents and interests. QVMCHS will assist these students as they discover personal aspirations that will strengthen their resolve to learn. Immersing them in an experiential learning environment like QVMCHS 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 will learn how to embrace and communicate sophisticated ideas. They will be expected to demonstrate collegiality as they learn to move easily within a caring community. This middle college experience will strengthen students’ resolve to learn, while encouraging their personal growth.

The QVMCHS Curriculum
Within the overarching theme of the middle college experience, the QVMCHS curriculum will provide an integrated focus on literacy, contextual learning, and creativity and innovation. These concepts will be woven throughout the middle college program. The QVMCHS program will also equip 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 will engage in internships, work with mentors, explore career pathways, participate in problem-based learning units, and choose from a variety of other opportunities. Students will learn how to apply their skills and knowledge at the college level and beyond.

■ Creativity and Innovation
The QVMCHS program will bolster creativity and innovation as each student explores new ideas and opportunities through the middle college experience. Given access to QVCC college courses, students will be 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 will need to develop bold, new approaches as they manage their own education and find original solutions to both academic and real-world problems.

QVMCHS Graduation Requirements
Graduation requirements will be consistent with Connecticut mandates and will include 23 credits earned by the end of their high school career at QVMCHS.

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

Frequently Asked Questions About the New Quinebaug Valley Middle College High School

Q: Who is eligible for the middle college experience at QVMCHS?
A: Eligible students must be a Connecticut public high school student. Referrals can come from counselors, principals and parents. Candidates are those students who may be in danger of dropping out of school because they don’t feel connected to their high school program.

Q: Where will the middle college program be located?
A: On the Quinebaug Valley Community College campus in Danielson.

Q: What about transportation?
A: Each sending district town will provide transportation for its QVMCHS students.

Q: What are the middle college’s hours?
A: The program runs from 7:30 a.m. to 2 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, 30 students in 10th-grade will be enrolled. Each year afterward, 40 additional students will enter the school until it reaches about 125 students.

Q: Will students graduate from QVMCHS 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: Will there be tuition costs to parents for their QVMCHS students?
A: No. Student tuition will be 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 follow the Killingly school calendar.

Q: What is the application process?
A: Any student interested in attending QVMCHS should complete the Application Form (opposite) 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 QVMCHS Principal Gino LoRicco, at 860-455-0707, or at gloricco@eastconn.org.