Middle College FAQ

Middle College is an innovative, contemporary high school on a college campus which provides the opportunity for students to earn a high school diploma, start college early while gaining credits towards a certificate or degree and begin an internship or work study in the community as an integrated part of the educational process.

Exciting school reform is happening in your community. The traditional high school setting is not an effective model for all students to achieve a high school diploma. Therefore, additional high school options are necessary to further and better educate area youth.

Middle College has three primary populations. Our overall purpose is to serve students that are bright with great potential but are currently underperforming in the traditional high school setting. Secondly, we seek to support underserved students that have historically limited access to higher education and without additional support may never transition to college. Finally, Middle College is for students that are on track to graduate but have a life circumstance that limits their ability to thrive in the traditional high school and an earlier transition to college would be beneficial.

We concentrate on college and career preparation through general education, technical education, and high school credit.

Classes are smaller with each student receiving a graduation plan specific to their individual needs coupled with flexible scheduling. The school culture is a hands-on, technical environment in a collegiate atmosphere. Students earn college credits that may be applied towards a certificate or degree. Eligible students participate in internships matched to their individual career pathways to assist in gaining greater understanding of the relevancy between school and work.

• Providing Students in southwest Missouri a Contemporary Educational Experience
• Providing an Innovative Educational Option for Students Seeking a High School Diploma in a Non-traditional Setting
• Providing an Opportunity for Students to Earn College Credit while Completing High School
• Aiding Students in Developing Skills in a Specific Career Pathway through General Education and/or Technical Education
• Increasing the Relevancy of School through Students’ Participation in Experiential Learning through Paid and/or Unpaid Internships in a Specific Career Pathway
• Assisting Students in the Transition from High School to College or the Workforce

• Small College-style Classes
• Opportunity to Earn High School Diploma in a Contemporary College Setting
• Personal Teacher/Mentors to Assist Each Student
• Individualized Graduation Plans
• Greater Use of Computer Technology
• Free College Tuition
• Free College Textbooks and Use of Career Tools/Supplies in College Laboratory Setting
• Smoother Transition to College or the Workforce
• Non-traditional School Schedule Hours
• Paid and/or Unpaid Internships

The Middle College is located on the Ozarks Technical Community College campus in Springfield, Missouri. Students attend classes throughout campus and leave their traditional high school behind to finish their diploma on OTC’s campus.

Middle College has expanded to include over 145 students per year.

• Early Childhood
• Diesel/Automotive Technology
• Medical Services
• Construction Technology
• Networking
• Auto Collision Repair
• Culinary Arts
• Drafting and Design
• Electronic Media Production
• Graphic Design
• Heating, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning
• Industrial Systems
• Welding

Students attending Springfield Public Schools and other area school districts who are members of the consortium partnership (contact your school counselor to see if your school participates).

Good candidates may be any of the following:

• Students who would like to start college early.
• Students who view education as an opportunity to pursue future goals and/or dreams.
• Students who have good grades but due to individual life circumstances could benefit from starting college early.
• Mature students who are ready to transition to an adult-oriented college environment.

Middle College is primarily for students who are seeking a different high school experience. Many students may have life issues that inhibit their ability to see college in their future; therefore, Middle College helps them make a smooth transition to higher education. Students must have the ability to stay focused, follow directions and demonstrate good attendance. Students with significant discipline issues or substance abuse are not eligible.

• Poor Attendance
• Lack of Effort
• Lack of Studying/Completing Homework
• Refusal to Accept Help
• Limited Awareness of the Problem
• Unwillingness to Change
• Immaturity or Poor Behavior
• No Transportation

• College Environment
• Friendly, Caring Culture
• Drug-free Expectations
• Non-traditional College Schedule
• Smaller Classes
• Full-time Tutoring Support
• Interesting Technical and College Education Classes
• Internships
• Freedom with Accountability
• Student Contract
• Extended Learning

Application, attendance, age, transcript credits, discipline records, GPA, assessment scores, administrator or counselor recommendation, student essay, student/parent interviews as well as any significant life circumstance that makes a student a good candidate to transition to the college environment early.

• High School Curriculum Consistent towards Graduation Requirements
• Credit Recovery Courses through Computer-assisted Learning
• Technical Education Pathways, College Transition Courses and Vocational Skills
• Social Skills and Employer Expectations are Embedded in all Courses
• Paid and/or Unpaid Internship Experiences
• Work Credit

School schedules vary by the days, semester and cohort group.

You will follow the Middle College calendar, which closely resembles OTC’s school calendar.

No, once you are selected the Middle College is your new home school located on OTC’s campus.

Middle College follows college closures and decisions. You should listen on the radio or look at OTC’s website to know what to do. All students are encouraged to sign up for emergency texts from OTC upon enrollment.

We encourage students to attend summer school through Middle College or their home school district, if available. Occasionally, Middle College offers intersession courses during the summer or winter holiday.

Students should see their school counselor or contact the Middle College office at 417-447-6997. You may apply now online or feel free to stop by OTC’s Springfield campus and visit our office located in the Industry, Transportation & Technology Center (ITTC), suite 222.

• Interested students will complete an application and submit it to their school counselor or the Middle College office.
• Applications are accepted year round.
• Selected students will be invited to interview on campus with a parent.
• Students admitted will be notified by the Middle College office.

Yes, students will receive a diploma from their home school district and may choose to participate in graduation ceremonies at their home high schools. A Middle College graduation ceremony is held each May.

Yes. However, you must request permission through the home high school’s administration.

Yes, Middle College students are treated like any other college student and are free to come and go. However, they are expected to be in class, on time and make responsible decisions. Students are asked to sign out of the Middle College office if they leave campus early or come in late. Students who abuse the privilege of attending school on a college campus will be dismissed to return to their home high school.

Students fall under the college guidelines, Middle College expectations and rules as well as their home school district handbook. Middle College does not have in school suspensions or out of school suspensions. Students are expected to behave in an appropriate manner for a college environment and demonstrate maturity. Students causing a disruption may be dismissed to go home at any time during the day. A significant violation will result in a dismissal from the program, and the student must return to high school. All students and parents sign a behavior and expectations contract to attend Middle College.

If selected to attend, your admission provides a scholarship for tuition and books in the Middle College program. Together, Ozarks Technical Community College and your home school district will provide the financial means for you to be a student at this amazing, contemporary school option. The student will have the opportunity to earn many hours of free college credit over a two year period.  Appropriate work clothing for internships will be the responsibility of the student. General graduation costs should be expected. Students and their families are responsible for an annual enrollment fee currently set at $60. Payments are expected prior to first day of classes and can be made securely online by credit card or by cash or check through the cashier’s office located on the Springfield OTC campus.

No. Students must provide their own transportation. However, students may check with their home high school to see if a bus runs to OTC during the day.

Yes. Students may be drug or alcohol tested at any time after accepting admission to the Middle College and signing the release form. Most employment internships require a drug screening prior to beginning work. Students that test positive for substance abuse and are participating in an internship or work experience through Middle College, will have their employer notified and employment may be terminated.

You are obligated through a contract to complete each semester you start. However, if at the semester’s end a student chooses not to return, he/she may return to their home school to complete high school credits without penalty, and a new student will take your place.

Yes. You are still eligible to qualify for the A+ scholarship at Middle College.

Yes, Middle College was piloted with Springfield Public School students. Now we are open to students in southwest Missouri whose school district is participating in the consortium partnership. Contact your high school counselor to see if you may apply.

Dr. Tiffany Brunner, Director
Phone: 417-447-6992
Email: brunnert@otc.edu

James Faucher, Assistant Director
Phone: 417-447-7686
Email: faucherj@otc.edu