Baker College, Avondale School District to offer college education at no cost to students beginning fall 2016

Baker College of Auburn Hills and Avondale School District have partnered to provide the opportunity for students to graduate from high school with up to 60 transferable college credits, a college associate degree or a technical certificate at no cost to the students or their families beginning fall 2016.

The Avondale Early/Middle College program pays for all tuition, books and fees.

The agreement is part of the Baker College Running Start initiative. It bundles state-sanctioned programs — early/middle college, direct credit, dual enrollment and articulation — under one umbrella to make it easy for secondary school districts to offer college credit to students.

Enrollment is open to current high school sophomores and juniors in the Avondale School District and schools-of-choice students. They can earn high school and college credit at the same time — primarily at the high school — and continue to earn college credit during a fifth year of high school with courses held at Baker College of Auburn Hills.

The enrollment deadline for schools-of-choice students is Sunday, May 15; enrollment for Avondale School District residents is ongoing.

“This partnership is providing high school students in the Avondale School District with a unique advantage as they prepare to enter the workforce,” said Peter W. Karsten, Ph.D., CPA, Baker College of Auburn Hills president. “Baker College has been preparing students for employment or career advancement for more than 100 years. Avondale students will get training that’s focused on meeting today’s employment needs without having to dip into their financial resources or incur debt.

“It’s a great running start on their higher education.”

Avondale High School Principal Sharon Hyde said, “The early/middle college program is a solid career pathway for students anxious to embark on a productive professional life. Imagine graduating from high school with an associate degree—ready to enter the workforce or continue post-high school education with a two-year springboard."

Courses that will be initially offered support the associate degree programs of business administration and digital media design. The first half of both programs includes general education courses that are requirements for many associate and bachelor’s degrees.

“We’ll consider additional offerings in the near future based upon student interest, employment trends and reported shortages of workforce talent,” Hyde said.

She emphasized that the Baker College curriculum is rigorous, but students will be supported by staff at both Avondale High School and Baker College.

“These are college-level courses,” she said. “To encourage student success in the program – through the 13th year – students will have access to and receive support from our staff as well as Baker College professional advisors. Baker College has an unmatched reputation for providing resources, support and guidance for their students even through graduation as they take that next step toward finding employment and beginning their professional lives.”

Avondale High School students who participate in the early/middle college remain eligible to participate in high school sports and other extracurricular activities through 12th grade. Those who elect to take fifth-year coursework may walk with their class at graduation, but will receive their high school diploma upon completion of the program.

The program is approved by the Michigan Department of Education.

Current Avondale students should contact their high school counselor for additional information.

Schools-of-choice students should contact Annette McAvoy in the district communications office at 248.537.6025 or annette.mcavoy@avondale.k12.mi.us.

For information about Baker College programs, contact Nicole Chirco in the admissions office at nicole.chirco@baker.edu or 248.340.0600, or visit www.baker.edu.

About Avondale School District:

Avondale School District is a collaborative community of teachers, staff and families working together to assure student success. The district, encompassing portions of Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Township, Troy and Rochester Hills, celebrates the richness of a diverse student population and strives to be a model school community that prepares students to be lifelong learners and contributing citizens to the world that awaits them upon graduation. Learn more about Avondale Schools, an AdvancED certified district, at www.avondaleschools.org.

About Baker College:

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is a not-for-profit higher education institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It serves more than 23,000 students on multiple campuses and online. Baker College grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 100 programs across diverse academic fields, including business, health sciences, engineering, information technology, education and human services. An impressive 97 percent of available graduates are employed. Every Baker College graduate receives Lifetime Employment Assistance—free and forever. Baker College is a pioneer in distance education and offers students the option of completing a degree 100 percent online, without ever visiting a campus. For information, visit www.baker.edu or follow Baker College on Twitter, @bakercollege, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bakercollege.

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