According to a press release sent out via Muncie Community Schools May 31:

Muncie Central High School’s Early College program has been recognized as one of the best in Indiana by the Urban College Acceleration Network (UCAN), a new initiative of the University of Indianapolis’ (UIndy) Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL) in partnership with the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), after only seven years of existence. CELL recently re-endorsed the Bearcats’ Early College program and invited MCHS to serve as a Mentor School to other Indiana high schools so they can successfully implement a program similar to that of Muncie Central High School's.

“It’s quite an honor to be one of just four schools in the state to be asked to serve as a Mentor School,” Muncie Central High School Principal Chris Walker said. “We have a number of dedicated teachers, which is essential, and Mr. Reichard does an incredible job of coordinating the entire program in conjunction with Ivy Tech.”

Early College programs allow students to earn college credits and/or professional credentials while students are still in high school. Students can graduate with college credits and potentially a two-year Associate’s degree, saving families thousands of dollars in tuition; each year, MCHS students earn approximately $350,000 in free college credits.

“Muncie Central has quality programs helping its students succeed not just in high school, but also accelerate into post-secondary education,” UIndy’s CELL Director of Early College Sandy Hillman said. “Last year alone, there were 17 Central students who earned Associate degrees from Ivy Tech and another 23 students who earned the Indiana College Core.”

While open to all students, Early College programs specifically serve students who are statistically underrepresented in higher education – students from low-income families, first-generation college students, English language learners and students of color.

The Indiana College Core includes 30 hours of general education courses that fulfill the freshman year requirements at all public universities and colleges in Indiana.

“Ivy Tech is proud to provide students with this unique opportunity to complete their core courses while simultaneously earning college credits or even a degree,” Muncie Central High School Early College Coordinator Khalid Reichard said. “If students work hard, they can accomplish great things.”

MaKaiya Lowe graduated in 2022 with a two-year degree from Ivy Tech in addition to her diploma earned at MCHS. She said Reichard’s presentation during her eighth grade year motivated her to apply to the Early College program.

“Thanks to the Early College program, I’ve got all my general classes out of the way,” Lowe said. “Now I can concentrate on my career classes, which will save me time and money. It also already has me in a college mindset, so it’s been really cool.”

For more information about Muncie Central High School's Early College program, visit: https://chs.muncie.k12.in.us/departmentsresources/academics.

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