HISTORY

Middle College High School, a joint educational collaborative between Memphis City Schools and the Tennessee Board of Regents, is an urban public high school located on Southwest Tennessee Community College Union Avenue campus. The school, located two miles from downtown Memphis opened in 1987. For sixteen years Middle College High School at Southwest Tennessee Community College has been a part of the National Middle College Consortium that includes more than 25 school-college partnerships. The main goals of all Middle College High Schools are to motivate students to improve their academic performance and self-concept, to enhance their college and career options, and to increase graduation rates.

Middle College High School at Southwest Tennessee opened with an initial enrollment of 100 sophomores, compared to approximately 234 freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors enrolled today. Middle College consists of a main office in the E-building, Room 137; the attendance office in the M-building, Room 118; and 13 dedicated rooms located throughout the campus. The class schedule for Middle College students was revised to coincide with the college schedule. Middle College High School students regularly attend classes for 180 days from 7:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Additional time on task is available to students who do not master objectives within the allotted time through an extension of the school day for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays or by attending Saturday Academy from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon for remediation or enrichment. Middle College High School’s summer session allows students to attend school an additional 20 days to make up work or for remediation.

 

EXCEL/EARLY COLLEGE


Middle College is embarking on new and exciting opportunities for our students. With the help of grant funds from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation, W. W. Kellogg Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, an accelerated high school-college program allowing students the opportunity to take college courses from Southwest Tennessee Community College while in high school has been initiated. Approximately 40 - 50% of our students annually enroll in classes through the dual enrollment program to get a “head start” earning college credits. It is expected that more students will enroll in and earn substantial college credits prior to graduation from high school

Under the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Middle College was granted its initial accreditation in 1987. Currently seventy-two percent of teachers and administrators have advanced degrees, which include 1 educational specialist, 5 masters +45, and 7 masters. There have been relatively few changes in these statistics over the past three years. Middle College High School prides itself in having one of the lowest employee turnover rates in the district

ADOPTERS

Middle College High School has several dynamic partnerships including Federal Express, Auto Zone, First Tennessee Bank and Southwest Tennessee Community College. First Tennessee Bank allows release time for their executives to teach classes in banking, and sponsor Junior Achievement sessions. First Tennessee Bank also provides funding for instructional materials. Auto Zone offers academic incentives for students enrolled in marketing and business courses. In addition, our community and business partners such as FedEx also provide incentives for students who maintain a 95% or better attendance rate. FedEx Global Education Operation funded academic and cultural enrichment activities for Middle College students.