By Dan Nonte, University Relations
Contact: 336-334-4314
Posted 2-18-11
GREENSBORO, N.C. — As many as 50 ninth-graders will attend class on the UNCG campus in the fall through a new partnership between the university and Guilford County Schools. Focused on health and human sciences careers, this early/middle college will serve students who may be disengaged or who may struggle to adapt to the traditional high school setting.
To find out more about this new school and to discuss opportunities for collaboration, attend one of two upcoming forums – at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, and at noon Tuesday, March 1 – in Elliott University Center’s Kirkland Room. GCS Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green is planning to attend the Feb. 23 forum.
Tom Martinek, professor of kinesiology, will serve as UNCG’s liaison to the school. He’ll be speaking at the forums, but he’ll also be listening.
“We’re looking for partners to mentor these students and for innovative ways to introduce these students to health careers,” Martinek said. “We want to include all the different ways UNCG promotes health. Along with medical careers like nursing, we want to help these students learn more about counseling, gerontology, nutrition, therapeutic recreation and other opportunities in this rapidly growing field.”
The school will allow students to graduate with up to two years of transferrable college credit and to explore careers through a work-study program. It will admit up to 50 ninth-graders each year for a total enrollment of as many as 200. Staffing will grow from three full-time equivalent (FTE) teaching positions in the first year to 12 FTE teaching positions in the fourth year.
Funding for the school is expected to include federal dollars from the district’s Race to the Top grant and GCS Title I dropout prevention funds in addition to a donation from Businesses for Excellence in Education.
“Our experience shows that these schools work, and work well, for many students who may not have been successful in other settings,” Green said. “During tough budget times, it’s even more important to use proven ideas to expand educational opportunities for our students.”
The program at UNCG will be the eighth early/middle college in Guilford County. The others are located at Bennett College, Greensboro College, Guilford College, Guilford Technical Community College – where there are three – and N.C. A&T State University.
GCS will accept early/middle college applications Feb. 19-March 18 for the 2011-12 academic year. For more information, parents should contact the GCS Magnet Office at 336-378-8832.
