MWCC College Catalog — Access and Transition Programs

Through the Division of Access and Transition, MWCC administers several College Access and Preparation Programs which provide middle and high school students, as well as adults, with an array of academic, college, and career awareness services including MCAS remediation, academic and career counseling, tutorials, workshops, and activities. Services are generally provided through targeted grant initiatives. In addition, MWCC hosts several annual events and activities designed for students and parents, which are open to the public. All programs are free of charge. For more information on any program call (978) 630-9248 or visit our website at http://capp.mwcc.edu.

ABE Transition to Community College

This program is a three year grant funded program through Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The program will leverage resources with the Division of Access and Transition in coordination with the MWCC and Clinton Adult Learning Centers to provide a one-year transition experience for 30 eligible former adult basic education graduates per year to transition to MWCC to pursue post secondary education.

Dual Enrollment: A Head Start on College

Whether in high school or home school programs, juniors and seniors (age 16 or older) can enroll in MWCC classes prior to high school graduation and take courses that may transfer to most two and four-year public and private institutions while completing their high school graduation requirements. Participants are considered MWCC students and enjoy all the same benefits. Students are encouraged to participate fully in college activities and programs, including the Honors Program, academic support services, and other co-curricular activities. Students may enroll at MWCC on either a part-or full-time basis. See page 11 for admissions requirements to the program. Students under age 16 must meet with the admissions director for consideration.

Educational Talent Search

This program is funded by the US Department of Education, serves 600 students in grades 6-12. Currently, the program services participants in the Gardner, Winchendon, Leominster, and Fitchburg school districts. Services offered include: academic counseling and advising, tutoring, career exploration, financial aid and scholarship information, college admissions assistance, leadership and enrichment activities. To participate, students must meet the eligibility criteria for these programs.

Gateway to College

Through this program, eligible students who have stepped out of traditional high school receive a true second chance to achieve educational success. Students ages 16-20 can enroll at MWCC to earn both high school and college credits towards a high school diploma and associate degree or certificate. This program is offered through a partnership with the Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District at MWCC’s Gardner Campus.

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs)

The program is funded by the US Department of Education and is administered by MWCC in partnership with Fitchburg Public Schools, the University of Massachusetts, the Cleghorn Neighborhood Center, the Boys and Girls Club of North Central Massachusetts, and the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority. GEAR UP offers college awareness activities, academic advising, tutoring, after-school enrichment and family support to its students. To be eligible to participate in GEAR UP, students must be in the class of 2011 or 2012 and enrolled in a participating Fitchburg public school. In addition, GEAR UP offers students at MWCC the opportunity to volunteer in one or more of these activities as service learning experiences.

Inclusive Concurrent Enrollment

An initiative funded by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; this grant is in partnership with the school districts of Fitchburg, Gardner, Ashburnham-Westminster, Mahar, Leominster and Nashoba regional. Its goal is to bring disabled high school students aged 18-22 to the Mount. Each fall eligible students will be recruited and will concurrently take courses at their high school and either credit or non-credit classes at MWCC.

MCAS Academic Pathways to Success

This program is a chance for current juniors and seniors or older students who have not yet passed the MCAS exam to prepare for college admissions while exploring other options available to them. The program offers the chance to enroll in a fall, winter or summer program designed to offer a unique and true to life academic college experience, allowing the student to focus on coursework that will be relevant to passing the MCAS exam and other college or career entrance requirements. Students will be offered the chance to travel to the November and March MCAS exam. Classes generally run in the evening at the Gardner Campus. Students will receive math and/or English classes, college seminars, text books, materials, meals and transportation assistance free of charge. MCAS Academic Pathways to Success is funded by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

MCAS Works!

This program is collaboration between MWCC and Fitchburg High School. The goal is to strengthen academic skills by providing meaningful work-based learning instruction and creatively reengage students in their education and provide them with an impetus to pursue graduation. Participating students will receive intensive, in-school small group instruction that addresses identified gaps in English Language Arts and mathematics. Additionally, career exploration activities including job shadowing, structured internship placements, community service learning projects, guest lecturers, and field trips are provided. Also, Student Success Seminars are offered such as career counseling, instruction on test taking skills, team building and leadership development. MCAS Works! is funded by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

MWCC Secondary Postsecondary Career/Vocational Technical Education Secondary Postsecondary Linkage Consortium

This initiative serves juniors and seniors from Fitchburg, Leominster and Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High Schools. The primary goals are to increase the number of articulated and dual enrollment credits students can earn prior to graduation; to decrease remediation when a student enters college; and to increase college enrollment of high school students. It is funded by the Massachusetts Dept. of Elementary & Secondary Education.

MWCC Student Success Center

Located at Fitchburg High School and Murdock Middle High School, our Student Success Centers are designed to provide all local residents with a place to access the latest in college admissions, financial aid and test preparation resources, while offering tutoring and academic support to students.

North Central Educational Opportunity Center (NCEOC)

The NCEOC assists adults who wish to continue their education beyond high school/GED. This program provides academic, career, and financial aid advising to eligible participants seeking to complete a high school equivalency program or enroll in postsecondary education. Priority for service is given to low-income adults (age 19 years and older) who may be the first in their families to attend college or complete a college degree. EOC participants may choose to continue their education in short-term vocational training, certificate programs, or two-or four-year degree programs. The NCEOC is funded by a TRIO grant from the US Department of Education.

One Stop Career Pathways for Youth

This program is a partnership between the North Central Career Center, the Workforce Investment Board and MWCC. It is designed to allow a resource specialist to be sited at the career center that will outreach to current seniors through students from the class of 2003 and re-engage them in planning and preparing for their futures. The resource specialist will provide students with options that address their unique academic, employment and career needs to attain the skills necessary to pass the MCAS in order to obtain the state required competency determination for high school graduation. One Stop Career Pathways for Youth is funded by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Project Excel

Funded by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, Project Excel is a Massachusetts Educational Opportunity Program, which provides early college awareness services to 60 targeted middle school students from Fitchburg and Leominster. Students receive ongoing basic skills instruction, tutoring, academic and college counseling along with assistance transitioning to high school.

Summer Programs

The Division of Access and Transition provides an educational and recreational summer program to over 800 students in the Fitchburg, Leominster, Gardner and Winchendon areas. Included in it’s summer programming are Summer UP, which provides employment opportunities for middle and high school students, as well as safe places to play for local children; MCAS Academy, providing MCAS instruction and recreational opportunities to students; CyberCamp, offering fun computer skill-building activities; KSAP, which offers a structured summer activity program for the children of MWCC faculty and staff; Math and Science UP!, providing hands-on science and engineering projects; and DesignCamp, a science and engineering program held at UMASS Lowell.

Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS)

A Federal TRIO program funded by the US Department of Education, the mission of UBMS is to assist 50 targeted high school students who have the desire to pursue postsecondary education programs that lead to careers in the fields of math and science. Currently, Upward Bound Math and Science services participants in the Gardner, Winchendon and Athol school districts. Students take part in an intensive after-school, Saturday, and summer academic program that exposes them to extensive preparation in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields while offering many college preparatory and exploratory activities. To participate, students must meet the eligibility criteria for these programs.

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