Montgomery College-Montgomery County Public Schools Partnership

Montgomery College-Montgomery County Public Schools Partnership image Montgomery College (MC) and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) have a long-standing partnership that ensures that all MCPS students have the necessary knowledge and skills to be successful in realizing their college/career aspirations upon graduation.

The MC-MCPS Partnership has made it a priority to work together regularly and effectively. By sharing resources and establishing goals, MC-MCPS has been changing the lives of students in Montgomery County.

Boundaries between secondary and post secondary curricula and instructional objectives have started to dissolve into a continuum of effort and progress that serves students before all else. Both Montgomery College and Montgomery County Public Schools are committed to the success of this partnership.

The MC-MCPS Partnership coordinates a variety of projects that serve the academic needs of students. The following projects reflect the scope of the Partnership's work.

College Institute

About

The College Institute is an innovative partnership between Montgomery College and Montgomery County Public Schools. The Institute provides an opportunity for identified high achieving seniors at John F. Kennedy, Gaithersburg, Seneca Valley, and Wootton high schools to earn college credits on a high school campus during a regular school day. The Montgomery College courses enhance and supplement advanced placement classes offered at the high schools.

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Gateway to College© Program

About

The Gateway to College© program at Montgomery College serves at-risk youth, 16 to 20 years old, who have stopped attending Montgomery County public high schools and for whom high school completion is at risk. The program gives students the opportunity to earn a high school diploma while transitioning to a college campus. Students may simultaneously accumulate high school and college credits, earning their high school diploma while progressing toward an associate degree or certificate.

More Information

  • Gateway to College Program (on the Montgomery College Web site)
  • Amy Crowley, Director of the Gateway to College Program: 310-610-4045

Growing Teachers Program

About

Montgomery College provides college-ready high school seniors who are planning a career in education the opportunity to register for up to 8 college credits in education during their senior year in high school. Students may begin either Fall or Spring Semester. Programs are currently available in elementary education/special education, early childhood education, and in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Spanish at the secondary level. You may complete an Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T.) degree at MC in a fully transferable program. You may be able to graduate as much as a full semester early and transfer to a teacher education program at a Maryland College or any Maryland four year college/university to complete your bachelor’s degree and teaching licensure.

Additionally, Montgomery College offers several programs for other groups of individuals who wish to become teachers. Currently MC has the following four programs:

A. The 90-hour certificate, which enables individuals to become senior staff in licensed child care centers.
B. A 30 semester-credit Certificate in Early Childhood Education, which can be earned by going fulltime (15 credits per semester) for two semesters.
C. An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Early Childhood Education, which qualifies individuals to be directors of child care centers.
D. An Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) degree. By successfully completing the required courses in each of these concentrations and fulfilling all program requirements, students can transfer all MC credits to the partner four-year teacher education program.

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Maryland Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA)

About

The MC-MCPS Partnership sponsors a MESA program at John F. Kennedy High School and at Eastern, Francis Scott Key, Newport Mill, and Parkland middle schools. Maryland MESA is a structured K-12 pre-college program designed to prepare students for academic and professional careers in mathematics, engineering, science, and technology. The program's goals are to (1) increase the number of engineers, scientists, mathematicians, and related professionals at technical and management levels, and (2) serve as a driving force in encouraging and assisting minorities and females in achieving success in these fields.

More Information

  • Lisa Carvallo, Maryland MESA Regional Coordinator for Montgomery County: 301-610-4141
  • Charla Levine, Maryland MESA Regional Coordinator for Montgomery County: 301-294-0261

Tech Prep

About

Tech Prep is a national program designed to provide students with the skills necessary to compete in today's technological world. Beginning in high school, Tech Prep students enroll in selected, career-focused programs that provide college credit when they attend Montgomery College. This allows students to get a head start on their college education. Tech Prep programs enable students to gain hands-on experience, providing them with the knowledge to make informed decisions about career choices.

Students graduating from high school with a career development program completer (CDP) may earn college credit for articulated courses by enrolling at Montgomery College. Articulation agreements exist in all career development pathways. Earned credits may be used toward an associate degree at Montgomery College leading to certification and employment. For more information regarding the MC certification programs contact your school counselor.

More Information

  • Tech Prep (on the Montgomery College Web site)
  • Lesley Robinson, Tech Prep Coordinator, Division of Career and Technology Education: 301-279-3257
  • Lisa Carvallo, Assistant Director of Academic Initiatives for Montgomery College: 301-610-4141

Symphony Orchestra Partnership Program

About

The Symphony Orchestra Partnership Program gives talented MCPS high school instrumental music students the opportunity to participate in the MC Symphony Orchestra and empowers them to be service leaders in their communities.

More Information

  • Contact your school's instrumental music teacher
  • Dr. Wen Kurkle, Director of the Montgomery College Symphony Orchestra: 301-251-7550

More About the MC-MCPS Partnership

For further information about the projects of the MC-MCPS Partnership contact:

Charla Levine, Acting MCPS Coordinator of the MC/MCPS Partnership
Telephone: 301-294-0261
E-mail: Charla_Levine@mcpsmd.org
Elena Saenz, Montgomery College Director of Academic Initiatives
Telephone: 301-279-5150
E-mail: elena.saenz@montgomerycollege.edu

Updated October 12, 2006 Maintained by Webmaster