Interested parents and students are invited to attend the Middle College High School (MCHS) Preview Night on Tuesday, May 2^nd from 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Hamilton County Board of Education office located at 3074 Hickory Valley Road at Bonny Oaks Drive in Chattanooga. Middle College High is a collaboration between the Hamilton County Department of Education and Chattanooga State that gives students the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and college credit towards an associates degree at the same time. Chattanooga State instructors teach the majority of classes.

Students who live outside of Hamilton County, but within counties in Chattanooga State’s service area are eligible to attend MCHS. These counties include Bledsoe, Grundy, Marion, Rhea and Sequatchie.

Daniel Dawson, a sophomore from Dunlap, admits to being bored in high school, even in the gifted program. He was accepted at the McCallie School, but after the scholarship deadline. Fortunately, he and his parents, Lora and Greg Dawson, heard about Middle College High School at Chattanooga State. “I was ready for the challenge of college,” says Dawson who likes the maturity level of the student body. “I’m in school with people who want to be here. In high school, many of the people didn’t want to be there.” MCHS even gives Dawson the opportunity to play with the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga marching band.

MCHS acts as a bridge between high school and college for students who are mature enough to handle the freedom of a college environment. Students benefit from the Middle College High School experience, since it appeals to those who are dissatisfied with the typical high school environment and desire to explore learning in a different, more mature atmosphere. MCHS is up to the task because students are both intellectually and academically challenged.

In addition, MCHS is the only high school in the area with a 10 out of 10 rating on greatschools.com, a well-respected Web site where parents can rate a school’s performance or investigate a school’s rating. The ACT 2012 average composite score for MCHS students was 23.6. The statewide 2012 average composite for high school students was 19.7.

MCHS accepts rising sophomores, juniors and seniors who have an ACT score greater than or equal to 19. Their high school principal, a teacher, or a counselor must recommend applicants. Dual enrollment grants are available for 11^th and 12^th grade students. These grants are not need based.

More information regarding admission requirements and the application process for MCHS will be discussed during the information session.  Call (423) 697-4492 or logon www.chattanoogastate.edu/middle_college for further details.

Chattanooga State Community College is a comprehensive, regionally accredited community college, governed by the policies and guidelines as set forth by the Tennessee Board of Regents.  Chattanooga State’s mission is to transform the lives of individuals and to develop the capacities of the business and industrial communities through technical and postsecondary education.  Founded in 1965, the college serves a six-county area in Southeast Tennessee and offers more than 50 educational programs. You can become our friend on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ChattState, or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ChattStateCC.