FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Washtenaw Technical Middle College will admit 24 students into a ninth grade pilot program for the 2012-2013 academic year. The new program is similar to the WTMC’s existing program, which features self-contained college preparatory classes separate from WCC’s regular student population. According to WTMC Dean Karl Covert, knowledge gained from 14 successful years with the WTMC program will help guide the development of the new curriculum.
 
The new ninth grade is expected to feature four main courses that emphasize environmental sustainability. An example might be the study of the mathematic, scientific, and social issues related to industrial waste sites often referred to as brown fields. The ninth graders will not attend WCC classes. Instead they will focus on college readiness skills to develop strong readers, writers, and critical thinkers. “Some students will benefit from being in both a ninth- and tenth-grade program,” said Covert. “Because we currently don’t have a ninth grade, some students, especially those who have been looking for a different high school experience, don’t know where to go before they can be admitted to the WTMC. This new program will allow for a smooth transition to the WTMC community.”
 
An information session will be held on Wednesday, June 6, from 6:00-7:30pm in the WCC Morris Lawrence building. Prospective parents and students can get information about the program at that time and submit their names for an admissions lottery. Preference for admissions will be given to siblings of current students and to Washtenaw County residents. For more information, contact the Washtenaw Technical Middle College at 734- 973 3410.