Foundation gives grant to middle college

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – A unique program that allows some high school students to graduate with two years of college credit gets a financial boost.

The “Tupelo-Lee County Community Foundation” gave $2,500  to the “Middle College Program” during a brief ceremony Monday morning at Tupelo High School.

That program was announced last week and allows some juniors at THS to attend classes at ICC’s Tupelo campus for the majority of the school day, while taking classes at THS.

The “Middle College” initiative allows students to graduate with a high school diploma and a two-year associate degree.

“We are very fortunate to have an innovative leader that will look at different ways to help our children become educated, that’s our answer to getting better in Lee County, our answer to getting better in the state of Mississippi,” said Dr. C K White, Board Chairman.

“Middle College is a new conversation but we want to expand it, our goal is to meet the needs of industry as we create Northeast Mississippi’s workplace, with our students,” said TPSD Superintendent Dr. Rob Picout.

The first group of “Middle College” students start this week.

The program was implemented in Alaska by Dr. Picou when he was superintendent of a school district in that state.