Early/Middle College Offers Fast Track to Degree

This spring, 19-year-old Trevor Watts will graduate high school while celebrating the completion of a tuition-free associate degree from Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Watts credits the college's Early/Middle College program for making this opportunity possible.

The Loy Norrix High School student was captain of the men's track team, homecoming king and part of the high school's Black Student Union. Watts also enjoys volleyball club and has had a robust high school experience full of other activities while balancing college classes at Kalamazoo Valley.

Through Kalamazoo Valley's Early/Middle College program, high school students can complete tuition-free college-level courses. Those enrolled attend a fifth year of high school and postpone graduation while they take classes at the college. Depending on their program of study and educational goals, students are eligible to earn a high school diploma and up to an associate degree upon completion.

"Early/Middle College helps me stand out and gives me a head start," Watts explained. "I have so many plans and aspirations for my life, and I really do feel like the program helps me get closer to those goals. I think more students should enroll, even if they don't know what degree they want. It was useful in helping me figure out what I wanted to do."

After graduation, Watts plans to transfer to the University of Michigan to pursue degrees in architecture and real estate, and hopes to take part in environmental architecture research and eventually enroll at Howard University for doctorate studies.

"Early/Middle College at Kalamazoo Valley continues to be a great conduit for high school students to discover, focus, experience and achieve at the collegiate level," said Kevin Lavender Jr., Kalamazoo Valley interim director of Early/Middle College. "It is a tremendous honor to serve in this role and collaboratively support the emerging generations of leaders and influencers."

Through the program, tuition and fees are paid by the local school district up to the state-allocated maximum. Students take courses at Kalamazoo Valley campuses but may also take Kalamazoo Valley courses at their high school (in certain school districts). There are currently more than 100 Early/ Middle College programs in Michigan.

The Gull Lake, Kalamazoo, Galesburg-Augusta, Parchment, Portage, Schoolcraft, Vicksburg and Climax-Scotts school districts, as well as the Van Buren Technology Center, participate in the college's program. More than 470 students are currently enrolled.

Students apply through their local district prior to applying to Kalamazoo Valley. To learn more about Early/Middle College at Kalamazoo Valley, email Lavender at or click here.