The Branch County Early College Program is a unique opportunity that will allow your child the opportunity to graduate with a high school diploma, transferable college credits, an associate degree, a technical certificate, or any combination of these. Your local High School works in collaboration with Kellogg Community College, and when applicable, the Branch Area Career Center, to provide your child with this educational opportunity.

All Sophomore students are eligible to apply to the Branch County Early College Program. Students who are accepted into the program will have a bonus year of high school where they will be attending KCC classes to meet their educational goals. The advantage of participating in this program is two-fold. First, the student is able to be a full time college student, but your local high school will cover most all the cost of classes and books . Secondly, the student has the added support of both high school and college staff to help guide the student through the first year of full time college classes helping to ensure a successful transition to full time college life.

To be accepted into the program students must complete the application and earn a qualifying score on the Accuplacer test. Once a student is accepted into the program, students and parents will have an interview with the Branch County Early College team to ensure that this program is a good fit.

Application Process:

1. Attend an informational meeting; most will be an online meeting. Details will be provided by your local high school.. Applications will be available for the student in your high school counseling office.

2. Apply online to KCC (directions will be provided when your student turns in their paper BCEC application).

3. All Sophomores will take the Accuplacer test, scheduled individually with the Grahl Center KCC Campus in Coldwater. Some students PSAT scores will be high enough that they don't need to take the Accuplacer; their counselor will submit those PSAT scores to KCC.

4. Branch County Early College application packets are due to your High School Office on April 14, 2021.

5. Based on Accuplacer scores and applications, students and parents will attend planning meetings that will be scheduled with you, Mrs. Searls, and your high school counselor if they are available.

6. If a student decides to enroll in the Branch County Early College, mandatory activities will be FYS 101 (offered usually in the summer), and an orientation session to obtain your KCC ID (usually in August).

We believe our Early College is an exceptional opportunity for our students and we look forward to sharing this Program with you. There will be online information meetings beginning in February where you can learn more about this opportunity and decide if this program is something that fits your educational goals.

Please contact Jennifer Searls if you have any questions about this opportunity.

Call: 269-420-7739; Email Jennifer Searls