Allegan Area ESA is celebrating the 10th cohort of Early College Allegan County. The incoming 37 students from across Allegan County, representing the class of 2027, are beginning their college careers early, ready to embrace the challenge and embark on the next phase of their lives. Soon, they will join the ranks of over 200 Early College completers who have gone on to pursue a bachelor's degree or entered the workforce with the skills and confidence to succeed-all without any college debt.
(Pictured: Sadie Jacobs is a first-year Early College student)
Sadie Jacobs, a junior at Otsego High School is excited for the opportunity to experience college coursework earlier and feels prepared to take on this challenge because of the support available to all students in the program. “The online tools we use in high school are a lot different, attending Summer Boot Camp allowed me to be better prepared for the start of the semester,” Jacobs stated during a recent orientation at Lake Michigan College’s campus in Benton Harbor.
The Early College program offers motivated students a unique opportunity to extend high school by one year to earn both their diploma and an associate degree, with up to 61 credits from Lake Michigan College. The program provides purposeful support to help students achieve academic success and transition smoothly into higher education—all at zero cost to the student. Participants have the potential to graduate debt-free and begin their careers without the burden of student loans.
Early College Allegan County initially focused on specific fields of study but has since expanded its offerings due to the program’s popularity. The no-cost aspect has opened the door for many students in Allegan County to further their education and enhance their potential.
Superintendent William Brown highlights, "Our Early College Program exemplifies our commitment to providing quality education through strong, trusted community partnerships. We believe that every student deserves access to opportunities that lay the foundation for a rewarding life. By collaborating with our school districts and LMC, we ensure that education is at the heart of what we do, empowering all students to reach their full potential."
The partnership with LMC has flourished over the past ten years. Classes taught by LMC instructors are held locally at the Tech Center, making college education even more accessible to our students. In efforts to promote the Early College program, LMC has even added signage outside of the Tech Center campus.
In a first for the program's ten-year history, Renato Recillas, a current 13th-year student from Fennville, will be living on LMC’s campus this semester. Recillas completed his high school requirements in June, walked with his classmates at graduation, and wanted to experience true campus life. Although campus housing is not covered by Early College, the program still covers tuition, fees, and books.
(Renato Recillas is a 13th year student from Fennville)
“Thanks to the support I’ve received from the Early College staff and my parents, I feel confident that I will continue to succeed while taking classes on campus. Whenever I have an issue, I know I can reach out and find support,” said Recillas, a political science major who was undecided during his first year in the Early College program. “I had no idea what I wanted to study until I was encouraged to advocate for myself. I was given the freedom to write about what I wanted, and I was willing to try, which allowed me to reflect and work harder.”
(Evy House, Early College Dean provides instructions to students)
Evy Houser, the Early College Dean, is committed to making the entire process easy and accessible, starting with the application process and guiding students every step of the way through to completion. With the support of two Early College Coordinators, every student has a direct link to assistance and success. The program boasts a success rate greater than 85%.
Students who are interested in applying for next year's cohort, please contact evy.houser@alleganaesa.org for more information.