Hinds CC - HCSD partner to open Early College Academy in Utica in the fall
- The Bolton News
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Special to The Bolton News
Hinds Community College and Hinds County School District (HCSD) have established an Early College Academy on the college's Utica campus that will provide high schoolers with a faster path to a postsecondary education and workforce readiness.
The academy will be in the former Hinds County Agricultural High School building, closed 12 years ago. Set to launch in the fall in the refurbished school, the academy will be open to juniors and seniors at Raymond High School and Terry High School, with room for up to 100 students. Hinds President Dr. Stephen Vacik and HCSD Superintendent Dr. Mitchell Shears formalized the partnership on Monday with a dual signing of a Memo of Understanding (MOU).
Dr. Vacik said the academy will help the high school students get a head start on college in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Students can obtain their high school diploma and an associate's degree at the same time, saving time and money.
"One of the things we're excited is the commitment to STEM education we've made on this campus. I'm looking forward to these students have the potential to move on to professions in medicine, research and technology and being the leaders for the future of Mississippi," Dr. Vacik told a full house at the Shirley Hopkins-Davis Auditorium on the Utica campus.
Dr. Shears knows the Hinds CC-Utica Campus well. He attended high school there and returned a decade ago as Dean of Academics before eventually becoming HCSD superintendent. He currently serves as a member of the Hinds CC Board of Trustees.
"We are very excited about this partnership because it opens access and opportunities for our students to earn up to an associate's degree while they are in high school," Dr. Shears said. "We are thrilled to allow our students to be a part of this innovation here at the college as well as the school district."
According to the agreement, a 9th grade cohort of 50 students will begin at the academy in Fall 2027 and 10th graders will be eligible to attend in Fall 2028. Students will take a full academic courseload with instruction from Hinds CC faculty. All students must meet admission requirements for dual enrollment students.
HCSD will pay regular Hinds CC tuition and fees for all participating students and provide transportation to and from the Utica Campus. Hinds CC will provide classroom facilities and support services for all enrolled students as well as office space and campus resources for the school's director and counselor.
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