How do colleges view students from Middle Colleges compared to students from traditional high schools?

Colleges view Middle College students favorably because they have proven that they can be successful in college courses, and therefore are more likely to succeed at their institutions and to graduate on time.

Do Middle College students apply to college as a freshman or a transfer student?

Most colleges encourage Middle College students to apply as freshmen and consider transfer students to be students who have taken college classes after graduating from high school. Within the UNC system, Middle College students who complete an associate’s degree before transferring are given the option of being evaluated as a transfer student or as a freshman. The main advantage our students see to applying as a transfer student is that they don’t need to submit SAT or ACT scores for admissions. Other differences include availability of housing, merit-based scholarship eligibility, and orientation and campus programming offerings.

Do Middle College students need to complete the CMS graduation project?

Yes! This is a CMS requirement that all students must complete.

Can a Middle College student enroll in any associate’s degree at CPCC?

CPCC enrolls all Middle College students into the Associate in Arts degree, but they can then choose to change to another degree. Some programs, such as cosmetology and allied health programs, have an additional admissions process that a student must go through to be accepted, and some have minimum age requirements and/or require that all high school courses be completed before a student can be accepted. Middle College students can apply to any program, but might not start selecting programs until Grade 13.

Is Grade 13 required?

Grade 13 is an optional year for students who may need it to complete an Associate's Degree. 

What are the degree programs offered at each CPCC campus?

The Cato Campus is home to the Professional Careers Division, which includes our ASL Interpreter Education, Paralegal, Horticulture Technology, and Office Administration (on Central Campus) programs.

The Harper Campus responds to the educational and workforce training needs of Mecklenburg County’s residents and business community through a variety of job training programs.

The Levine Campus offers Business, International and General Studies programs. Our full-service campus also provides college preparatory, GED and college transfer classes, as well as Corporate and Continuing Education classes.

The Merancas Campus is home to the Public Safety and Transportation System Technologies programs. Our programs provide entry-level to advanced educational options.

What type of high school courses will be offered?

MCHS’s rigorous courses consist of English III, English IV, Science and Math.

Can students participate in sports and extracurricular activities?

MCHS students are allowed to participate in athletics at their previous home school. Students will work with the high school counselor to design a schedule that fits the student’s academic and athletic needs.

Students also participate in various CMS district-sponsored activities, such as the Mayor’s Youth Employment Program and Charlotte Career Discovery Day. Students will also have the opportunity to join National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honor Society), Yearbook Club, Prom Committee, and Chick Fil-A Leader Academy to name a few. As college students, MCHS students can participate in CPCC’s numerous clubs and extracurricular activities.

• • Must have an unweighted GPA of 2.5 or higher OR submit a letter of recommendation from a member of the faculty of the student's current high school.
  • Must be a rising 11th or 12th grader and a resident of Mecklenburg County.
  • Incoming 11th grade students will have completed the following courses: NC Math I (Algebra I), NC Math II (Geometry), English I, English II, Biology, World History, Civics and Economics and Health/PE.
  • Incoming 12th grade students will have completed the following: 10th grade requirements listed above and English III.

My student was NOT accepted. Can I appeal this decision?

No. All decisions are FINAL and THERE IS NO APPEALS PROCESS. Keep in mind when applying that many students who are not accepted are very qualified candidates, and as much as we would love to be able to accept everyone who applies, we cannot. We receive hundreds of well-qualified applications for a very limited number of spaces. However, we will retain all qualified applications in the event spaces open up. If a student who has been accepted chooses not to attend, fails to accept their offer of admittance, or fails to show at the start of school, their space may be offered to another qualified candidate who may have originally been denied.

What is a Middle College High School?

Middle College High Schools (MCHS) are a cooperative, innovative high school located on the Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC) campus which provides the opportunity for students to earn a high school diploma and start college early while gaining credits towards a certificate or associate’s degree.

How is the middle college different from traditional high school?

Classes are smaller with each student receiving a graduation plan specific to their individual needs, coupled with flexible scheduling. Students earn college credits that may be applied towards a certificate or degree.

What type of student is a good candidate for the Middle College HS?

There is no set "type" of student at any of the schools. Students at MCHS tend to be highly self-motivated, mature, independent, responsible, hard-working students, with a desire to be an active participant in their education. Our students are generally looking for a more challenging high school experience than they would get at a traditional high school.

When does school start and what about the calendar?

Classes begin earlier than traditional high schools in the district. The first day of classes for all of the schools is Thursday, August 8, 2019. There will be a REQUIRED orientation for all students a few days prior to the start of classes. ALL students are REQUIRED to attend the orientation. CPCC classes will begin Thursday, August 15, 2019. High school classes typically end mid-May.

What are the costs and what are the school hours?

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools pays for college tuition, books and fees during the academic school year, EXCEPT during the summer when students are required to pay CPCC fees (not tuition or books). Students will be financially responsible for any CPCC books not returned at the end of each semester. The school hours are 11:20 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. 

Do I attend my home school as well?

No. Once you are selected, the MCHS is your new home school and all courses are taken at that middle college high school and at CPCC.

Are middle college high school students in CPCC classes with college students?

Yes, middle college students are not labeled or identified for professors. High school students are in classes with other CPCC students.

Can students leave campus?

Yes, students are treated like any other college student and are free to come and go. However, they are expected to be in class on time and make responsible decisions. Students should not abuse the privilege of attending school on a college campus.