AN ON-CAMPUS, DUAL-DEGREE ACADEMIC PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH IN FOSTER CARE
Middle College at Fairmont State University provides youth in foster care* with safety, stability, and well-being so that they can reach their academic potential.
What is Middle College? Middle College: An Overview Who is Eligible?FAQsBenefits of Attending Middle College How to Apply for Middle College Give to Middle College
Middle College at Fairmont State University is a specialized, on-campus, academic program created for West Virginia youth in foster care. If you or someone you know is 16 years old or older and prepared to embark on a life-changing academic journey, we invite you to explore Middle College at Fairmont State. Middle colleges are common in American education and are pathways for high school students to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and an associate degree (or college credit toward a bachelor’s degree). Middle College at Fairmont State is unique in that it solely serves youth in foster care.
The curriculum follows West Virginia's requirements, which require a minimum of 22 credits for high school graduation. This includes credits in the areas of English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Health, and the Arts, along with electives.
Through Fairmont State’s Middle College, students have access to highly qualified instructors for courses that not only meet the state requirements for high school graduation, but also earn college credit at Fairmont State University.
Young people in foster care regularly face enormous amounts of transition and trauma which pose threats to their overall health and wellbeing. In addition to the instability caused by frequent changes in living situations, youth who have experienced foster care are also likely to have been affected by death, abandonment, abuse, neglect, mental and emotional disorders, illness, substance use/abuse, food and housing insecurity, and other damaging and destabilizing experiences.
To equip youth with the skills they need to cope with past experiences, Fairmont State University has partnered with KVC West Virginia, a leading trauma-informed foster care agency and mental health treatment provider. KVC provides 24/7 on-campus support through a dedicated team of residence hall staff, case managers, therapists, and specialized supervisory staff, ensuring the safety, permanence, and well-being of participating students. KVC also advocates for students' academic and therapeutic needs, facilitating comprehensive educational and therapeutic planning.
What is college life like at Fairmont State? Pretty great, actually. Middle College provides a college experience for high-school age students, and participants experience many of the same amenities and the same vibrant campus life atmosphere that our college-age population enjoys.
If you or your student are looking for an academic challenge, a chance to build lifelong friendships, and the opportunity to explore independence, then the answer is “Yes!”
Middle College is not a high school on a college campus. It is an opportunity for youth to participate in college classes and campus life while earning an associate degree and a high school diploma at the same time.
Middle College is not a transitional living program. It is an opportunity for youth to build strong bonds with their fellow students and receive a unique education specifically tailored to set them on a path to a successful life and career.
To participate in Middle College at Fairmont State University, a student must:
If you want to learn more about Middle College, or if you know a student who is ready to take on the challenges of Middle College AND has the potential to benefit from this unique program, please fill out the form. You must be 18+ to fill out this form. If you're a student under 18, have your parent, caregiver or other supportive adult fill this form out for you.
middlecollege@fairmontstate.edu
1201 Locust Avenue
Fairmont, WV 26554
