Isabelle Plamondo

Staff Writer

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For many students, high school and college are separated by a clear milestone–-graduation. For students in NMC’s Early College program, however, that line becomes less defined. 

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They begin earning college credits while still enrolled in high school, often completing an associate degree by the end of a fifth year, often called a “13th year.” The opportunity can mean thousands of dollars saved and a significant academic head start. But it can also mean navigating a space that feels neither fully high school nor fully college.

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The concept behind Early College is rooted in access and acceleration. 

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“Early College was designed to give students–-especially those who may not see themselves as college-going–-an opportunity to get involved while they’re still in high school, and have it paid for by the school system,” said Lisa vonReichbauer, Director of Admissions at NMC. “The goal is to get students to and through college with little to no debt, ideally early, so they can enter the workforce or move toward a bachelor’s degree without waiting another year and incurring additional costs.”

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Participation in the program has grown steadily in recent years. In the fall of 2025, 544 local high school students were enrolled in dual enrollment or Early College programs–-a 13% increase from the previous year–-and accounted for nearly 16% of the college’s total enrollment.

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According to the winter 2025 institutional data, 341 of those students were enrolled specifically in the Early College pathway, highlighting how many students are pursuing the full 13th-year experience.

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VonReichbauer said, “As tuition prices rise nationally, the appeal of completing two years of college with minimal financial burden has become increasingly compelling.”

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For students pursuing career and technical education pathways, the program serves a slightly different but equally strategic purpose. 

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Ashley Darga, Early College Coordinator at Northwest Ed Career Tech, explained that Early College allows students to layer academic credentials onto technical training. “Early College gives them the opportunity to pair that with a college credential so they can be highly employable and command a higher wage when they finish,” Darga said.

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Students in the Early College program cite both financial and academic motivations for enrolling. 

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“I initially was drawn into the program because it gave me a chance to get ahead in my education earlier than my peers, but mainly the no-cost tuition as long as I continued with my good grades,” said Emily Kozlowski, an Early College student.

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Isabelle Porter said she joined because she “wanted to get a head start on college and challenge myself academically.”

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While the promise of acceleration is clear, the transition is not always seamless. Darga noted that “one of the biggest shifts is that students are much more individually responsible and accountable for keeping track of their workload.” She then added that “College expectations are different. Students have to pay close attention to the syllabus and manage their time independently.”

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Students echoed that sentiment. 

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“One of the most challenging parts has been learning how to manage my time and balance responsibilities,” Porter said. “I underestimated how much independence college classes require.” 

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Beyond academics, administrative complexity can also create friction. 

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Because Early College students are simultaneously connected to their high schools and NMC, enrollment approvals and billing often involve multiple institutions. “With every enrollment approval form, we’re working with schools to approve individual courses and determine what will be paid for,” vonReichbauer explained. “There are multiple layers of approval.”

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Differences in district funding policies can further shape student experiences. “If costs limit how many credits students can take in a semester, that can extend their time after graduation,” vonReichbauer said.

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NMC is currently transitioning to a new enrollment approval process, “with the intent of making it easier and less confusing for schools and improving the billing process on our end.” Even so, she acknowledged, “it is a complicated process for everybody involved.”

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That complexity can extend beyond paperwork and into identity. VonReichbauer described Early College students as occupying a transitional space. 

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Students expressed that feeling in different ways. “When I first started, I felt somewhere in between because I was still connected to my high school while trying to adjust to the expectations of college-level courses,” Porter said. 

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Age differences sometimes made connections difficult. 

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“When I was 16 there were a few classes I took where the next youngest person was 18–20,” said Jace Dunlap, another Early College student, “In situations like those it can be hard to make connections.”

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Course modality plays a role as well. “Course modality is a perennial challenge, especially since COVID,” vonReichbauer said. “For many students outside Traverse City, online coursework is often the most practical option. That may be one drawback, particularly for students who don’t have easy access to the campus for face-to-face classes.”

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“You really can’t replace the in-person experience,” she said. “In 12th grade and especially in the 13th year, I strongly encourage students to try one or two face-to-face classes.”

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Still, experiences vary. Some students report feeling more connected at NMC than they ever did in high school. “I feel like I identify more with being an NMC student,” Dunlap said. “The connections and friends I have made at NMC are more long-lasting and more relevant to my future.”

Administrators are careful to emphasize that Early College is not limited to one type of student. 

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“There’s a misconception that Early College is only for academically advanced students,” Darga said. “There are benefits for students across the spectrum.” The individualized structure allows students to move at different paces, whether that means completing an entire associate degree or taking only a class or two.

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VonReichbauer underscored the financial significance. “An associate degree is a degree,” she said. “This is a great way to avoid the pitfalls of significant student debt.” At the same time, she cautioned against oversimplifying it as simply “free college.” “We don’t want to just say ‘free college.’ There’s more that goes with it.”

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Ultimately, Early College offers both opportunity and responsibility. As Darga tells families considering it, “At that age, your job is to open as many doors as you can. You don’t have to close any yet.” For students willing to navigate its structure—and its ambiguity—the program can serve as a powerful bridge between high school and higher education.

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“It is a great opportunity to get grounded in college coursework, college success, and completion while you have resources from both your high school and the college,” vonReichbauer said.