U-M-Flint hosts new high school

Gov. Jennifer Granholm helped students cut the ribbon to officially open Genesee Early College, the state's first early college high school.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm and U-M-Flint Interim Chancellor Jack Kay hold a piece of the grand-opening ribbon for Genesee Early College. (Photo by Mel Serow, U-M-Flint)

The new high school alternative run by the Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) opened Sept. 4 in the William S. White Building on the campus of the U-M-Flint.

Late last year, Granholm and the Michigan Department of Education announced grants to create six new "Middle College" high schools in Michigan that will help students earn early college credits and prepare them for expanding employment opportunities in the health care field.

"We want to create a student for the 21st century," Granholm told the crowd. "Education is the way to transform our state's economy. We must be the education state."

The first class in the Genesee Early College consists of more than 45 students. In addition to obtaining high school diplomas, students can earn up to 60 college credits at the same time.

"We are proud to partner in hosting this unique and valuable program that advances the close ties of the University of Michigan-Flint to the community," said Interim Chancellor Jack Kay. "This experience will give high school students wonderful exposure to college life and allow them to benefit from the long list of opportunities offered by a major university."

Genesys Regional Medical Center and the Greater Flint Health Coalition will partner with the GISD and U-M-Flint to open the doors of the Genesee Early College. While most of the classes will be held at the university, students also will have class at Genesys.