Written by David Beery

Some of District 214’s most vital work these days involves breaking down barriers to students’ post high school success and, in place of those hurdles, charting new opportunities and roads to productive futures.

You’ll see the priority that District 214 is placing on these efforts in everything from our growing network of work-based learning experiences to the 214 Education Foundation’s Next Generation Pathway to Completion, which is engaging students, families and alumni to provide broad-based and strategic college preparation support for select first-generation students from the District’s six high schools.

The newest example comes as District 214 prepares to launch our Middle College at National Louis University (NLU) Business Program. This program is designed exclusively for seniors committed to completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration at National Louis University following graduation from District 214.

The program, supported in part by a significant alumnus contribution to the District 214 Education Foundation, will give 25 seniors a best-of-both-worlds approach. They will divide their time between attending classes on NLU’s Wheeling campus in the morning three days a week and return to their school for lunch and afternoon classes. Students also will participate in a business internship 5 to 10 hours each week.

This is not District 214’s first foray into Middle College. A pilot program with Harper College gives students interested in health science careers an opportunity to begin taking college classes in high school. More specifically, seniors committed to eventually completing a healthcare program at Harper are able to take dual-credit classes in health science and general education at Harper while continuing their work in District 214.

The Middle College concept offers numerous advantages. For starters, the financial benefit is enormous. Students participating in 214’s National Louis University program will earn a full year of college credit by the end of their senior year, allowing them to complete their degree in just three years at National Louis - effectively cutting their family’s college costs by 25 percent. This also potentially puts them in the job market a year earlier than they would have arrived otherwise.

Middle College provides substantial benefits beyond the finances. Students are introduced to and can adapt to college-level work while still receiving the support of high school teachers and counselors and help on campus. This is an ideal environment for students to hone study skills, adjust to college life and develop other academic skills that bolster school and life success. Students have the opportunity to make these adjustments while living at home and receiving the support of their families. Moveover, this program encourages students to continue participating in and enjoying their last few months in high school: They will eat lunch in their District 214 school, take a physical education class and may continue to participate in cocurricular activities.

A cohort of up to 25 seniors will begin the program in August 2020, completing their degree at National Louis University in May 2024. Interested students should apply for the program here by February 1st.