When Albert Lombard talks about the benefits of the Early Middle College program, he isn’t just speaking as Fennville High School principal but as a parent.
His daughter, Hannah, is one of the students benefiting from the program, joining other students across Allegan County who are getting a head start on their college education.
He says the program provides a significant advantage not just academically but also in helping families ensure their children are well-supported as they transition toward higher education.
“It’s a no-brainer to me. I was so impressed by the program that I talked to my daughter about it, and she agreed to join,” says Lombard. “She knew it would be hard work, but she’s prioritized her schoolwork and organized her life around it. It’s been a positive experience for her socially and academically, especially getting to meet other motivated kids from schools across the county.”
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Courtesy Fennville High SchoolEarly College Allegan Countyt students.
Eliminating financial burden
The Early Middle College program, a partnership between the Allegan Area Educational Service Agency (Allegan Area ESA) and Lake Michigan College, provides high school students the opportunity to earn both high school and college credits tuition-free.
The three-year program begins in students’ junior year, allowing them to complete up to 61 college credits, saving two years of tuition and easing the financial strain of higher education.
Each district in Allegan County participates, and students apply during their sophomore year through a selection process that includes an interview to assess readiness and commitment. The program gives students real college-level coursework while maintaining a support network that helps them succeed.
“Students have a lot of support systems in place,” Lombard says. “If you leave high school and go straight to college, there are some supports, but through Early College, we’re able to support kids more closely. They’re not left alone — they have accountability every step of the way. The program’s team is there, training them in study habits, doing orientations, and just making sure they have the skills to be successful. It’s a lot more intentional than the traditional college experience.”
School counselor Tara Coffindaffer also has seen the impact of the program firsthand.
Her son, Tyler, is in his third year, completing his associate degree in arts while preparing to transfer to a four-year university.
Guiding students through unfamiliar waters
For first-generation college students, the Early Middle College program can be especially impactful.
“For families that are attempting to navigate the college process for the time, this program could be transformative,” Coffindaffer says. “There’s a safety net with someone there to intervene if students miss assignments or need extra help.”
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Courtesy Fennville High SchoolEarly College Allegan County students.
The program addresses other barriers that particularly affect Allegan County’s rural communities. For example, transportation is a significant obstacle to accessing college for many families. With free transportation provided between Fennville High School and Lake Michigan College’s satellite office at the Allegan Area ESA Tech Center during the final year, students can complete college coursework without the stress of arranging long commutes.
“Not every family has a car for a 16-year-old,” Lombard says. “Some families struggle just to maintain the family car, let alone provide one for a teenager. This program addresses all those challenges, allowing students to eat school lunch, have free transportation, and even get their books without any cost.”
Even with the program's demands, Lombard says his daughter is still able to balance extracurricular activities, participating in the school band and student council and joining a dance team outside of school.
“The program gives her the flexibility to keep doing the things she loves while earning college credits,” Lombard says.
Offering guidance
Now in its tenth year, Early Middle College continues to draw strong interest as families recognize its value in preparing students for the next step, whether it’s a four-year college or the workforce.
Coffindaffer attributes the program’s appeal to the support it provides.
“Things change, and we’re careful to ensure the program still benefits the students, meeting their needs individually,” she says. “The biggest benefit of the program is the support students get while starting college. It’s a fantastic opportunity to start slow with a lot of guidance.”
This year, the program has taken a new step, with some third-year students now living on campus at Lake Michigan College while still receiving the structured support of the Early Middle College program.
“It’s a big step,” Coffindaffer says. “For the first time, students are getting a taste of independent college life, while still having that safety net in place.”
And that is what sets the program apart from other tuition-free programs, she says.
“With so many free community college options now, the support provided might be the program’s biggest draw,” she says. “This program offers students support from the start of college all the way through to applying for a four-year university.”
Lombard believes that the Early Middle College program is a model that other districts should consider adopting.
“This program is a game-changer,” he says. “These students are ahead of the curve, and they’ve been given a foundation that will serve them well in whatever they choose to pursue next. Everyone should be doing this across the state, in my opinion.”