DEMC students share their experiences with the program
The Dexter Early Middle College (DEMC) program is designed to allow students to earn a Dexter High School diploma as well as either an associate's degree, up to sixty transferable college credits, or a completed Washtenaw Community College Certificate. Teachers, counselors, and administrators identify students who are good candidates for this program and invite them to informational meetings their sophomore year.
There are many benefits of being a DEMC student. Managing college courses while still in high school requires dedication; however, with this level of responsibility comes advantages that will help shape students’ character and better prepare them for the real world.
We’ve asked some current DEMC students to share a glimpse into their experience as a DEMC student.
ZANA CHRISTMAS, SENIOR
Zana attends WCC as a non-degree student. In addition, she also takes DHS classes and Computer-Aided Design classes at the South and Western Washtenaw Consortium (SWWC) at Saline High School. Zana has taken one WCC class per semester during her junior and senior years. She plans to transfer to the University of Michigan to major in architecture. “The architecture program at U-M is a very time-consuming four-year program,” says Zana, “so I am mainly knocking out some of my gen ed credits with heavier workloads [in the DEMC program].”
CATHERINE EVANS, SENIOR
Catherine attends WCC full-time to fulfill the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), which allows students to take classes at community college and then transfer to any participating four-year university in the state of Michigan. “This agreement is an amazing option for DEMC students,” says Catherine, “because any course under the MTA is guaranteed to transfer to participating colleges. There’s no confusion about a course’s eligibility to transfer.”
KATELYN SEELAND, JUNIOR
Katelyn is in her first semester of courses at WCC, working to earn transferring college credits. DEMC appealed to Katelyn because of the wider variety of courses available through WCC. “I’ve taken all of the DHS electives I was interested in during my freshman and sophomore years, and wanted classes that related more to my potential career path (health care),” says Katelyn. Her first semester schedule consists of three WCC classes on A days and four DHS classes on B days.
Q. How did you become interested in the DEMC program?
Catherine: I was attracted to the idea of earning free college credit; tuition, books, and even transportation are accounted for under this program. At the beginning of my sophomore year, I thought I should take AP classes if I wanted to earn college credit. However, a student only earns college credit if they pass the AP test, which they have to pay for. In contrast, the DEMC program allows students to earn college credit for free, as long as they pass the WCC class.
I also jumped at the opportunity to join DEMC because I’ve never enjoyed high school. I don’t dislike Dexter, it’s an amazing school district, but high school isn’t for me. DEMC gives me the flexibility and independence that I craved. I can choose which classes to take and when to take them.
Katelyn: I enjoyed my classes at DHS, but was looking for something that would be more challenging and help me achieve my future goals while earning college credit. In addition to college-level English and Speech courses, I am taking a health care exploration class this semester. Because I’m interested in the health sciences field, I am also considering SWWC for next year.
Q. Describe the interview process for acceptance to DEMC.
Zana: When you first apply for the program, you write a fifty-word summary about why you want to join the program, and provide a couple of references. Then, you interview with Ms. Holland, Ms. Ehinger, and Mr. Donoghue. Most of the questions they ask include your strengths and weaknesses as a student, your goals for being in the program, etc.
Katelyn: In addition to the application and interview, students need two letters of recommendation. Later in the process, you take the Accuplacer test, which gauges student readiness for college-level courses and identifies areas where additional support is needed.
Q. How do WCC classes compare with DHS classes?
Catherine: Balancing both was difficult at first, for I had to make sure that my schedule didn’t overlap. A rule of thumb I found helpful was to either schedule DHS classes in the morning and WCC classes in the afternoon, or vice versa. This year, I am only taking WCC classes.
In terms of content, WCC classes are more intense, but you don’t take as many at a time. For example, students at DHS typically take eight classes. Students who attend WCC full time only take four classes at most.
Zana: So far, all of my WCC classes have been online, which has made my schedule a lot easier to manage. The workload depends on the class and the teacher, but WCC classes are much more consistent, especially with deadlines. All of my classes have a set of assignments due once or twice each week.
Q. Describe what you do at cohort meetings. How often do you meet?
Zana: Ms. Ehinger usually tries to meet with DEMC students about once a month in the DHS media center during lunch. She also offers a separate day to meet with students on the WCC campus and possible times for virtual meetings. She checks in with students about their grades and how they’re doing in their classes. She especially prioritizes these meetings when students are preparing for class registration each semester.
Catherine: Cohort meetings are simply laid back conversations with Ms. Ehinger about how a student’s school life is going. She offers no harsh judgment, and is happy to work through any problems students have.
Q. How often do you meet with your success coach and what do you discuss?
Catherine: Ms. Ehinger is amazing! She meets with students every month for cohort meetings, but is also available to discuss scheduling options, which classes would be best to take, and any other questions or concerns students may have. Students also submit grade reports to her each week.
Q. What are DEMC service hours?
Catherine: DEMC students are required to complete service hours in order to graduate. The program wants students to have experience with various types of service, so they can’t get all of their hours from only one source. They have to complete hours from at least two different companies or organizations.
Katelyn: Luckily, the service hours I complete as a member of NHS can also be counted toward my DEMC service hour requirement.
Q. As a DEMC student, do you still participate in DHS extracurricular activities?
Katelyn: Yes, I play softball at DHS, and am a member of the National Honor Society.
Zana: I am a member of the DHS marching band, and my classes at WCC have never interfered with that.
Q. How involved are you in student life at WCC?
Catherine: As of this fall I’m not involved in extracurricular activities at WCC, but I hope to start a job at the Writing Center in January. It’s a paid job open to any student who successfully completes Composition I, and an amazing addition to any student’s resume.
There are also many more clubs and activities to join at WCC. They offer most sports that DHS offers, like basketball, soccer, cross country, and more. They also host many other clubs and events, some of which include Women in STEM, the Creative Writing Club, and career fairs.
Q. Do you feel more like a DHS student or a WCC student, or is it a combination of both?
Zana: In addition to my DHS and WCC classes, I am also enrolled in a class at Saline High School through the SWWC program. Overall, I think I consider myself a DHS student above the rest, as it’s where I spend the most time, but really, it’s a combination of all three.
Catherine: I definitely feel like a WCC student, but not because DEMC students can’t be involved at DHS. I chose to only attend WCC, but I know other students in the program who are part of the marching band and drama club at DHS. This point leads me to what I love most about DEMC: students will be supported no matter what path they choose.
Dexter Early Middle College will provide support to ensure high school students thrive. This support includes tutoring, counseling and guidance from a district coach and DEMC teachers who want students to succeed in both their high school and college coursework. There is no cost to students or their families to become a DEMC student. Tuition, fees, and textbook costs are paid for by Dexter Early Middle College.
What will my schedule look like?
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For more information about DEMC, contact:
- Abby Holland, Head of School for DEMC hollanda@dexterschools.org
- Erica Ehinger, DEMC Success Coach ehingere@dexterschools.org
- Your DHS counselor
- Dexter Early Middle College
- Learning Pathways
- curriculum