Virtual Middle College Program
Virtual Middle College application links, schedule, deadlines, and other information can be found HERE. The Virtual Middle College applicaiton for the 2024-2025 school year is now closed. Applicaitons for the 2025-2026 school year was open to 9th grade applicants in the fall of 2024, from October 8 to November 1. The deadline to apply to Virtual Middle College for the 2025-2026 school year has past. Students interested in participating in dual enrollment should see options available on the MCPS Dual Enrollment webpage HERE.
Virtual Middle College (VMC) is a joint MC and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) academic initiative that allows qualified MCPS high school students the opportunity to enroll at Montgomery College, taking college credit courses to earn their high school diploma, while also earning a college degree through an online/virtual college experience. Students from all MCPS high schools may participate in the Virtual Middle College Program, while still enrolled at their home MCPS high school. The college credits are earned through online MC courses. Students are supported through a progressive transition from a traditional high school experience to online/virtual college courses.
Students are provided with dedicated college-readiness support including preparation for required college course assessment and placement. Beginning in grade 9 students will participate in pre-college activities and workshops as they matriculate through a designated Virtual Middle College pathway towards the online Associate’s degree and high school diploma.
The Virtual Middle College offers students the opportunity to earn a degree in Business, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity, Information Sciences and Systems, Early Childhood Education Technology, General Studies (Social Science, Administration, and Health; Humanities, Art, Communication, and Languages; or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and Information Sciences and Systems.
More information on the degree pathways can be found HERE.
Qualifications
In order to participate in Virtual Middle College, students must be able to satisfy the following requirements:
- Enrolled in an MCPS high school as a current grade 9 student and on-track to complete and be enrolled in an MCPS high school at the end of grade 9.
- Complete the Virtual Middle College Interest form by the posted deadline.
- Complete the MC Admission Application by the posted deadline.
- Pass the science, mathematics, and English state assessments, when appropriate, but at least by the end of 10th grade.
- Have and maintain an unweighted 2.75 high school GPA or higher at the time of application, and maintain that GPA throughout their enrollment in the program.
Information on the application process, tuition, fees, and financial assistance can be found HERE.
Financial Information
Middle College (MC2 and Virtual Middle College)
- MC college courses approved at Montgomery College and required for High School graduation and/or Middle College degree attainment will be available for MCPS Middle College students at NO COST during the fall, winter, and spring MC semesters.
- All required costs related to college tuition, fees, required textbooks, and required instructional materials for each approved course at MC will be covered by MCPS and MC during the MC fall, winter, and spring semesters for Middle College students.
- Middle College students may enroll at MC during the summer at their own expense.
PTECH
- MC college courses approved at Montgomery College and required for High School graduation and/or PTECH degree attainment will be available for MCPS Early College students at NO COST during the fall, winter, spring, and summer MC semesters.
- All required costs related to college tuition, fees, required textbooks, and required instructional materials for each approved course at MC will be covered by MCPS and MC during the MC fall, winter, spring, and summer semesters for PTECH students.
Middle College Programs
Frequently Asked Questions for Middle College Program at Northwest and Northwood
The The Montgomery College Middle College (MC2) program at Northwest and Northwood high schools is a dual enrollment program that prepare students to earn a High School Diploma and college credits towards an Associate’s degree.
The deadline to apply to Middle College for the 2025-2026 school year has past. Students interested in participating in dual enrollment should see options available on the MCPS Dual Enrollment webpage HERE.
The college credits are earned through a combination of courses including Advanced Placement courses and corresponding test scores, CLEP examinations, and/or MC courses. Students are supported through a progressive transition from a traditional high school experience to a college-like experience on the high school campus, and finally to full college coursework and experience on the college campus.
During this transition, students are provided with dedicated college preparation including preparation for the college placement and admission assessments. Students will matriculate through a pathway towards the Associate’s degree beginning in grade 9. The link to the schools' contact and web page for additional information are below.
Northwest High School
Admission to this program is competitive. To be eligible for the program, students must be in Grade 8. A lottery is conducted for enrollment.
The deadline to apply to Middle College for the 2025-2026 school year has past. Students interested in participating in dual enrollment should see options available on the MCPS Dual Enrollment webpage HERE.
This program is open to current Grade 8 students who reside in one of the following high school clusters: Clarksburg, Damascus, Gaithersburg, Magruder, Northwest, Poolesville, Quince Orchard, Seneca Valley, or Watkins Mill. For students within the Northwest High School attendance area, there is no cap on the number of seats available. The interest form should be completed and will serve as an indication of program interest; it will be considered for pre-placement purposes only. For students who live outside of the Northwest High School attendance area, there are currently 32 seats available. If there are more requests than the 32 seats available, a lottery will be conducted.
Limited Transportation is available to students who reside within the Northwest attendance area outside the walking distance as deemed by MCPS Transportation. For more information about transportation provided for this program please refer to the MCPS Transportation Bus Routes page and click on the HIGH SCHOOLS tab HERE.
Northwest High School MC2 2018 Graduates
Northwest HS Engineering Pathway SAMPLE
General Studies at Northwest High School
Northwest HS General Studies Pathway SAMPLE
Northwood High School
Admission to this program is competitive. To be eligible for the program, students must be in Grade 8. A lottery is conducted for enrollment.
The deadline to apply to Middle College for the 2025-2026 school year has past. Students interested in participating in dual enrollment should see options available on the MCPS Dual Enrollment webpage HERE.
For more information about transportation provided for this program please refer to the MCPS Transportation Bus Routes page and click on the HIGH SCHOOLS tab HERE.
General Studies at Northwood High School
Northwood High School MC2 2018 Graduates
Northwood HS General Studies Pathway SAMPLE
P-TECH Middle College Program at Clarksburg High
Admission to this program is competitive. To be eligible for the program, students must be in Grade 8. A lottery is conducted for enrollment.
PTECH application links, schedule, deadlines, and other information can be found HERE. The PTECH applicaiton for the 2025-2026 school year is open to eligible MCPS 9th graders and is due no later than November 1, 2024.
The Middle College Program at Clarksburg High School focuses on Pathways to Network and Information Technology (P-TECH). Admission to this program is competitive. To be eligible for the program, students must be in Grade 8. A lottery is conducted for enrollment.
This program is open to students who reside in one of the following high school clusters Clarksburg, Seneca Valley, Damascus, or Watkins Mill. For more information, please see Cloud Computing and Network Technology at Clarksburg High School.
For more information about transportation provided for this program please refer to the MCPS Transportation Bus Routes page and click on the HIGH SCHOOLS tab HERE.