Middle College and ANSEP Students

John Notestine interviews students from the Mat-Su Middle College School and ANSEP, the Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program. Both programs offer students dual credit for high school and college. In this episode, students talk about their experience and offer insight to prospective students on what to expect in these rigorous programs. 

Show Information

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Transcript

00:00:02:17 - 00:00:11:13
Speaker 1
Welcome to Education Matters, a podcast highlighting students, teachers and the great things happening in our schools and across the Mat-su Borough School District.

00:00:12:17 - 00:00:26:22
Speaker 1
I'm John Nielsen, public information officer with the Mat-su Borough School District, and I'm joined today by some incredible Mat-su Borough School District students from Mat-su Middle College, as well as our Ansett program. And I'm going to go ahead and let them introduce themselves.

00:00:27:05 - 00:00:33:02
Speaker 2
Hi, I'm Molly Athens. I'm from about the middle college program, and I'm a senior in high school.

00:00:33:04 - 00:00:39:03
Speaker 3
Hi, I'm Andrew Richardson. I am a senior and I attend Mass middle College, so.

00:00:39:05 - 00:00:46:01
Speaker 4
Hi, I'm William. I'm from also National Guard school and both Andrew I are you aviation program.

00:00:46:03 - 00:00:58:00
Speaker 5
Hi. I'm Cheyenne. I attend and up and I am a junior this year. Hi. I'm killing Betancourt, and I'm a junior, and I hate the Ansett program.

00:00:58:02 - 00:01:09:17
Speaker 1
Let's start out with Mat-su middle College. And feel free. Any of you answer this. Tell me a little bit about Mat-su Middle College. What is it and why did you guys make the choice to go to Mat-su Middle College?

00:01:09:19 - 00:01:36:20
Speaker 4
What's the range? So I guess, yeah, we, it's a really cool program because it allows you to experience almost a college environment, but you get to gradually get into it. So most of us probably started in our junior year. So we were able to you even have the junior transitions class, which actually helps you just create good studying habits to be able to, let's say teach about more in the dept resumes and then you're able to just really dive deep into really whatever subject you're looking for in college.

00:01:36:20 - 00:01:49:19
Speaker 4
So if you're already trying to get to a major, you can already go towards that. And if not, then you're able to just kind of play around and really learn different stuff. Like, I really enjoyed writing way more than I ever used to, but that happened through middle college.

00:01:49:21 - 00:02:08:03
Speaker 2
I go, I went to Glacier New School and Glacier new schools about 60 miles away from and Middle College. So it was a big step for me, as had joined the school. But I never really felt challenged in high school classes all the time. Pretty, I would say I'm very booksmart a lot of the time.

00:02:08:03 - 00:02:17:14
Speaker 2
So my mom actually was the one who found out about the program, and I was like, you need to be challenged. Or so she was like, we're going to put you in this program. I was like.

00:02:17:16 - 00:02:19:07
Speaker 5
Okay, well, I guess I.

00:02:19:07 - 00:02:39:13
Speaker 2
Had no expectations kind of going into it, but getting into it more, the staff, there are some of the best people I've ever met, the most well, communication I've ever had in a school, sense of community. Even though it's not like a lot of students in the school, you still get that sense in. If anything, it's almost better, too.

00:02:39:17 - 00:02:42:09
Speaker 2
And the professors are great, too.

00:02:42:13 - 00:02:45:19
Speaker 1
So. And we're. You still live in Glacier View? Yeah.

00:02:45:19 - 00:02:55:23
Speaker 2
I still literally like you. It was about an hour one way to get to school, and I go in almost every day for school. But it's worth it's worth it. I really.

00:02:56:01 - 00:03:14:08
Speaker 3
Yeah. Something I was kind of worried about going into college early was like the sense of community. And what I found at Mass Middle College was there was still a lot there was still a good student environment similar to a traditional high school. Or I even got like, I got to meet a lot of people who were on the same wavelength as me.

00:03:14:10 - 00:03:24:03
Speaker 3
I feel like I didn't really get that in traditional high school, and I also really appreciate the staff there. They've been super helpful, super kind, and yeah.

00:03:24:05 - 00:03:30:14
Speaker 1
Okay. And CEP, I'm guessing share some similarities, but it's a different program. Girls, tell me a little bit about answer.

00:03:31:05 - 00:03:56:04
Speaker 5
Yeah. And CEP is pretty similar with the college bill. It definitely was kind of scary for us when we first started. We like what they say. It was kind of scared of the environment that we fill and wasn't really sure how we'd really react to it. But as we got into it, we discovered that it's really more of a more than just a program to us, but kind of like another family.

00:03:56:06 - 00:04:22:17
Speaker 5
We grew very close to staff and got to meet a lot of new people. And support is not only here in the Mat-su, but it's also in Bethel, Kotzebue and acreage. So we got to meet a lot of new people and discover new things. We were introduced to a lot of new learning experiences and just it was a very good experience.

00:04:22:19 - 00:04:49:18
Speaker 5
I took. And they also, start as fractions. So they also have a middle school economy as well. And they also gave us many different opportunities like, help us engage with the other students. And it's really fun. I think that the staff are really supportive there. This is like probably the first school where, me, my sister had felt welcomed and pretty, we also we just really like it.

00:04:49:18 - 00:04:53:00
Speaker 5
And I think the academy is a really good one.

00:04:53:01 - 00:05:00:12
Speaker 1
Tell me about the college credit situation. Let's start with an SAP and SAP and middle college. I'd like to understand that word more.

00:05:00:14 - 00:05:22:23
Speaker 5
So, for ends up being a full time college student. So, we just just, like, on the classes. It's kind of usually through credits, and then you just take the class and you pass and you get the credits. But as UB also supports us, we have recitations where we study for one hour together with students taking the same courses.

00:05:23:01 - 00:05:39:23
Speaker 5
And it's really, it's really helpful when you're struggling because we, people or some people are freshmen and they don't have any, any experience with, these classes. So it's really supportive and you really get that support you need to pass these classes.

00:05:40:01 - 00:05:47:09
Speaker 1
At middle college are all the classes you're taking college classes or is it a combination or what are we looking at?

00:05:47:19 - 00:06:13:01
Speaker 3
It's a combination. So my junior year, they, require you to take some, they call it seminars, which is basically a study hall with a teacher. So we have two, teachers. You can say it. The middle college, an English professor or English teacher and a, math and science teacher. They are there to support you and provide you with materials that you need to be a successful college student.

00:06:13:12 - 00:06:30:14
Speaker 3
I they were really helpful when I did them. It really I don't think I could have been. I don't think I could have gotten as far as I did in my college classes without them starting, and now I feel like I am up like a lot more. I'm a better college student, right? Thought like with them.

00:06:30:16 - 00:06:46:22
Speaker 2
To kind of add on to that, for middle college, you have to take, some tests. You have to take an English and you have to take a math test. And if you do not pass one of them, yes, perhaps at least one of them to get into the program. But if you don't pass one of them, then you have to take a high school level class of either math or English.

00:06:46:23 - 00:07:05:23
Speaker 2
And those teachers do a really good job of, getting you to a level to where you can pass those tests and get you on that track to join those college programs and, getting you into the college classes, because with the college classes, you take the college class and you get dual credit, you get high school credit and college credit at the same time.

00:07:06:04 - 00:07:19:00
Speaker 2
So you're getting those free college credits, but you're also getting that half a credit or full credit of high school that you need. So you're getting both at the same time for free. And it's absolutely amazing.

00:07:19:02 - 00:07:35:16
Speaker 4
Yeah. And as an example for that, for accounting for both, like I actually received more high school credits than I would have received if I had stayed like I was. I was from colony. And looking back on my transcript, I actually was getting more credits by doing classes in college instead of a high school, and that's just for high school.

00:07:35:16 - 00:07:49:15
Speaker 4
But then in addition, I'm getting usually at least 2 to 3 college credits before class, just like any other college classes. So several of us will probably be leaving here with maybe one semester left to do require an associate's degree. Wow. That's.

00:07:49:15 - 00:08:07:04
Speaker 1
Yeah, that's pretty nice. And and saves you some money too, right? Yeah. People who are interested in the program, who would apply and what would they have to do? You already talked about some tests that they would have to pass, but who would this be open to? What grade level are we talking and what would they have to do to apply to middle college?

00:08:07:04 - 00:08:08:12
Speaker 1
What did you guys have to do?

00:08:08:14 - 00:08:37:22
Speaker 2
So like I said, you have the two tests and other. There was another option. If you couldn't pass round test, you could submit an essay. And have that evaluated by one of the teachers. And that was another way you could get into the program. It's open to, juniors and seniors. You can join any semester. So if you wanted to start this semester, it's kind of like, well, you could start like halfway through the school year, per se and join that program.

00:08:37:22 - 00:08:43:05
Speaker 2
Actually, this one, I'm one of my friends did, and they know more about the piloting program.

00:08:43:07 - 00:09:00:11
Speaker 4
Yeah. I mean, I'd say as far as people that you. But if someone's interested, I'd say as far as people that should be in the program, I think it's almost anyone. I'd say I say almost because there are some people, like people do, or maybe in the certain trade, like, I know I have friends that are into welding, and I don't know if middle college would have helped them or not.

00:09:00:11 - 00:09:24:22
Speaker 4
But those people, if they're going to like trade schools and stuff or they're already going to other stuff, maybe not. And then I also say not everyone, because this is a very high intensity. Like if you're going into college classes, you're going to work hard. So if you're not committed to and like, I have an incentive to do so there, it's not going to be very good for you if you're just going to end up slacking off and not doing very well in college classes.

00:09:25:00 - 00:09:48:14
Speaker 3
I'd say if, a student who is doesn't feel challenged in a traditional high school and is seeking it like a something better, middle college is a great fit. I was that way. Personally, I felt like I wasn't. Yeah, it wasn't being challenged academically, I wasn't I wasn't very motivated as a person. And then I got to middle college and it was a big step up from, high school.

00:09:48:14 - 00:09:57:16
Speaker 3
And I have thrived. And I feel like I am just a way better student. And, Yeah.

00:09:57:18 - 00:10:01:09
Speaker 1
And so who's an open to and who should be applying. And so.

00:10:01:14 - 00:10:21:01
Speaker 5
Yeah. So our program actually starts as a freshman. So if you're a or going to your freshman year you can start signing up as well. You can join midway as well too. But I say the Christmas like if you're if you can't come in and you like to procrastinate, shouldn't be really hard for you to keep up with the work because professors are really tough.

00:10:21:01 - 00:10:36:20
Speaker 5
Sometimes they have deadlines. So if you can't make it, you're going to fail and you just want you want to take these classes serious too. But I think it's really open to anybody. You just you are take you got to have the commitment. You can't take the test because you got to you got to be there. You got to show up for it.

00:10:36:20 - 00:11:03:02
Speaker 5
You know, you got to take these loopholes. Yea. And it's it's pretty similar for signing up. You have to take a writing exam and a math test. But we also have to have recommendation letters from your English and math previous to previous teachers as well as essay. But it's pretty easy if you it's a question. And yeah, it's also open to middle schoolers.

00:11:03:02 - 00:11:19:08
Speaker 5
We have a middle school program as well as after high school called the Summer Summer bridge. And it just is to help B guide after high school and kind of help have the open doors, more opportunities.

00:11:19:10 - 00:11:43:09
Speaker 4
And before we skip over it, the addition program, right now is, I believe, just a senior just for some in high school with far as I know. But it, essentially we had us apply for a scholarship in the summer or the semester beforehand, so that we could get in the program, I believe there was five of us, 4 or 5 of us that were in this year.

00:11:43:18 - 00:11:53:06
Speaker 4
So that's a huge opportunity, especially for saving money for students or trying to be pilots. Because that's a very expensive program that I wouldn't wanted to pay for right now.

00:11:53:08 - 00:11:56:06
Speaker 1
Yeah. What does that look like? What are you doing in the aviation program?

00:11:56:08 - 00:12:18:03
Speaker 4
So the first semester, last semester, if you don't already have your FAA, exam completed. So that would be your pro pilot knowledge exam. You don't have that completed. Then you'll go into ground school with them, which their current professor is an awesome guy. He's funny. And, that's always a good thing, right? But he does a great job doing around school.

00:12:18:03 - 00:12:28:02
Speaker 4
And so that's what I just went through. And it just took the knowledge test over here. And the great. So and then after that, right now Ender just started and he could probably talk better about that.

00:12:28:04 - 00:12:50:18
Speaker 3
Yeah. I, I just started my files since yesterday, and, the program, the flight program. So you, get put on a waitlist, and you see, sign up, you put on a waitlist, and eventually you'll get an instructor and a time block that you start flying. And so I think my time block is 3 p.m. to five, 515.

00:12:50:19 - 00:13:03:13
Speaker 3
And every day or three times a week, you fly. And if the weather's not good, you. But like a ground like session where you just spend time learning and, yeah, it's a really awesome program. My instructors great.

00:13:03:15 - 00:13:06:01
Speaker 1
First flight was yesterday. Yeah. Awesome.

00:13:06:03 - 00:13:10:23
Speaker 3
I my my program started yesterday. Okay. I haven't flown yet because the weather some pretty bad but.

00:13:11:01 - 00:13:13:00
Speaker 1
Gotcha. And you guys are in Anchorage.

00:13:13:06 - 00:13:15:08
Speaker 3
Yes.

00:13:15:10 - 00:13:25:23
Speaker 1
Cool. Let's, we're short on time. So are you down to the board meeting next? But let's do one more thing. I want to hear from each of you. We'll just go down the table, tell me your favorite class this year and why?

00:13:26:13 - 00:13:40:17
Speaker 2
So far, I would say my art classes are a lot of fun. I took, though, not knowing what was going to happen. And, honestly, you can learn a lot from art for practical knowledge and whatnot, but art class at this happened all the time.

00:13:40:19 - 00:13:53:21
Speaker 3
For me is definitely my private pilot ground school. The professor was just was just wonderful. He's so funny. And I learned a lot. And I scored really well on the private pilot, written exams and.

00:13:53:23 - 00:13:55:09
Speaker 4
I have to say, it was Andrew.

00:13:55:10 - 00:13:57:11
Speaker 1
That's what I was going on. New year added that interaction. Yeah.

00:13:57:11 - 00:14:02:00
Speaker 4
I've got some math that is really funny. And he does a really good job teaching. That was good calc, good pulse.

00:14:02:08 - 00:14:18:15
Speaker 5
And probably have to say history 101. It's mostly because of the professor. He really looks out for you. He gives you his refunds, he really likes to make jokes, and you just makes the class really fun. And he makes it really easy to like, he gives you a bunch of leeway, and he's pretty, chill on grading, too.

00:14:18:16 - 00:14:32:12
Speaker 5
He's really makes it really fun. I like it, mine has to probably be music. I like loud music. I even like to sing. And I played with a bunch of other instruments, so I enjoy that class.

00:14:32:14 - 00:14:46:09
Speaker 1
All right. Well, thank you, all of you, for, for joining me today and, sharing a little bit about middle college. And it ends up sound like two incredible programs. And, we'll get this out there and let people know about these programs. Thank you very much.

00:14:46:11 - 00:14:48:12
Speaker 5
Thank you. Thank you. Balance.