Great Path Academy Middle College High School Earns 2015 National Merit Award

Great Path Academy (GPA) at Manchester Community College – a middle college high school situated on the MCC main campus – has been recognized by Magnet Schools of America with a 2015 National Merit Award.

Magnet Schools of America is the national association for magnet and theme-based schools and its Merit Awards cover two categories: Magnet Schools of Excellence and Magnet Schools of Distinction. GPA was recognized in the Schools of Distinction category.

Honorees are recognized for their commitment to high academic standards, curriculum innovation, school diversity and integration, specialized teaching staffs, and parent and community engagement.

Among GPA’s successes were a 100 percent graduation rate last year with 100 percent of those graduates enrolling in college, either two or four year. CAPT science scores increased from 67.2 percent to 75.4 percent proficiency; CAPT science scores increased from 14.8 percent to 45.6 percent goal; NWEA MAP Mathematics scores increased from 41 percent to 56 percent proficient; and NWEA MAP Reading scores increased from 42 percent to 75 percent proficient.

In addition to its magnet school designation, GPA operates as a middle college high school, taking on the additional responsibility of bridging the gap between secondary and postsecondary instruction by supporting a seamless transition from a high school to a college education.  GPA students are fully immersed in the college community and experience academic life from the college perspective.  The high school not only shares physical space with the college but also follows its schedule and academic calendar.  MCC faculty members participate in shared teaching with GPA, and students can serve as interns in the professional offices across campus.

Eligible GPA students can also enroll simultaneously in MCC courses, including college-level introductory math, English composition, art and social sciences. These articulated courses are another opportunity for high school students to earn college credit while they are completing their high school education. Among GPA’s nearly 200 eligible students, a quarter of them take advantage of this opportunity and the number is increasing as the high school and college continue to work closely together.

“I’m extremely proud of the accomplishments that the GPA teachers, students and parents have achieved in such a short period of time,” GPA Principal Tory Niles-Outler said. “With such a strong partnership I look forward to our celebrating our continued success.”

Principals and representatives from each of the Merit Award winning schools will receive a plaque during an awards ceremony held at the 33rd National Conference on Magnet Schools in Raleigh, N.C., April 22 to 25.