Q. Do you have an age limit?
A. Yes, Gary Middle College accepts adult student at, or above, the age of 16. We follow the laws of the State of Indiana, which says that students can pursue their high school diploma, no matter what their age. We are an adult education center and we enroll students who want to complete their high school diploma and go on to college, career certification, or employment.
Q. Do you offer GED programs?
A. No, Gary Middle College does not offer GED programs. We are an adult education center and we enroll students who want to complete their Core-40 high school diploma and go on to college, career certification programs, or employment.
Q. What are the requirements to earn a high school diploma from Gary Middle College?
A. In order to earn a high school diploma at Gary Middle College, students must satisfy the following requirements:
- Complete the Core-40 Course credits
- Pass the Algebra and English ECA
- Complete a 3 credit college level course OR complete a state approved industry certification as outlined by the Indiana Department of Education.
Q. Do you have to live in Gary in order to attend Gary Middle College?
A. No you do not have to live in Gary. Gary Middle College is a public charter school and we can enroll any student who is a resident of the state of Indiana, provided they have a means of transportation to get to and from the school.
Q. How many credits does it take to graduate from Gary Middle College?
A. Students in Gary Middle College will graduate with a Core 40 High School Diploma, which means they will need 40 high school credits to graduate. If students have high school credits from a previous school, they may transfer those over to Gary Middle College and count them towards the credits required to graduate with a high school diploma. Through our partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, our students have the chance to take college credits. View all of the course offerings of Ivy Tech HERE.
Q. What tests will I be required to take?
A. Upon entry, all students are required to take the TABE test and the Accuplacer exam. The TABE test covers reading, language, and mathematics, and will help Gary Middle College assess the student’s academic skills to place them in the appropriate grade level. The Accuplacer asseses student’s readiness for college courses that students are able to take at Ivy Tech as a part of our dual enrollment program. To earn a high school diploma, students are required to take the ECA (End of Course Assesssment) for Algebra I and English 10. If the student has passed the ECAs at their previous school they are not required to re-take them at Gary Middle College. To prepare for the ECA students are required to take the Acuity test. The Acuity test will help students gain a better understanding of the ECA and what preparation they will need to successfully pass the exam. Students are also required to take the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) each school semester. This is a requirement of all Ball State University authorized charter schools. The NWEA measures a student’s academic growth over time.
Q. Is childcare provided? If so, what is the cost?
A. Child-care is available at an offsite location for students who need it, while they are in classes at the school. The child care is provided through an outside agency. Students are responsible for picking up and dropping up their child at the child care center while attending classes.
Q. Do you provide transportation?
A. No we do not provide transportation. It is the student’s responsibility to find the means to get to and from the school site.
Q. How much does it cost to enroll and attend?
A. Gary Middle College is a tuition free, public adult education center. There are no fees to attend our school.
Q. Do I need to buy books or other materials?
A. No. Students do not need to purchase textbooks. Books needed for a specific class are provided. In addition, each student has access to use a computer for school-related work. Students are expected to provide supplies such as pens, pencils, paper.
Q. What costs are associated with Ivy Tech classes?
A. Gary Middle College pays for all tuition, fees, and books for our students to attend Ivy Tech Community College. Through our partnership with Ivy Tech, our students are eligible to earn up to 60 credits (he equivalent of an Associate’s degree) by the time they graduate from Gary Middle College with their high school diploma. These credits are “dual credits”; they count towards both the student’s college degree and their high school diploma.
Q. Can special needs students attend your school?
A. Yes, we are a public charter adult education center, and we enroll all students, including students with an I.E.P.
Q. Are you a “night school”?
A. No, we are not a “night school”, in the sense that students can be enrolled in a different high school, during the day and take classes at our school at night. We are a non-traditional adult education center. Students, who attend our school, are in enrolled in Gary Middle College and will receive a Gary Middle College high school diploma and will attend a Gary Middle College graduation. Our program is from 8:00AM–8:00PM Mondays through Friday. Students must attend for four hours per day, from 8AM-11AM, 12PM-3PM, 4PM-8PM.
Q. Are you a “credit recovery” school?
A. No, we are not a “credit recovery” school, in the sense that students can be enrolled in a different high school, makeup classes that they have failed, at our school. We are a non-traditional high school. Students, who attend our school, are in enrolled in Gary Middle College and will receive a Gary Middle College high school diploma and will attend a Gary Middle College graduation.
Q. I have some high school credits, but I don’t remember how many. How do I find out?
A. Credits earned may be obtained a couple of ways; return to the last school attended to request a transcript or if the school no longer exists, individuals may obtain transcripts from the school’s district office.
Q. How long will it take me to earn my high school diploma?
A. The amount of time depends on the number of credits the student needs. We will create an individualized learning plan for each student. That plan will begin with the number of credits that the students has already earned. With our blended learning model, there is an opportunity for students to earn their high credits at a faster rate than they would in a traditional high school.
Q. Are you an “alternative school”?
A. No, we are not an “alternative school”, in the sense that we are designed to meet the needs of students who are chronically and/or violently disruptive in school. Our school is a very safe and orderly school. Our students are mature and responsible; they are serious about getting their high school diploma and going on to college. We have high expectations and a very low tolerance for misbehavior that gets in the way of learning.