The Board of Trustees of the Lapeer County Community Foundation recently authorized a grant in the amount of $10,000 to Lapeer Community Schools to help offset the costs of books for students participating in the Dual Enrollment Educational Partnership (DEEP) during the 2013-14 school year. Students will be notified how to access assistance with their books prior to start of classes.

DEEP is a collaborative program with the University of Michigan-Flint and Mott Community College to offer college-level courses to LCS students. The program allows motivated students to earn college credit by taking accredited courses taught by faculty from Mott and UM-Flint in Lapeer. Students who participate have the opportunity to graduate high school with college credits, and may be able to enter college as transfer students. There are more than 90 students currently enrolled, with each student having the chance to earn 7-12 credits at little or no cost.

Ron Reed, Lapeer Community Schools Executive Director of Secondary Education, said the program will get LCS closer to its goal of all students earning some type of post-secondary credit while in high school.

“We want to move students into the college experience while they still have the security and support of their high school setting,” he said. “This will give them a jumpstart on college, to be better prepared for the rigor and independence required to have success.”

Dual enrollment is not something new to the District, according to LCS Superintendent Matt Wandrie; but, offering the option in Lapeer will give even more students the opportunity to get ahead.

“Our goal is for top students to graduate our schools and to be closer to college sophomores than high school seniors,” he said. “This is an awesome opportunity and we are grateful to the LCCF for their investment in the lives of our students.”

For more information, visit LapeerSchools.org or call your student’s high school counselor.

The Lapeer County Community Foundation  provides grants that enhance the quality of life in Lapeer County.  The Foundation manages endowments totaling over $8 million in 59 funds for a wide range of charitable purposes.