Fairmont State presenters tell Harrison County Schools board about Middle College and RISE for youth from foster care

Jacob Ayers, a counselor with the West Virginia Schools Diversion and Transition, told the Harrison County Schools board that Middle College and RISE at Fairmont State aim to reduce educational instability for students who have experienced foster care by offering a two-year pathway to an associate degree alongside a high-school diploma.

The presenters said the Middle College model allows eligible students to complete eight aligned courses over about two years to meet high-school requirements while taking roughly 60 college credit hours at Fairmont State. "We take care of the GED education portion of it," Hannah Scott Long said, describing the program as an "option pathway" that coordinates high-school credits with college coursework so students can graduate with both credentials.

Emily Weinberg Swain, representing Fairmont State University, described RISE (Resilience, Independence, Support, Empowerment) as a campus-based support organization for traditionally enrolled students who have lived in foster care. "We started RISE as part of our pivot with Middle College," she said. The program provides mentoring, community dinners and volunteer support; presenters said about 30 students were served in RISE during its first semester.

On funding, presenters said the program launched with a supplemental state appropriation in 2024 and some private support from the Fairmont State Foundation. They said the program had been awarded CDS funding that later "fell out" during budget reconciliation, and that staff continue to seek grants and private donors to sustain the work. "Right now, we're relying on those state dollars," Swain said.

The presenters described academic and admissions details: students must meet TABE screening thresholds (presenters said they ask for roughly a 560 in reading and math), take core college courses (English, math, social science, Spanish among others) and finish a capstone course tailored to the cohort. Ayers noted an MOU process with the county that allows the county to receive graduation credit for Middle College students while Fairmont delivers the college coursework.

Panelists said practical barriers—transportation and housing—are addressed through free bus routes from surrounding counties, community partners and volunteer support. "A lot of times the worker will just pick them up, drop them off, and then come back and get them later," Long said. Presenters emphasized the program does not compete with public schools but rather complements them by serving students who face instability.

Superintendent Stuttgart and board members asked logistical questions about enrollment, funding and program expansion; presenters offered literature and contact information for follow-up. The board did not take action on the presentation.

Next steps: presenters invited further questions and offered printed materials; board members were encouraged to contact the program for details on student referrals and partnership logistics.