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Earn your high school diploma – and a college degree or certificate, tuition-free
WTMC offers more than a high school diploma. Students choose from one of the approved Washtenaw Community College programs and graduate with their high school diploma and a technical certificate or associate degree – all without paying for tuition, fees or books. These costs are paid for by WTMC.
Academics at WTMC: How it works
At WTMC, we emphasize skill development, not credit completion. There are no bells, hall monitors or daily announcements to keep students on track.
Our teachers help students take responsibility for their own effort, education and behavior. WTMC students develop skills that help them set goals and monitor their own progress.
WTMC requires each graduate to:
- transition from high-school level course work to full time college-level course work
- complete a set of core 100-level academic courses with a grade of C or better
- complete either a technical certificate or associate degree at the college
Students start at WTMC in college preparatory courses in English, mathematics, critical thinking and science. Students must earn a minimum grade of "B" and demonstrate college-ready habits prior to transitioning into college coursework.
The transition to college courses is determined by WTMC faculty. We talk with each student individually, assessing both academic skills and soft skills. A student who does not transition to college courses cannot graduate from WTMC.
Once you are ready to move to 100-level college classes, you must take required core subjects.
Required core subjects
| Core Subjects | Course Name | College Course Title |
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English |
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Mathematics |
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Science |
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Social Studies |
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Online Learning |
Online or Blended course |
Student Elective |
Approved Programs
Picking a certificate or degree to complete is an important decision. After evaluating your strengths and interests, WTMC staff helps you and your parents evaluate program options and make an informed decision.
Students must earn a certificate of completion in a technical program or an associate degree from WCC in order to graduate from WTMC.
Choosing an approved program
The first step in choosing a certificate program is to identify one or two career pathways of interest:
- Apprenticeship & Union Trades
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Business & Entrepreneurship
- Broadcast, Communication, Visual, Digital & Fine Arts
- Career & Technical Education
- Health Sciences
- Human Services, Pre-Education & Public Safety
- Science, Computer Technology, Engineering & Math
- Skilled Trades
- Transportation Technologies
Within each of these pathways, students with guidance from BASE advisors can choose a from a variety of certificates and degrees offered at WCC that could prepare them for any number of jobs.
Graduation requirements
Be sure to check with the current WCC bulletin and your college program advisor, as well as your BASE advisor, for specific requirements related to your degree or program of study.
Requirements for Graduation
Mathematics
- Algebra II (Prior w/ a C or better) or WTMC MTH 169
- Geometry (Prior w/ a C or better) or WTMC Geometry
- MTH 160 or 176 (or higher)
- Mathematical reasoning course in the FALL semester of final year
English
- WTMC English
- ENG 111
- Any 100-level or higher college ENG LITERATURE course or WTMC Advanced Literature Seminar
Science
- Biology (Prior) or WTMC Biology (A or B grade) or BIO 101 (or higher)
- Chemistry (WTMC CEM or WCC CEM 101/111) OR Physics (WTMC PHY or WCC PHY 100/105/111)
- Minimum 1 WCC lab science course
Social Studies
- U.S. History (Prior) or WTMC U.S. History or WCC U.S. History
- WTMC Critical Thinking
- PLS 112 or WTMC Civics
- Minimum of 1 WCC Social Science Class
Foreign Language
- 2 years prior in the same language (Kindergarten to current year) OR 2 WCC Courses in the same language or 1 WCC course (or prior) AND an addtl. VPAA or Technical Course
Physical Education and Health
- Physical Fitness (Prior) or WTMC PE or WCC (DAN, PEA, YOG or WTMC Ultimate Frisbee or *WTMC Biology of Healthy Living
- Health (Prior) or WTMC Health or *WTMC Biology of Healthy Living
Visual, Performing and Applied Arts
- Art, Band, Choir, Drama, Music, Orchestra (Prior) or Any 100-level or higher performance college course – ANI, ART, DRA, DAN, GDT, MUS, PHO, VID. (NOT “appreciation” or “theory,”) or WTMC Drama/Improvisation Course
Online Learning Experience
- Blackboard Use, Online Course, or Blended Online/Classroom course
Approved Certificate or Associate Degree
- Technical Certificate or Associate Degree
Grade Point Average
- Overall WCC GPA ≥ 2.0
Soft skills
The research is clear: soft skills are the key to college success, as much or more than academic skills. A student who applies himself or herself consistently is more likely to complete a college program than a brilliant student who lacks responsible habits.
WTMC students must learn and practice a number of soft skills in addition to the academic skills needed for transition to college-level work. Soft skills are taught in every WTMC class for the first five weeks of the first semester. A few of the skills that we teach to help students find success at the college level and beyond:
- time management
- attendance
- accepting responsibility
- proper methods of communication
- goal setting
- decision-making
- conflict resolution
- organization
Soft skills are reinforced during the second 5 weeks and evaluated during the final 5 weeks.
Soft skill grading scale
R = recommended for college coursework. This student has demonstrated both effective self-management skills and academic proficiency in this subject area.
S = soft skill credentialed. This student has demonstrated effective self-management skills, but has not yet demonstrated academic proficiency in this subject area.
N = needs improvement. This student needs to improve in one or more soft skill areas before being ready to self-manage in a college class.
Students must receive soft skill credentials from all of their WTMC instructors in order to transition to WCC classes. Students failing to demonstrate adequate soft skills in college classes, which results in a failing grade, may be returned to WTMC classes.
Learning & disability support
With consideration of federal guidelines and state requirements, specific learning disability eligibility is evaluated using a pattern of strengths and weaknesses. Patterns of strengths and weaknesses are based on both assessment and review of achievement scores and performance in a variety of academic areas, with documentation of a pattern of strengths in one or more areas as compared to other areas where a student demonstrates a pattern of significant academic weaknesses.
Please visit the Washtenaw Intermediate School District for the complete guidance document for the determination of specific learning disabilities.