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Early College at UMKC

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NKC Schools' Early College Academy at UMKC is offered to seniors. This is an excellent opportunity for students to gain experience navigating a large college or university campus after high school. UMKC offers a wide array of classes – especially the Arts, Engineering, Business, just to name a few. 

Please see the applications below.

You are required to complete both applications. If you have questions, please contact your high school counselor or Ms. Gilliland at shannon.gilliland@nkcschools.org

The part-time NKC Schools Early College Academy-University Missouri Kansas City is open to all students entering their Senior year of high school who meet the qualification standards outlined below. Students who pursue this opportunity will attend UMKC for half of the school day. Students engaged in Early College Academy are still considered full-time NKC students and are eligible for all MSHAA athletics and activities, contingent upon normal MSHSAA credits being met.

Student Benefits and Outcomes

  • Students will earn approximately 9-12 college hours/semester of enrollment at UMKC at no cost to families, when expectations are met.
  • These college courses will concurrently count toward high school graduation requirements AND a college degree.
  • These courses may be part of the CORE 42 that are transferable to any publicly-funded 4-year college or university in Missouri (additional information on CORE 42 on the Early College Academy flyer).
  • Students can make substantial progress toward earning a college degree.

Minimum Student Qualifications for Consideration

  • Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
  • Official student disciplinary record from the school
  • Recommendations from two teachers
  • Record of 90% attendance
  • College Readiness – Students need a qualifying ACT or College Placement Test (Accuplacer) score that places them into college-level classes at UMKC (additional information on ACT and College Placement Test is on the Early College Academy flier)
  • Completed application and a signed agreement to abide by the expectations and responsibilities of the NKC Schools Early College Academy
  • Completion of the UMKC application for enrollment
  • Discussion with Assistant Director Postsecondary Readiness or designee.

Application Process

The NKC Schools Early College Academy application is available via Google form.  Please contact Shannon.Gilliland@nkcschools.org with any additional questions.

Application opens November 1, 2023. Application review and interviews will start in February 2024.   

Learn More

Register to attend an Early College Academy Information session. UMKC ECA is open only to incoming Seniors.

UMKC: January 25, February 1, February 21 (6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.)

Use this link to register and to be sent a zoom link by noon on the day of the session you choose:

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