David Fleming, Jeff Leslie, Myra Munroe, David Mathews and Sherman Ostrander were on hand Monday for the Edwardsburg Middle College open house, which was well attended. (Leader photos/Kelly Sweeney)

Partnering with Southwestern Michigan College, the Edwardsburg Public Schools showed off its new middle college room Monday during an open house.

The new program allows Edwardsburg students interested in science technology, engineering and mathematics to be challenged.

The Edwardsburg Middle College (EMC) is the first in southwest Michigan. It allows students to remain on the Edwardsburg campus while exploring a college-career ready curriculum taught by qualified faculty.

It also allows students to accelerate through and/or extend high school by one year to earn both their diploma and up to 62 credits from Southwestern Michigan College at no cost to the students as they earn a transferable associate degree in science.

Edwardsburg Middle College will offer Edwardsburg students a way to prepare for a globally competitive future as they complete both high school and college coursework which enables students to secure their future education and career related goals,” Edwardsburg Principal Jeff Leslie said. “We are pleased to invest in our community’s future leaders through this innovative and supportive opportunity.”

Staff from Edwardsburg, as well at SMC President David Mathews and David Fleming, SMC vice president for instruction, were on hand to showcase the new room.