MECHS Students
MECHS is a four-year program in which students take a variety of courses beginning in their sophomore year in high school. Its philosophy is to provide a nurturing, supportive learning environment for underserved high school students who have the potential to benefit from a rigorous academic curriculum.
About MECHS
Students have the opportunity to graduate high school with up to 51 college credit hours*, enabling them to enter higher education as a junior, saving substantially on costs and time to graduation. Some courses may also be offered on the university campus for which students receive dual credit upon successful completion of the courses.
*Not all students will achieve the maximum number of credits.
The Middle Early College High School (MECHS) CAP was established by the Buffalo Public Schools in September 2003. The school is a Buffalo Public Schools “school of choice", meaning that students have to apply to the school and there are a series of academic tests and interviews that are used to determine acceptance.
Middle Early College High School
Middle College National Consortium
- Students have the opportunity to graduate high school with up to 51 college credit hours
- Students are provided with programs to help them succeed, including advisement, tutoring, writing assistance, and career planning.
- Students are able to borrow computers and other equipment from the university, and generally able to access all university services.
- Of our 24 current students (2022/23 academic year), almost all have GPAs in excess of 3.0 and all are in good standing.
- Students leave the program prepared to navigate multiple aspects of higher education, from knowing standard policies and procedures, to time management, to advocating for themselves.
Students must:
- Demonstrate a commitment to the rigors of the program, including attending a four-week summer program each summer they are in school.
- Have already committed to the rigors of the program by applying and being accepted to MECHS.
- Be on time and remain for full classes, during which you must be attentive, take notes, and participate, even in courses where other students are older/more advanced.
- Be aware of university policies, as well as deadlines for all activities.
- Check in with the MECHS office every day. Attendance is tracked and counts toward your grade. More than three absences will negatively affect your grades overall.
- Be responsible for advising us of absences or other extenuating circumstances, not your parents.
- Communicate with us when if things are not going well, so that we can work with you to create a plan to help.
We understand that this level of academic commitment can affect the entire family, and that we all must work together.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the rigors of the program.
- Understand that your student is attempting to do work that is hard, and is supposed to be.
- Encourage them to know and share their course and college obligations with you. Become familiar with university terms, policies and procedures.
- Arrange for a campus visit with your student.
- Remind them that help is available, and should be sought as early as it may seem needed. Sooner is always better.
- Please reach out to us with questions or concerns.