Adrian College and JPEC Partner to Expand Opportunities for Students
New MOU Creates a Seamless Pathway for JPEC students from Early College and Beyond
Jackson Preparatory & Early College (JPEC) is thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with Adrian College that will expand new opportunities for our students. Adrian College, founded in 1859, brings a wealth of experience in innovative partnerships to this collaboration. On November 12th, JPEC President Jonathon Marowelli and Adrian College President Jeffrey Docking signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expand dual-enrollment opportunities, strengthen transfer pathways and improve access to higher education for our students.
A Shared Commitment to Student Achievement
This partnership perfectly aligns with JPEC's mission to provide students with a seamless path from middle school through college. Since our founding in 2014, we’ve been committed to setting students up for success by offering them the opportunity to earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree at no cost to families.
During the signing ceremony, President Docking told JPEC’s President Marowelli, “I just hear such great things about what JPEC is doing. Your reputation precedes you. With everything going on right now concerning the challenges in higher education, innovation is the name of the game and that’s what I really respect about what you are doing. We know change is difficult, but as we say here, innovate or die.”
What Does this Mean for JPEC Students?
The partnership with Adrian College creates several exciting opportunities:
- Dual-Credit Courses: Students can now take courses at Adrian College that count toward both their JPEC graduation requirements and Adrian College degree programs. This means even more options for our students to get ahead.
- Guaranteed Admission: JPEC graduates who complete our early college program with a minimum 3.0 GPA will be guaranteed admission to Adrian College and eligible for freshman scholarship programs.
- Dedicated Support: Adrian College will provide dedicated advisors specifically for JPEC students, working closely with our school counselors to ensure a smooth transition and continued success.
- Accelerated Pathways: Adrian College Counselors will create a seamless academic and cultural bridge for JPEC students, providing dedicated advisors for the students, who will work in cooperation with the JPEC school counselor. Adrian College staff will also explore summer bridge programs, academic boot camps and peer mentoring opportunities for JPEC students.
The MOU took effect January 1st of this year and will remain in place for three years. A joint partnership committee with representatives from both institutions will oversee implementation, ensuring that this collaboration continues to serve our students' best interests.
Interested in learning more about Jackson Preparatory & Early College? Join us for our Open House on Thursday, March 19, 2026 from 5:00-7:30 PM at 2111 Emmons Road in Jackson, or visit jpec.org. We're enrolling now for 2026-27.
About Jackson Preparatory & Early College (JPEC)
As a public school academy for middle and high school students Jackson Preparatory & Early College (JPEC), Michigan’s only whole school Early College program with a middle school, offers 6th – 13th graders the opportunity to foster independence safely. Founded more than a decade ago and housed at Jackson College, JPEC offers access to world-class facilities which enables us to provide an excellent tuition-free education that includes credit-earning college courses and career-defining certifications. We value competency-based learning -- what you know how to do, not just what you know. Achieve an associate’s degree and a high school diploma simultaneously. Every student can succeed here. Enroll now. Find us at jacksonpec.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
