JPEC and University of Michigan-Dearborn Partner to Expand Dual Enrollment Opportunities for Students
A First-of-Its-Kind Partnership Brings U-M Dearborn Coursework to JPEC Students Beginning 2026-27
Jackson Preparatory & Early College (JPEC) is proud to announce a new dual enrollment partnership with the University of Michigan-Dearborn (UM-Dearborn) that will open the doors of a major Michigan research university to our students. On May 5, 2026, JPEC President Jonathon Marowelli and the Regents of the University of Michigan, on behalf of UM-Dearborn, signed a Dual Enrollment Program Agreement that will provide JPEC students access to university-level coursework drawn from UM-Dearborn's four major academic colleges beginning with the 2026-27 school year.
The agreement marks two notable firsts: it is JPEC's first postsecondary partnership with a research institution, and UM-Dearborn's first Early College partnership. For both schools, it represents a willingness to chart new ground in service of student opportunity.
A SHARED COMMITMENT TO STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
The partnership aligns directly with JPEC's mission of providing students a seamless path from middle school through college. Since our founding in 2014, we have been committed to ensuring every JPEC student has the opportunity to earn both a high school diploma and meaningful college credit at no cost to families. Adding a UM-Dearborn pathway broadens that promise — pairing our existing partnerships with access to a Michigan public research university.
"It's been important for us to find partners who are open to innovating in the best interests of students," said JPEC President Jonathon Marowelli. "I'm so glad we've been able to build this connection with UM-Dearborn, and I'm excited for our students and families to have this opportunity."
Dr. Ghassan Kridli, Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UM-Dearborn, described the partnership as "two schools willing to step into the unknown and uncharted in order to create pathways for the betterment of students."
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR JPEC STUDENTS?
The partnership with UM-Dearborn creates several concrete opportunities:
- Dual Enrollment at a University of Michigan Research Campus: Eligible JPEC students may enroll in courses offered by UM-Dearborn and earn postsecondary academic credit recorded on an official UM-Dearborn transcript.
- Access to Four Academic Colleges: Course offerings will draw from UM-Dearborn's four major academic colleges, giving students exposure to a broad range of disciplines and program pathways.
- Guaranteed Admission with a 3.0 GPA: JPEC graduates with a minimum 3.0 GPA are guaranteed admission to UM-Dearborn, creating a clear and confident transition from Early College into a bachelor's degree program.
- Tuition Scholarship: UM-Dearborn automatically applies a Dual Enrollment Scholarship that covers 50% of tuition and fees, up to eight credits, for every dual enrollment student. The remaining tuition and fees are paid by JPEC on behalf of students — keeping this opportunity free for our families, consistent with our Early College commitment.
- Dedicated Admissions Support and Orientation: UM-Dearborn Admissions staff will assist JPEC students with the application and dual enrollment documentation, provide an orientation each semester covering UM-Dearborn policies and procedures, and help students register for classes, access the Student Information System, and use campus resources.
- Ongoing Student Support: UM-Dearborn Admissions staff will be available to JPEC students throughout the semester for individual assistance, and UM-Dearborn representatives will participate in informational sessions for current and prospective JPEC students and their families upon request.
The Agreement takes effect for the 2026-27 school year and will be reviewed and renewed annually. JPEC and UM-Dearborn will coordinate course offerings, cohort sizes, and scheduling each semester to ensure the program continues to serve students well.
