facutly helping two students in a lab
STEM Academy students getting hands-on help in a chemistry lab.

Full-time academies are ideal for current high school students who have a specific major or career path they intend to pursue.

You’ll have an opportunity to delve into your area of interest while also fulfilling general education requirements.

When you enroll in the Running Start Academy, you’ll take all of your senior-year classes at Madison College. In the case of our two-year STEM Academy, you’ll attend college during both your junior and senior years.

Full-Time Early College Academies

Your course load and schedule will vary according to the academy you choose, and may include in-person, online and/or hybrid classes. You'll typically attend classes from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm, which allows you to participate in high school extracurricular activities in the afternoon.

STEM Academy

2 Years (Grades 11–12); Up to 60 Credits

Discover the exciting career pathways available within the high-demand fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). You’ll have an opportunity to graduate from high school with your associate degree, or with a majority of the credits needed for a degree. You can then transfer those credits toward a bachelor’s degree at UW-Madison, or one of our other partner universities in or out of state. 

Participating Schools: 

  • Madison Metropolitan School District
  • Lodi High School
  • Marshall High School
  • Poynette High School
  • Sun Prairie Area School District

Running Start: Personalized Academy 

1 Year (Grade 12); Up to 30 Credits

This “build your own” academy model lets you develop a personalized program of study based on your career goals. Your courses can lead to industry certification and/or a technical diploma, or bring you one year closer to a degree. 

Participating Schools: Madison Metropolitan School District.

faculty and student standing by a yellow robot arm, the arm is drawing.

 

"The benefits have been substantial. I have improved on bad habits like procrastination and have significantly improved my time management. … There are also many activities on campus, programs to join, events, chances of volunteering or even getting a job, better tutoring, and the list goes on. … Choosing Madison College was the best decision I have ever made”

– Yonatan (Yoni) Abichu, STEM Academy student