Fairmont State University expanding program to help WV foster teens earn high school diploma

by Amelia Ferrell Knisely, West Virginia Watch
August 5, 2025

Fairmont State University is expanding its on-campus housing and educational program for teens in foster care, announcing that it will now serve local foster children living with a foster family or relatives. 

The program, known as Middle College, launched in 2024 as West Virginia has struggled to have enough homes for kids in foster care, particularly older teens. There are 6,132 children in the state’s child welfare system. 

Middle College has provided housing to 16- to 18-year-olds in the foster care system while helping them complete a high school diploma and work on an associate degree before aging out of care. 

Only half of all youth in foster care earn a high school diploma, and between 2% and 6% go on to complete a college education.

The university announced Monday that the program will expand to include 16- to 17-year-olds in foster care who live in the surrounding area with their guardians. They will not need to relocate in order to receive the educational services.

“We know how important permanency is to youth with experience in care,” said Middle College Dean Emily Swain in a news release. “This expansion will allow students to remain in a supportive environment while pursuing their educational goals. Expanding the program to meet these needs will open the doors for even more students to experience Middle College.” 

The program is now accepting applications.

Middle College was launched through a partnership with KVC West Virginia and the West Virginia Schools of Diversion and Transition to address the state’s foster care crisis. 

“Programs like Middle College reflect what it truly means to be a public university,” said Dr. Mike Davis, president of Fairmont State University. “We have a responsibility to lift up every student with the potential to succeed — and that includes students who may not have had the support or resources they deserve. When we give them access to education and opportunity, we don’t just change their lives — we strengthen our communities and our state.” 

Middle College’s housing and educational program has been free and available to foster teens statewide. 

Students have access to support services, including mental health care. 

Middle College initially housed teens on-campus in a dorm, but earlier this year, the program opted to move the teens to off-campus housing after the Times West Virginian reported that a foster teen ran away from the program to Kentucky. In response, a spokesperson for the program said that Middle College student safety was a priority and the university needed additional space in the residence hall for its students. 

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