Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) continues its collaboration with St. Mary’s Springs Academy (SMSA) in Fond du Lac, offering high school students hands-on, college-credit courses during an accelerated winter term. Now in its second year, this partnership remains a unique and valuable opportunity for students to explore college-level learning.
In 2022, MPTC and SMSA began working together to increase dual-credit opportunities for students and strengthen ties between the two institutions. This partnership was the first of its kind between a technical college and a parochial school.
Led by Beth Roehl, K12 manager at MPTC, in partnership with SMSA High School Principal, Eamonn O’Keeffe, the 2025 SMSA J-Term offered students valuable opportunities to explore.
“Our goal is to provide students with hands-on, engaging courses they wouldn’t otherwise experience, helping them explore new career paths,” Roehl said. “We aim to grow the partnership by offering advanced-level courses next year, ultimately enabling students to earn a credential while still in high school.”
The program ran from Jan. 6 to Jan. 17, with 49 SMSA students attending courses at Moraine Park. Students chose from six course areas: Automotive, Welding, Programming, Early Childhood Education, Culinary Arts, and Nail Care.
“I’m in nail care, and it’s been such a blast—we get to do manicures and pedicures every day,” said SMSA junior, Morgan N. “It’s a great skill to learn. While I don’t plan to pursue it as a career, I now know how to do my own nails and can help out friends and family too.”
The SMSA students were surveyed ahead of the J-Term to determine areas of interest, shaping the course offerings. Students, ranging from sophomores to seniors aged 16 and older, gained hands-on experience in Moraine Park’s state-of-the-art learning labs while earning high school grades and college credits.
“MPTC has been a valued institutional partner with SMSA for a long time, but most especially in recent years with the unique opportunities provided to Ledgers through J-Term,” Eamonn O’Keeffe, SMSA High School Principal, said. “I have appreciated the ‘can do’ spirit, creative thought partnership, and consistent goodwill that Beth Roehl and her MPTC team have extended to me and our SMSA academic team. Of course, our students are the beneficiaries of this relationship! Ledgers enrolled in all six MPTC courses have reported a fantastic J-Term experience! I am excited to see how this creative partnership continues to grow and develop in the years to come.”
Looking ahead, MPTC and SMSA are committed to maintaining the program and exploring further opportunities for students to benefit from college-level learning.