Oakland ACE Update
September 5, 2025
Important Dates Fall 2025
Week of September 8: Grade Checks in Seminar
November 24-29: OCC Closed-No OCC or Seminar Classes
December 15: OCC Classes End
Starting Off Strong in the New Semester
Success in college starts with strong habits right from the beginning. Here are a few strategies that will help ACE students stay on track this semester:
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Calendar Your Due Dates: Write down all assignment deadlines, exams, and project due dates now. This simple step can prevent last-minute stress.
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Sign Up for Penji: Even if classes feel manageable today, sign up early for Penji to access tutors through the OCC Academic Support Center. Having your account set up now means you won’t be scrambling if challenges arise later.
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Attend Office Hours: Make use of your professors’ office hours as soon as possible. Building these connections early is key. Even if you’re not struggling, you can ask about note-taking strategies, effective study habits, or how to prepare for upcoming assessments.
Starting strong sets the tone for the entire semester and these proactive steps will help ensure students have the support and confidence they need to succeed.
Seminar Updates
One of the most important differences between Early College and Dual Enrollment is the weekly Seminar. Seminar provides ongoing support, guidance, and connection to help students succeed in their college classes. Early College programs were specifically created and are required to provide this type of student support.
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Attendance Matters: Students are expected to attend Seminar every week. A good rule of thumb is that missing more than two times begins to affect progress.
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Communication: If a student needs to miss Seminar, they must contact their Seminar Support Coordinator by text in advance.
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Program Expectation: Because Seminar is a required and defining feature of Early College, students who do not wish to participate will be asked to pursue Dual Enrollment instead.
Seminar keeps students connected, supported, and on track making it a cornerstone of the ACE program.
Upcoming Grade Checks
In college, knowing your grade can feel very different from high school. Professors don’t always grade every assignment, and feedback is often returned more slowly than high school teachers typically post grades. That’s why grade checks are such an important part of ACE.
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First Grade Check: Week 3 of the semester.
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How It Works: Grade checks are conducted in person during Seminar. Students who miss Seminar will be contacted to provide their grades.
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Accountability: If grades are not provided, it may be viewed as a sign that the student is struggling, and both parents and high school counselors will be notified.
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Support for Struggling Students: Any student earning a C– or lower will receive outreach via email that includes both the student and their parents, along with follow-up support from ACE staff.
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Seminar Advantage: Seminar Coordinators are experienced with the unique challenges of monitoring college progress. They will share tips and strategies to help students track their standing, even when grades aren’t updated as often.
Staying engaged in Seminar ensures students learn how to monitor their own academic progress — a critical college success skill.
If you are still in need of a textbook for your OCC class or are having issues getting the textbook/materials please reach out to Kim Mason at kimberly.mason@oakland.k12.mi.us or call 248-209-2025. When contacting Kim please include the the class/section numbers, textbook/materials needed and if you have tried to order them from OCC, please include your confirmation number.