According to the U.S. Department of Education, public magnet schools are designed to attract students from diverse social, economic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds. They focus on a specific subject, such as science or the arts; follow specific themes, such as business/technology or communications/humanities/law; or operate according to certain models, such as career academies or a schools-within-schools. As a magnet high school, Quinebaug Middle College (QMC) Magnet High School is focused on providing an early college experience. Our qualified students are able to access CT State Community College Quinebaug Valley, formerly Quinebaug Valley Community College, classes free of charge as they simultaneously earn high school and college credits.

According to the CT State Department of Education (CSDE), interdistrict magnet schools permit students from different cities and towns to cross district borders to attend a themed magnet school or program. QMC is an interdistrict magnet school operated by EASTCONN, a Regional Education Service Center (RESC). A RESC is a nonprofit public education agency created and approved by the CT legislature and the CSDE.

QMC is a public, no-cost high school option available to all Connecticut high school students. In order to attend QMC, you must be a resident of a Connecticut town and registered as a student in that town. A number of member districts (partners) have agreed together with QMC to set aside a limited number of guaranteed seats for the students in their town to attend QMC. QMC's member districts (partners) are: Brooklyn, Killingly, Plainfield, Windham, Woodstock, Pomfret, Voluntown, and Franklin. This does not preclude additional students from those partner towns from attending QMC, as long as there are seats available. No district may limit the number of eligible and appropriately placed students from their town who wish to attend QMC.

QMC can enroll up to 180 students, though we typically have 175 students enrolled each year. Class sizes are quite small when compared to a traditional high school, with numbers averaging between 12-16 students per class.

The school day begins at 8 a.m. and dismisses at 3 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Friday classes are shortened to 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Classes follow a 75-minute block schedule, which allows students to easily access Quinebaug Valley Community College daytime courses.

The application to attend QMC is found on the homepage of the website or under the “Admissions” tab. The application can be submitted by email, by fax or by mail. The application should be downloaded and saved if submitting by email. It should be printed out if submitting by mail or fax.
Please note: the application has two sides. The second side asks for a student essay, transcripts of grades, discipline records, attendance records, teacher recommendations and medical information. Admission is done through a lottery system. Once a student is notified of their acceptance, they will schedule a time to visit the school and meet with the administration.
If you are accepted and have an IEP or a 504 plan, the support team at QMC will need to meet with your sending school to ensure that your educational needs can be met and that your plan can be followed with the resources QMC has available.

Yes, QMC accepts students after they have started their high school experiences elsewhere. The application is the same for students who have started at other high school. Once all of your paperwork is complete, your application will be considered for the following semester. Meetings between the student and our guidance department are important to ascertain the number of credits you are carrying with you and the number of credits you will need to earn at QMC to graduate.

Students are bused from sending districts/towns by either their own town’s transportation company or by EASTCONN transportation.

QMC does not have an athletic program, but we do have a fully-equipped fitness center and gymnasium for student use.

All students are eligible at QMC for free school lunch (and breakfast).

QMC has an amazing library that is shared with CT State Community College- Quinebaug Valley. The library is fully equipped with computers, state-of-the-art technology, and resources to support student research.

QMC does not have traditional music offerings, such as a band or orchestra. However, QMC’s music program includes chorus and a service-learning group called “Music Makers” that performs during coffeehouses and other community events. Students interested in pursuing music are welcome to bring their instruments to school and to explore how they can become part of that ensemble.

Students who are dual-enrolled in QMC/QVCC can access free, virtual health services through TimelyCare. From online yoga and guided morning meditations to virtual visits with doctors, counselors and health coaches, TimelyCare offers free, 24/7 health services for students. Students under the age of 18 will need parent/guardian permission to use these services; a digital parent permission form is located on the portal. Contact Melissa Jacobs at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.