To ensure that tech prep reaches at-risk students at the earliest possible stages, the Houston Community College System and the Houston Independent School District have designed a Tech Prep Middle College (TPMC) providing high school students with a 6-year program of study beginning in 9th grade and leading to an Associate in Applied Science degree with advanced technology skills. The TPMC features a strong community-based component, encouraging field trips and community service at all levels. The first 2 years of the program feature interdisciplinary coursework designed to interrelate English, math, social studies, and science in the classroom as they exist in the real world. The final 2 years of the high school component allow students to specialize in engineering technology courses, where the academic component of the school is somewhat more traditional but still provides integration between academic subjects and vocational/applied technology courses. The post-secondary phase of the program continues the supportive atmosphere of the secondary program and allows students to pursue technical and academic course work applicable toward both an associate degree conferred by TPMC and transfer to a four-year institution. In fall 1994, the TPMC enrolled its first class of 60 students who were 46% Hispanic, 19% Black, and 55% male. Problems encountered by the program included lack of space, improperly designed facilities, and lack of realistic planning beyond the program's first year. (Includes program requirements, mission statement, and a timeline of TPMC implementation.) (MAB)