AUBURN — Beginning Jan. 18, Central Maine Community College will offer college writing, intermediate algebra and introduction to psychology at Fryeburg Academy.

It’s the latest effort to grow the number of satellite college classrooms throughout Oxford, Franklin and Lincoln counties by the community college. Fryeburg makes the ninth location for classes in those three counties, not including the main campus in Auburn.

“Central Maine Community College is charged by the Maine Community College System to serve Franklin, Oxford and Lincoln counties, in addition to Androscoggin,” Dean of Planning and Public Affairs Roger Philippon said.

Since 2002, “We’ve been working with education and community leaders in those counties to find good locations to offer courses for folks to try to cut down on travel time, to make some courses closer to home.”

One of the main objectives, Philippon said, is to encourage adults who have never gone to college to try out a class.

With a mission of expanding affordable college availability, Fryeburg will be the fourth Oxford County location CMCC has established.

Others include the Western Maine Community College and University Center near Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School in South Paris. It offers classrooms, student lounges and students services. “Students can go there and register,” Philippon said.

Classes are also offered at Region 9 School of Technology in Mexico, and at Telstar High School in Bethel.

Classes at some of those locations include understanding business, college writing, art, introduction to education, critical thinking, introduction to literature, developmental psychology, college algebra and introduction to ethics. Most classes tend to be first-year classes that carry three credits.

There are also four locations offering CMCC classes throughout Franklin County. They are the Foster Technical Center at Mt. Blue High School, Mt. Abram High School, Rangeley Lakes Regional School and the Career Center in Wilton.

Classes offered at some of the above locations include college writing, public speaking, sociology, algebra, statistics, sports management and medical specialties.

CMCC also offers classes in Damariscotta. Classes offered there include nursing and general education: college writing, introduction to ethics and sociology.

Oxford County has four CMCC locations, but in the rural county they’re not close together, said Michelle Hawley, director for CMCC’s Western Maine Center.

“From the South Paris center it’s a 40-minute ride to Region 9, a 30-minute ride to Telstar. It’s a 45-minute ride to Auburn,” she said.

Holding college classes close to home in rural areas helps more go to college, she said. “A lot of students are intimidated taking their first course.” Taking a course closer to home in a familiar setting makes the experience comfortable, she said.

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