RUMFORD — An opportunity to lease space at Mountain ValleyHigh School came closer to reality Tuesday morning when RSU 10 Superintendent Tom Ward and Principal Matt Gilbert toured two areas at the high school with representatives from the University of Maine at Augusta.

Ward said RSU 10 and the university system have been discussing the potential of siting the university system, Rumford/Mexico Center, at the high school for a couple of years.

On Tuesday, they looked at two possible spaces — one in the former industrial arts wing and the second in the guidance area.

Gilbert would be thrilled for high school students if part of his school is eventually turned into a college.

“That would clear a lot of hurdles for more kids to go to college,” he said Tuesday afternoon.

He said 80 percent of high school seniors prepare for postsecondary education, but only 50 percent actually take the leap. Having some of the courses offered right on the high school campus could ease students into the college experience.

He said, too, that the UMS Rumford/Mexico Center in Mexico already uses the high school for its chemistry and biology labs.

Ward said he and Gilbert met with UMA Director of Facilities Sheri Stevens and UMS South Paris Center Director Nikki Abbott.

He said RSU 10 should know whether the high school is accepted as part of the UMS by May.

He said such details as number of square feet needed, the amount of renovation required, the length of an agreement and a lease amount will also have to be approved by the RSU 10 board.

“We’re trying to make it a win-win situation. High school students would have better access to all university campuses, either in person or online. It would open up many possibilities,” Ward said.

Gilbert said about a half-dozen MVHS students already take advantage of course offerings, tuition-free, at the Rumford/Mexico UMS Center because of the district’s Aspirations grant.

The UMS has wanted to move out of the current college center on Brown Street in Mexico because more space is needed for the growing enrollment.