Middle College Offers a Change of Environment to High School Students

The high school experience colored by spirit rallies, running to classes, and cafeteria gossip isn't for everyone. A Santa Clara high school junior or senior who feels disconnected from their high school experience can find a haven at Mission College's Middle College program. Here, high school students can take classes at the community college for both high school and college credits.

"A lot of [high school] kids take a class through concurrent enrollment or just for advancement at Mission College. But if they're not in the Middle College program, they can't get college credit," says Sara Smith, a teacher and site coordinator for Mission College's Middle College program.

"Middle College is one of our most successful programs. The students make significant contributions to our college, both academically and in extracurricular activities, including student government," says Harriett Robles, President of Mission College.

The concept of Middle College started in the East Coast to reduce the number of high school drop-outs during students' senior year.

"We tend to look for kids who are experiencing disengagement with the educational process they are currently in," Smith says. "Our program caters to students who are high-functioning and academically rigorous, who want a greater challenge and are ready to take some college classes. Some students go into the program with an intense need for environmental change."

Chasty Ayson was a disconnected student at Santa Clara High School when she decided to participate in the Middle College program.

"Jen and Sara, the teachers we had [at Middle College], hold you accountable but they also acknowledge that you are an adult who can make your own decisions," Ayson says. "What I really needed was somewhere where I could nurture my own interests. I had a lot of family issues. My dad wanted me to do something I didn't want to do to help my family out. Jen and Sara told me I needed to do what I wanted to do and they pointed me in the right direction."

Today Ayson is a student at Mills College where she may possibly pursue a double major in Anthropology and French.

"I've always wanted to do something that gives back to the community," Ayson says of her career plans. "I want to change the education system."

Typically, only about 40 students are admitted into the program each year. Once a student enters the program, they enroll in required high school courses taught by Sara Smith and her colleague, Jennifer Jolliff, in addition to courses at the community college. Although the student is still technically enrolled in their high school, their academic routine takes place at Mission College.

According to Smith, participation in Middle College can cut two years off a typical student's college time line.

"So you can graduate from college when you're 20," Smith says. "We've had a number of students who graduate with their A.A. or A.S. degree the same time they graduate from high school."

"The application is a collection of paperwork with their essays and transcripts," Smith continues. "Everyone who turns in an application is guaranteed a 10-minute interview. The interview is extremely important. We've accepted students with a G.P.A. of .6, which is an F, and a G.P.A. of 4.3. So you see, a student's G.P.A. doesn't matter much."

This year, the applications for Middle College are due on March 6th. For more questions about the Middle College program, contact Sara Smith at 408-855-5532.