By Tamana Ansari
@Tamana18248646
Middle College at Las Positas College allows high school students to experience higher education while still working toward their high school diplomas.
LPC’s Middle College opened for this fall. It is not a new idea — Middle College has been around the nation since 1970 – but it is new to Las Positas College, bringing high school students from nearby communities to the campus’ classrooms as part of a separate program.
The Middle College program has 25 students and classes are held in room 802 at LPC from 8 – 11 a.m.
Kathleen Frazer, the director of the Middle College program, said it is open to sophomore students who are interested in challenging themselves and experiencing the freedom that college offers while completing high school.
Frazer said that students who are interested in Middle College must be self-motivated, responsible and prepared to act as a college student. Interested high school students are required to get a referral letter from their high school, while they are on their freshman year in order to be enrolled in this program.
“It is an opportunity to grow up in a different way,” Middle College student Angelo Albert said.
Albert and Brandon Chin participate in Middle College.
Albert and Brandon Chin are two of the students that are part of the program at LPC.
Chin said he found Middle College very helpful, adding he said he has been struggling in high school. He said he feels more mature and responsible since he joined the program.
Both agree that with the less high school drama they can focus on studying and reaching their academic goals.
Frazer said the program requires that students enroll in at least six college units. They must also take history, English and math classes to meet high school requirements.
Middle College students receive college credits, and they can get all the privileges that are available to other college students. Frazer said that while attending college, students still are eligible to attend high school events like prom and club meetings.
After completing courses at Middle College, students can graduate with other students in their high school and receive their diplomas.
