By Nicole Silveira
Now is the time of year for students to start thinking about next semester. Upcoming juniors and seniors from high schools in the Livermore, Dublin, and Pleasanton school districts have the opportunity to become students at Las Positas. Currently, students from these districts are applying to be a part of the new Middle College program.
According to its mission statement, the purpose of the Middle College program is “to educate and train the broad spectrum of students by providing a bridge of opportunity connecting school to continuing education and career”.
This program invites students to take classes at Las Positas and earn credit for both high school and college. Even though the students are technically enrolled in their high school, they also receive the college experience. According to Kathleen Frazer, the principal of Middle College, students can still participate in their high school prom, sports, and other extracurricular activities, but will not be on their high school campus for educational purposes.
Middle College is geared towards students who have “a passion for learning and a strong sense of intellectual curiosity” as well as “demonstrate the potential maturity to cope with the challenges and relative freedom of a college environment”.
Students enrolled in this program, who have a “need and desire for a different learning environment than the traditional high school”, will be on campus everyday for three classes, which include English, Social Studies, and a Learning/Study skills course to help them adapt to the college life, and any additional classes, up to 11 units.
The goal of this program is to provide free college education, according to Frazer, and to “get students engaged in student life”. These students can participate in LPC courses, clubs and campus events but not in athletics. They take placement tests, just like current students, and will be put through an interview process to make sure they are the perfect candidates.
Thirty students are expected to join Middle College in fall 2015, so don’t be surprised to find 16- and 17- year old students in your classes next year.
