Started in 1998, the Middle College program at West Valley College is seeking students who are disillusioned with their high school campuses and want a more challenging academic program. They can receive their high school diplomas along with college credit by taking classes at West Valley.

Joe Samuels, West Valley College's retiring vice president of instruction, said the program is a partnership between the Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District and the college.

"Sometimes the high school environment just doesn't work out for all students," Samuels said, adding they may not fit in socially or academically and ultimately drop out. "They are bright students, but a little different in how they approach life and learning."

The alternative program was first started with the Los Gatos-Saratoga district and the Campbell Union High School District for students to spend their junior and senior years at West Valley. They take college classes in the morning and evening, and their high school core classes in the afternoon--all at West Valley. They are not allowed to return to their high schools, but are allowed to participate in its graduation ceremonies. They can't participate in extracurricular activities or athletics at their high schools, but can at West Valley.

The two Campbell teachers who taught the high school curriculum at West Valley were pulled back to the district because of budget cutbacks last year, Samuels said. But this fall, the Los Gatos-Saratoga district has committed to providing a teacher for the program, which will serve about 20 to 25 students.

"It's a win for the high school district because it gives students an alternative, and it's a win for us because we get the high school students and they take our classes, and they may continue at West Valley," he said.

Students must be juniors or seniors who have completed at least 110 units of high school curriculum. Juniors are preferred since it's a two-year program, Samuels' executive assistant Barbara Hayslip said. While the extensive application process and deadline has passed, Hayslip said additional applicants will be considered through August.

Hayslip added that students are required to take high school core classes five days a week for two hours a day, but they can also take six to 12 units of college classes. Students don't have to pay for the college classes, Hayslip said, unless they take 14 or more units. Students must take a counseling class to help them in career planning and college studying. Hayslip said it is possible for students to fulfill high school diploma and associates of arts degree requirements simultaneously.

Bethany Black is one of the many parents who supports the program, and she was disappointed when the Campbell district closed it down. Campbell Union High School District's Superintendent Rhonda Farber could not be reached for comment. Black said there are now no alternative programs for Campbell students.

"It's a phenomenal program," she said. "The appeal for this program comes from the kids who are frustrated in high school because they feel they are wasting time. They don't want a lot of busy work."

Black said the Middle College program allowed her son--who struggles with test-taking--to bypass the SAT test, earn almost two years of college credits and transfer to Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo.

For more information about Middle College, contact the Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District Director of Educational Services Steve Lopez at 408.354.2520, ext. 326.