Who Should Apply

What type of student comes to Middle College?

Cañada Middle College is a great place for mature and independent students who are interested in exploring the rigor of the college environment while they are still in high school. Middle College is a great place for students to see what college is like, while still receiving support and guidance from their teachers in a small school environment. While there are many ways to earn college credit, Middle College is a comprehensive program that offers individualized advising and scheduling, the chance to take part in college clubs and activities, and the opportunity to earn up to a year and half of college credit for free, including book costs.

More about concurrent (or dual) enrollment options -- 

There are four ways high school students can earn college credit while in high school:

1. AP Classes. Where students follow a standardized curriculum approved by the College Board, and then take a test at the end of the course. Depending on their score on the AP test, and depending on whether or not the 4-year institution accepts AP scores for credit, students may earn college credit. AP classes are weighted on the high school transcript and students are limited to how many they can take in a year, based on year in school and scheduling limitations.
2. Concurrent enrollment at the college, where students remain at their high school for most of their day/schedule and take one or two college classes, usually online or at night; high school students are mixed in with the regular college students and classes are taught by college professors. Usually students can take any class for which they are qualified, and all 9th-12th grade students in good academic standing are eligible. This includes students taking a college class or two on their own, or students taking a college class with the support of Upward Bound. Students usually take one college class per semester.
3. Concurrent enrollment at the high school, where the college offers a college class on the high school campus. These classes are only open to high school students and are taught by a college professor or a high school teacher who has met the qualifications to teach the college class. These classes are only open to students who are qualified and are sometimes restricted to particular grade levels.
4. Concurrent enrollment via Middle College, where students take BOTH their high school and college classes on the college campus; high school classes are taught by SUHSD teachers and are only open to MC students; MC students take college classes with other college students that are taught by college professors. MC students are admitted through an application process and take 2-4 college classes per semester, enabling them to earn 1-1.5 years of transferrable college credit during their junior and senior years. Students are supported by four SUHSD teachers who also serve as academic advisors, and take the College & Career Readiness class that helps them transition to the college environment as well as track progress towards their post-secondary plans. Transferrable college classes are weighted on the high school transcript.

Which option is best for which type of student?

• Students looking for a small school-within-a-school environment that offers individualized advising and scheduling, the chance to take part in college clubs and activities, and the opportunity to earn up to a year and half of college credit for free, including book costs, should apply to Middle College. 
• Students wanting to remain part of their high school and take just one or two college classes should choose concurrent enrollment at Cañada. 
• Students interested in earning college credit for a particular college class without leaving high school at all should look at which (if any) college classes are being offered at their high school