Spring 2009 Applications Now Available
Click here to see application page

a collaboration between San Mateo Union High School District and College of San Mateo

Winner of the San Mateo County Office of Education Kent Award for outstanding educational program

College of San Mateo 1700 West Hillsdale Blvd. San Mateo, CA 94402 office: (650) 574-6101 fax: (650) 574-6233 e-mail: middlecollege@smuhsd.org

 

Program

San Mateo Middle College is an alternative education program in the 8,000-student, seven-school San Mateo Union High School District. Middle College is located at College of San Mateo, one of three colleges in the San Mateo County Community College District. The program, which began in August 1998, includes up to 30 juniors and 30 seniors, selected from among the students in the SMUHSD.

Students take two high school courses which adhere to the SMUHSD-approved curriculum and satisfy high school graduation requirements. Juniors take integrated courses, American Literature and United States History. Seniors take English, and semester courses of Economics and American Government. Additionally, students take a study skills class, designed to ensure that students take advantage of the many instructional support services available at CSM.

Students first enroll in courses that meet high school graduation requirements, then students fill out their schedules with at least seven college units. Students also enroll in two Introduction to College classes. For many courses, students can earn both high school credits and college units. Middle College students do not pay tuition for their courses.

A major goal of the program is to increase the number of underrepresented minority students who will attend college. We are working with the various ethnic organizations on the high school campuses to promote the program as a way for underrepresented minority students to "discover" college. Students can participate in some of the most prominent college programs, such as Computer and Information Science, Ethnic Studies, Horticulture, Multimedia, Administration of Justice, Cosmetology, Fire Technology, Photography, and Nursing.

Academic and career advising is a major component of the program. The two teachers, along with CSM staff members, help the students adjust to a college environment and outline occupational and educational plans. Students benefit from the CSM Career Development Center, which schedules workshops and seminars for Career Assessment Skills, and Job Search Skills as well as sponsors a Career and Job Faire. Students also may participate in activities in the CSM Transfer Center, which provides information about transferring to other college and universities. Seniors will be expected to serve job-related internships and participate in work experience through Cooperative Education. During the spring semester, juniors are required to participate in the Community Involvement Program, a volunteer program run through Cooperative Education.

CSM offers a library, Math Lab, Intergrated Science Center, Writing Center, a Reading Center, a Speech Lab, a Computer Writing Center, and Disabled Students Center, all services available to the students.

Expected Impact on Students

The impact of the Middle College program on students is expected to include . . .

• high school graduation.

• strong connection and identification with a community of learners.

• increased motivation and engagement in project-based learning.

• accumulation of college credits and early preparation for college admission.

• improved communication skills and media literacy.

• increased maturity, independence and evidence of coping skills.

• work experience and exploration of career options, particularly in Multimedia and Broadcasting Arts.

• improved attendance and academic achievement.

 

What's New

September 30, 2008 Thanks to all families and students who joined us for the Back-to-School Night on Sept. 10. The next parent event is Thursday, Oct. 30 at 6:30pm at the Aragon High School Library. Parents will have a chance to talk among themselves and with Middle College staff about their child's involvement in the Middle College program. The 12-week grading period ends on Friday, Oct. 24. Middle College applications for Spring 2009 are now available on-line. Students/families also can get applications from the district counseling offices or can have an application mailed by calling the Middle College office at 574-6101. The application deadline is Oct. 30. Prospective students also can visit CSM and the Middle College program. Call the office for more information. English teacher Jennifer Fraser will be advising the seniors this year. If there are questions about graduation requirements, SAT tests, college applications, etc., seniors should schedule a meeting with Ms. Fraser. Contact Ms. Fraser via email at fraserjen08@yahoo.com Michael Clardy will be the junior advisor, helping the juniors transition to Middle College. Click here to view the October 2008 newsletter. Click here for a Middle College brochure. Greg Quigley Principal

Check out these pages October newsletter Middle College brochure Spanish brochure Graduation 2002 Graduation 2003 Graduation 2004 Graduation 2005 Graduation 2006 Graduation 2007 Graduation 2008 Middle College Tree Planting Roaring 20s Magazine Two Revolutions assignment Utopias and Dystopias Mount Hermon Trip, Fall 00 Jennifer Fraser's Homepage

Mission Statement

Mission of San Mateo Middle College

The San Mateo Middle College is an alternative education collaboration between the San Mateo Union High School District and College of San Mateo. Middle College, made up of students of diverse backgrounds, serves students whose needs are not being met by the traditional high school. Middle College also gives students an opportunity to achieve high school and college academic success, to explore and pursue vocational and career aspirations, and to prepare themselves for future college experiences in a supportive, academically-challenging environment.

Goals of San Mateo Middle College

The goals of San Mateo Middle College include

• helping students adequately prepare themselves for college.

• helping students adequately prepare themselves for a career.

• exposing students to career opportunities and courses not available at typical high schools.

• providing students the support services needed to be successful in high school and college courses.

• giving students a solid foundation for life as a college student.

• emphasizing that college can serve all students.

• giving underrepresented minority students an opportunity to pursue higher education.

Mission of College of San Mateo

College of San Mateo, the first community college in San Mateo County, is an open-access, student-focused, teaching and learning institution, which serves the diverse educational, economic, social and cultural needs of the community. By offering comprehensive, quality programs and services, College of San Mateo educates students to participate successfully in a changing world.

Mission of the San Mateo Union High School District

The mission of the San Mateo Union High School District is to provide each student with a stimulating and challenging learning environment that promotes intellectual growth, creativity, respect for self and others and physical and mental health. The primary goal is that all students achieve their maximum potential.

Location

San Mateo Middle College is located at the College of San Mateo, 1700 West Hillsdale Boulevard, San Mateo, CA 94402. College of San Mateo, 15 miles south of San Francisco, is just off Highway 92, midway between Freeway 101 and Freeway 280. The main number for CSM is (650) 574-6161.

The Middle College office is in Building 11, room 136. Click here for a CSM campus map.

Map and Driving Directions

Students

The students in Middle College, selected from the SMUHSD, are high potential juniors and seniors who have not lived up to perceived expectations and potential as a high school student. These students are often creative and independent thinkers, artistically talented, sometimes gifted in one area, such as music, art or computers, but are generally not connected to the typical high school scene.

They may have relatively high scores on standardized tests, but their grades and behavior may not reflect this academic potential. They may be students whose attendance and rate of course completion is poor. Although students selected for Middle College may have attendance problems, they will not exhibit extreme discipline problems and will demonstrate the potential maturity to cope with the relative freedom of the Middle College environment.

There also is a segment of the Middle College population that has done well in high school, yet feel that their educational needs are best met on a community college campus. They have opportunities to take classes that meet their career or college interests, they're surrounded by individuals who are motivated to attend college, and they're given the responsibilities of a college student.

Our students have high school gpas that range from 4.0 to 1.8. Recent Middle College graduates have attended UC Berkeley, UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, UC San Diego, San Francisco State, Seatte University, Seattle Pacific, Expressions (Emeryville),  Pepperdine, Washington and San Jose State after completing Middle College. Several other students have continued their education at College of San Mateo and other community colleges.

Students are recommended for admission by teachers, counselors and administrators. Other application procedures include student testing for reading and writing, an informational meeting with parents/guardians, and interviews with students and parents/guardians.

Staff

The required high school courses are taught by San Mateo Union High School District teachers. The teachers also monitor student progress in the program and advise students both in academic courses and career preparation.

The Middle College principal is Greg Quigley. In addition to his Middle College duties, he serves as a district IEP specialist at Aragon, Hillsdale, Mills and San Mateo high schools. Mr. Quigley taught English at Aragon High (1991-2000) and served as the English Department Head for four years. He earned a BA from San Francisco State University, a master's in Public Administration from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, and an administrative credential from San Jose State University.

Jennifer Fraser, in her 11th year at Middle College, teaches American Literature (junior English) and World Literature (senior English). Ms. Fraser most recently English at Aragon High School in San Mateo until 1998. Her previous teaching experiences include teaching English at Iolani High in Hawaii, in West Berlin in Germany, and at Capuchino High in San Bruno. Ms. Fraser is a graduate of Stanford University and received her teaching credential from Stanford. Fraser website

Michael Clardy  has taught at Middle College for eight years. He started in 2000, then spent the 2006-07 school year teaching at his alma mater, Coronado High School In San Diego. Mr. Clardy teaches Economics, Government and US History at Middle College and is the junior advisor.

Tony Basques is the Middle College counselor. A retired counselor from Mills High School in Millbrae, Mr. Basques works part-time as a counselor at DeAnza College in Cupertino and Cañada College in Redwood City.

The college courses are taught by CSM instructors.

Curriculum

Students are required to take two high school courses which adhere to the SMUHSD-approved curriculum and satisfy high school graduation requirements. Juniors will take integrated courses, American Literature and United States History. Seniors take English, and semester courses of Economics and American Government. Additionally, students will take a study skills class, designed to ensure that students take advantage of the many instructional support services available to the students.

United States History course syllabus and outline

American Government course syllabus and outline

American Economics course syllabus and outline

English 5CP-6CP course syllabus and outline

English 7CP-8CP course syllabus and outline

Students first enroll in college courses that will meet high school graduation requirements, then students will fill the remainder of their schedules with courses at College of San Mateo. For many courses, students can earn both high school credits and college units.

Below is the Spring 2009 schedule for the high school classes all Middle College students must take:

	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
11:10-Noon	Advisory* 19-107/19-121	Advisory* 19-107/19-121	Advisory* 19-107/19-121	Advisory* 19-107/19-121	Advisory* 19-107/19-121
12:10-1:00	Srs: Government 19-121 Jrs: English 6CP 19-107	Srs: Government 19-121 Jrs: English 6CP 19-107	Srs: Government 19-121 Jrs: English 6CP 19-107	Srs: Government 19-121 Jrs: English 6CP 19-107	Srs: Government 19-121 Jrs: English 6CP 19-107
1:10-2:00	Srs: English 8CP 19-107 Jrs: US History 2 19-121	Srs: English 8CP 19-107 Jrs: US History 2 19-121	Srs: English 8CP 19-107 Jrs: US History 2 19-121	Srs: English 8CP 19-107 Jrs: US History 2 19-121	Srs: English 8CP 19-107 Jrs: US History 2 19-121
2:10-3:00	Advisory* 11--033	Advisory* 11--033	Advisory* 11--033	Advisory* 11--033	Advisory* 11--033

*Students take Study Skills either 11:10-Noon or 2:10-3:00 daily

 

Services

Academic and career advising is a major component of this program. Students will benefit from the CSM Career Development Center, which schedules workshops and seminars for Career Assessment Skills and Job Search Skills as well as sponsors a Career and Job Faire. Students also may participate in activities in the CSM Transfer Center, which provides information about transferring to other colleges and universities.

CSM offers a Students with Learning Disabilities Assessment Center, a Math Lab, a Writing Center, a Reading Center, a Language Lab, a Speech Lab and a Computer Writing Center, all services available to Middle College students.

Students can take advantage of the college counseling, advising and tutoring programs, and become involved in the many clubs and student groups that CSM has to offer.

History

The concept for Middle College High School was developed in 1974 under the joint auspices of the New York City Board of Education and LaGuardia Community College of the City University of New York. The program spread to other parts of the country and in the last decade, Middle College programs have been implemented successfully at . .  .

Orange Coast Middle College High School in Costa Mesa, CA
El Centro Middle College, Dallas, TX
Boyce Campus Middle College High School in Monroeville, PA
Middle College High School at Williamson County in Nashville
Middle College High School at Santa Ana College, CA
Contra Costa College, San Pablo, CA
Cañada College, Redwood City, CA
Grossmont Middle College High School, San Diego, CA
San Jose City College (ACCEL)
Evergreen Valley College, San Jose, CA
Middle College at West Valley College, Saratoga, CA
DeAnza Middle College, Cupertino, CA
Foothill College, Los Altos Hills, CA
Middle College High School at Southwest Tennessee Community College, Memphis, TN
Middle College High School at San Joaquin Delta College, Stockton, CA
Academy of the Canyons, Santa Clarita, CA
The High School at Moorpark College, CA
Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy at LA Harbor College, CA
Greenboro MCHS, Greensboro, NC
MCHS at Guilford Co. Tech College, Jamestown, NC
San Bernardino Valley MCHS
MCHS at Seattle Central CC, Seattle, WA
Seattle MCHS system
Mott MCHS, Flint, MI
Chester County MCHS, Exton, PA
Truman MCHS, Chicago, IL
John F. Kennedy Middle College High School, Norco, CA

The San Mateo Middle College program in a member in the 25-school Middle College National Consortium, based in New York. 

More information is available on the California Community College Chancellor's Office website at http://www.cccco.edu/divisions/ss/mchs/mchs.htm

2008-2009 Calendar

Need Information in Spanish?

¿Necesita información en Español?

^{Llame a Anthony Bassues al (650) 574-6468 or email tbasques@smuhsd.org}

Click here to view a Spanish translation of the Middle College brochure.

Either e-mail us at

middlecollege@smuhsd.org or call (650) 574-6101.