Middle College Program
Middle College at West Valley College is a joint program with Campbell Union High School District and Los Gatos Saratoga Union High School District that offers an opportunity for 11th and 12th grade students seeking a more challenging and rigorous academic pathway. Middle College students have the maturity and academic skills to be successful in college level classes.
The program offers students a rigorous, academically focused environment. It is housed entirely on the West Valley College campus. With a wide selection of clubs, students are actively involved in the extracurricular life at the college. Students can also participate in extracurricular activities at their home high school. They also receive a diploma from their home high school and participate in their home high school graduation ceremony.
Under the guidance of their high school Middle College counselor, along with a West Valley College counselor, students select classes that meet high school graduation requirements while having access to a wider selection of electives. These classes could be credited towards their college degree and transferred to UC, CSU or private schools.
Students are enrolled in two (2) high school classes, as well as a minimum of six (6) and a maximum of eleven (11) college units per semester. Juniors are placed in either an AM block or PM block on Mondays and Wednesdays and Seniors are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students are also scheduled in a Counseling (COUN 005: College Success) class in their first year of the program.
2025-2026 Application Dates & Deadlines
Event
|
Date | Time | Location |
Mandatory Family Information Night | Tue, Feb 11, 2025 | 6-7:30 PM | Westmont High School, Performing Arts Center |
Application Opens | Tue, Feb 11, 2025 | 8 PM | Link To Be Announced |
Make-Up Information Night | Thur, Feb 13, 2025 | 6-7:15 PM | Enter Zoom Meeting Here |
Application Closes | Tue, March 4, 2025 | 5 PM | |
Tentative Interviews | March 11-12, 2025 | 4-8 PM | West Valley College, Fox 201 & 202 |
Middle College Offers are distributed | March 13-14, 2025 | Via Email | |
Open House Q&A for Admitted Students | Wed, March 19, 2025 |
West Valley College, Fox 201
|
|
Student Deadline to Accept Offer | Thur, March 20, 2025 | 9 PM | |
Student Orientation:
(New Seniors)
|
Tue, March 25, 2025 | 5-7 PM | West Valley College, Fox 120 |
Student Orientation:
(Juniors; Last Names M-Z)
|
Wed, March 26, 2025 | 5-7 PM | West Valley College, Fox 120 |
Student Orientation: (Juniors; Last Names A-L)
|
Thur, March 27, 2025 | 5-7 PM | West Valley College, Fox 120 |
Application Process
Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance into the Middle College Program. To be considered a candidate for enrollment in the Middle College Program, a student must:
- Attend the Mandatory Family Information Night (specific dates are included in "2025-2026 Application Dates & Deadlines" section).
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.8 (unweighted or weighted)
- Submit the online application, which includes:
- Three (3) Recommendation Forms: 2 from a core subject high school teacher (English, Social Studies, Math, or Science) and 1 from your high school counselor (links to the Recommendation Forms are included in the application, which applicants will share with their respective recommenders)
- Upload a typed, double-spaced 2.5 - 3 page analytical essay responding to a short story included in the application
- Short answers responding to application questions
- Upload a writing sample of a recently graded analytical essay (English preferred)
- Students may be invited to attend an Interview. Check your personal email address that you reported on the application for an application status update and/or final status.
Benefits
- Complete high school graduation requirements and earn college credit (dual enrollment)
- Opportunity for 11th and 12th graders to become more self-sufficient in a mature and academic setting
- Offers a smoother transition from high school to college
- Opportunity to save up to 2 years of tuition fees
- Variety of class selection in a challenging and supportive environment
- Flexible schedule
Program Requirements
- Have and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8.
- Students are required to pass all West Valley College courses and Middle College classes per semester and session with a “C” or better, including the summer term at the start of the program.
- Students must receive letter grades for all West Valley College classes that offer letter grades. Students cannot opt for Pass/No Pass grades unless that is the only grading option available.
- Students are required to plan and monitor their academic progress through graduation. Students are encouraged to take advantage of West Valley College Support Services.
- D or F Grades and Probation:
-
- Please refer to the Student & Parent/Guardian Agreement.
- Incomplete Grades:
- Students receiving an Incomplete issued by the WVC instructor will have one year to resolve the Incomplete grade for a letter grade unless faculty indicates an earlier due date for completion of work. If the grade is not resolved within the given timeline, the Incomplete grade will result in an F.
Graduation:
- Middle College students receive a diploma from their high school and participate in the high school graduation ceremony.
- Middle College students should always list themselves as a high school student from their home high school (using the home high school CEEB Code) when applying for college admission, scholarships, financial aid or standardized tests.
Student & Parent/Guardian Agreement
- The student must complete and pass a minimum of 6 and/or a maximum of 11 West Valley College units each semester with at least a C or better. Enrollment is limited to 11 units for each regular semester (FALL and SPRING). Winter and Summer sessions are optional, and students can enroll in a maximum of 2 classes or up to 8 units for Summer session or 7 units for Winter session. A petition can be submitted for students requesting to register between 12-15 units per semester. Mission College classes are not reflected on the high school transcript except for the following cases and when prior approval from the high school counselor has been granted: a) it meets a graduation requirement or b) it meets the 6-unit minimum requirement.
- Parents/guardians must email Middle College staff of an absence prior to the beginning of that day’s class. Students are responsible for notifying college professors of any absences and make up the work they missed.
- All Middle College high school and college classes must be passed (with a “C” or better) each semester in order to continue participation in the Middle College Program. A “D” in any WVC and Mission College class in any term (including Summer and Winter) will automatically be reviewed by the Middle College Administration and may result in probation. The student must work with their counselor to address their probationary status. If a student earns another D or F grade in the following term, the student will be returned to their home high school. If they earn a C- or better in all classes, they are no longer considered probationary status. An “F” or 2 “D”s in any term will result in an automatic return to their home high school. It is expected for students to remain in the Middle College Program for at least one full school year.
- Students must abide by the West Valley College Student Code of Conduct, including non-plagiarism, and the local, state, and federal laws while also understanding that behavior not consistent with these standards will be subject to disciplinary measures.
- Students may enroll in no more than 1 PE (KINS or DANC) course per semester or term, and students may enroll in no more than 1 online course per semester or term. (This is in addition to the Middle College classes.)
- Incoming Juniors must complete a Counseling class (COUN 005: College Success) during their first year in the program. New seniors must complete a Counseling class (COUN 005: College Success) before the end of their senior year.
- All college classes must be taken for a letter grade. A Pass/No Pass grade is only allowed if that is the only grading option available.
- West Valley College course progress and grades are accessible to students only; a Parent/Guardian portal through West Valley College is not available. Counselors will notify families of students earning a D or F grade during the following grading periods: 6-week grading period, 12-week grading period, Early Progress Form (mid-semester grade check for college classes), and at the end of each semester.
Attendance Reporting & Agreement
Attendance Agreement:
- Attendance in both Middle College high school classes and West Valley College classes is mandatory. Excessive absences may result in a student’s removal from the program. Any extended absences from college classes may jeopardize college grades and credit.
- Tardiness and leaving classes early are disruptive to the learning process and could impact a student’s academic success. Students are required to be on time and stay for the full class period.
- Students are responsible for notifying West Valley faculty of absences. Students are responsible for getting missed assignments and making arrangements with the instructors to turn in any late assignments.
- Parents or guardians must email the Middle College instructors regarding their student’s absence(s), even if the student turns 18 while enrolled in the program.
- Students have the number of days equivalent to those missed to make up the requirements.
- For other specific attendance and tardy policies for the Middle College classes, please see the teachers’ course syllabi.
- Students attending Middle College will follow the Middle College academic calendar.
- Students may not be on a high school campus during the school day without prior permission from their home school. Students must fill out the Participation in Home High School Activities Form and must sign-in and out when entering and leaving their home high school campus.
West Valley College Campus Resources
Middle College Handbook 2024-2025
Frequently Asked Questions