Starting this fall, the Palo Alto Unified School District will open Middle College High School, hosting up to 120 rising sophomores and juniors.
Middle College is designed to be an alternative pathway for students who want a different experience to thrive academically and socially, PAUSD Superintendent Don Austin said. PAUSD will also include a Middle College student board representative, alongside Gunn and Palo Alto High representatives.
The new school is located in a building on the Foothill Community College campus specifically for Middle College students, with six classrooms and three offices. The faculty will consist of principal Emily Garrison, a counselor, three math, English and social science PAUSD teachers, a secretary and a special education case manager. Staffing may expand depending on student enrollment, according to the Middle College information session presentation.
“Gunn isn’t a good fit for me,” said current Gunn sophomore Alisa Sonehara, who plans to attend Middle College next year. “[Middle College] will be the perfect opportunity for me to grow more independently and be surrounded by people who are goal-driven and can inspire me.”
PAUSD previously partnered with MVLA’s Middle College program, and PAUSD juniors currently enrolled in the program will spend their senior year there. According to Austin, having a PAUSD-owned program allows the school to select its own teachers, as well as offer on-site counseling, Special Education and mental health support.
Middle College will offer both high school classes and Foothill’s college elective courses, with both asynchronous and synchronous options. The program allows students to fulfill their high school graduation requirements while also receiving college credits, according to the Middle College information session presentation. Students will still be able to participate in certain extracurricular activities, including sports, at their home schools.
“I’ve been able to focus on computer science and math, but I’ve also been taking piano and I’m looking into psychology, music technology and maybe even archery,” said Sofia Buka, a Gunn junior enrolled in MVLA’s Middle College program. “I also have a much more flexible schedule, and I don’t have to go to class for seven hours a day like Gunn.”
Students will be split into morning and afternoon cohorts, which gives students “a ton of freedom,” Austin said.
The concept of a “third high school” was initially proposed eight years ago, but was delayed due to COVID-19 and personnel changes. The PAUSD Middle College program finally came to fruition this year, when innovation was added to the PAUSD Promise as a priority goal. The board plans to expand enrollment to all grades in the next few years.
“It’s not for everybody, but it’s going to be a place that’s gonna be a perfect fit for some students,” Austin said.
