MSJC Board Approves Agreement with San Jacinto Unified on Middle College High School
5/18/2023
The Mt. San Jacinto Community College District (Mt. San Jacinto College/MSJC) and the San Jacinto Unified School District (SJUSD) are excited to announce a partnership to launch the San Jacinto Middle College High School, a program that is intended to provide a seamless pathway for students from high school to community college.
In an agreement approved by the MSJC Board of Trustees on May 11, 2023, the middle college high school will feature a collaborative high school model providing high school students direct access to college-level courses and services at MSJC's San Jacinto Campus. The courses offered under the middle college high school agreement are English, dance, biology, and art. The San Jacinto Campus will continue to serve the general college-student population. The one-year agreement is effective on July 1, 2023.
The program allows students to begin college-level coursework as they are finishing high school and prepare for either a four-year institution or receive their associate degree and enter the workforce.
Dr. Jeremy Brown, vice president of Instruction at MSJC, said the middle college high school will benefit the region. "This is an exciting agreement that enhances our already successful dual enrollment program. We are pleased to partner with the San Jacinto Unified School District and provide this opportunity to students," he said. "The middle college high school concept has shown to raise graduation rates and serves underrepresented populations. It will give high school students a jumpstart on their college coursework."
Joshua Rivera, president of the MSJC Board of Trustees, represents the Hemet-San Jacinto area. Rivera said he is pleased to see area students have convenient access to MSJC courses. “This innovative program is exciting for high school students,” Rivera said. “This partnership allows us to work together to ensure more students in our valley are college bound.”
During the past six months, San Jacinto Unified School District held numerous information and commitment meetings and are currently working with students who have enrolled in the Middle College High School to finalize application and orientation requirements.
Dr. David Pyle, the Superintendent of San Jacinto Unified School District, said he is grateful for this partnership that will continue to evolve for years to come.
“We are delighted that our students will have access to college level courses while pursuing their high school diploma. We are excited to expand program offerings to those who may not have considered higher education a realistic option,” Pyle said. “Our Board of Trustees continue to search for a variety of educational pathways for the SJUSD community, and the partnership with MSJC adds another option.”
The college district provides a safe learning environment for students through its agreement with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, the MSJC Campus Safety Office, and multiple security cameras at the campus. MSJC formed a similar agreement with the Beaumont Unified School District in 2022.
MSJC is one of California's 116 community colleges. It serves about 25,000 people annually throughout its 1,700-square-mile district. MSJC serves the general college-student population from campuses in San Jacinto, Menifee, and Temecula.