Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. You are still a student of the Sequoia Union High School District and your diploma will come from your home high school.  All the SUHSD graduation requirements still apply; however, now you can take classes at Cañada College and earn both high school and college credit for the same class. Middle College holds its own graduation celebration; however, students may choose to also participate in the cap and gown ceremony at their home high school.

All different kinds of students attend Middle College. Some students need to get away from the social scene at high school and are looking for a more mature environment. Other students want to take more advanced classes than what is offered at the high school. Some of our students are looking for a greater challenge and many find they are ready to move forward with their education.

Yes. Both the college classes and the high school classes are taught at Cañada College. Students will not take any classes at their home high school. Students may also take classes at the College of San Mateo and Skyline College. Students must take at least three college classes, totaling a minimum of seven units each semester. With our guidance, students choose classes from the regular college schedule. Professors are not alerted as to which students are Middle College students until midway through the semester when progress reports are sent out.

College classes are not modified in any way for Middle College students; our students are expected to meet the same course requirements as all other college students.

The homework load varies based on the type of classes a student takes. In general, there is far more reading required and fewer written assignments. Often a course will consist of two midterms and a final, with few, if any, smaller homework assignments. 

The AP program at the high schools represents a specially designed curriculum, crafted to aid students in passing the AP test in May. If students do well on the test, they may earn college credit for that subject. Students in Middle College take regular college classes each semester, enabling them to earn transferable college credit without being limited by the number or type of AP classes offered by the high school. For students who are interested in AP classes due to the increased rigor, credit opportunity and cost savings, Middle College is especially practical since every class taken at Cañada offers the same incentives as an AP-level class at the high school - with the added bonus of a much wider selection of classes from which to choose. 

No, the high school English and social studies classes are college-preparatory level classes, not AP or AS classes.  However, the high school classes are more rigorous and tailored like college classes more than traditional high school classes. Many of the texts used are from the AP reading list.

Yes. You will need to get a guest pass from your home high school and have one of the Middle College teachers sign it. You may also go back to watch games or take part in extracurricular activities, as long as they don’t interfere with your Middle College schedule.

Yes. You still need to be enrolled in three college classes and the three Middle College classes, and you need to maintain a 2.0 GPA. Also, Middle College classes end at 3:05; you will not be allowed to leave early to get to practice, so you need to talk to your coach about when you can get to practice. You will be allowed to leave early on game days, provided you have talked to the Middle College teachers earlier in the day about what you will miss. 

No. Middle College students are not eligible to play on college teams; however, they can take part in campus clubs, student government, and other extracurricular activities. 

The four Middle College teachers also act as advisors for students. All students meet regularly with their Middle College advisors to discuss their academic progress and educational plans, and Advisory class is held once a week for students to meet with their advisor and advisory group.  

This is discouraged, but there is a two week add/drop period at the beginning of each semester, allowing students to change classes if needed. Advisors will help students make the decision to add or drop a class. 

We prefer that students take responsibility for communicating with their professors to discuss their progress in class. The Middle College staff solicits progress reports from professors at least once a semester; these progress reports are then sent home to parents. Should you want more frequent updates, please allow the Middle College staff to contact the professor and relay the information to you.

You will need to register at Carlmont, EPAA, Menlo-Atherton, Sequoia, or Woodside. Instructions for how to do this will be provided upon acceptance to the program.

Students may choose to go back to their home high schools at the end of a semester; they may also be sent back if they earn failing grades in their MC or college courses. Returning mid-semester is not advised as it could result in credit loss.

While there is no way for us to know that or make a statement that can apply to all college admissions scenarios, it is helpful to consider the following: being in Middle College allows a student to prove that they can succeed in the college environment and begin establishing a college-level academic record while still in high school. It also demonstrates that a student is willing to take on a challenge and try something new and unique in their educational pathway!