Garfield High School
San Diego, California

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1994, the boards of the San Diego Unified School District and the San Diego Community College District approved requirements for a joint high school diploma program(JDP) for high school students who are 17 years and older who have only half the number of credits needed to earn a traditional high school diploma. In spring of 2000 Garfield High School and San Diego City College were a awarded a state legislature grant of $150,000 a year for five years to create City Middle College (CMC) to target seriously at- risk student who are 17 years and older, credit deficient with poor attendance, little success in high school and are without any long term education or career goals. Students have the opportunity to earn a joint diploma while gaining work experience and increased career opportunities through the extensive practical arts programs at San Diego City College. The League of Innovation of Community Colleges recently honored this project for its successes.

Garfield High School with its location on the campus of City College and block schedule make it possible for the CMC students to attend college and high school on alternate days. Students attend a ten week program that includes assessment, occupational counseling, career exploration, peer mentoring, work experience, academic tutoring, and counseling. At the end of the program the students complete a three-day internship and receive a $400.00 stipend.

The staff at City College is hand picked and works closely with the high school staff. Students earn 5 Y2 college credits and three to four high school credits. A recent survey of 97 students and showed 98 more college classes completed beyond CMC. In addition three out of five were currently enrolled in even more college classes.

An elite corps of paid college students mentor the CMC students often late at night and on the weekends. The close mentoring is essential to the success of these at -risk students. although the stipend is what initially draws the students, many of them recognize before they finish it that the credits, the experience, and the expansion of dreams is ultimately more important.