Middle School Students Could Soon Earn College credits Through New Santa Clara County Program
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA – A groundbreaking proposal could allow middle school students in Santa Clara County to begin earning college credits, potentially accelerating their path to higher education and addressing critical workforce needs. Spearheaded by a local educator, the initiative aims to partner with City College of San Francisco and local universities to offer specialized coursework to qualified students.
The program, currently under development, focuses on providing early access to higher education, particularly in high-demand fields like Alcohol and Drug Studies. Proponents say it’s a response to a growing need for skilled professionals in Santa Clara County’s expanding healthcare and social services sectors, while together offering motivated students a head start on their college careers. The proposal is currently under review by district executives and will require approval from the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s office, with applications due January 15.
“There’s a momentum to it,” said program architect and educator, Cook, who has already secured letters of support from San Jose State University’s School of Social Work and UC Santa Cruz. “San Jose State, School of Social Work – yeah, please do it – UC Santa Cruz gave me a letter saying yes, let’s do it.”
The program’s viability hinges on demonstrating a clear workforce demand. Leandra Canion, a former student of Cook’s and an employee of Pathway Society, a local alcohol and drug treatment provider, highlighted the opportunities available. “There’s opportunities for middle management, more administrative positions, operations managers, clinical coordinators,” Canion explained, speaking near the future site of a men’s detox facility. “To give them a sense of hope, to give them a chance, an opportunity, to make changes, lifesaving changes.”
Cook and district officials are scheduled to meet Thursday to further discuss the proposal and outline the rigorous review process required for implementation. If approved, the program could represent a important shift in access to higher education for students in Santa Clara County.
