Summit Deputy Editor 

Grossmont’s best kept secret may be Grossmont Middle College, a career-driven high school within our very own campus. In fact, 80 high school juniors and seniors currently call Grossmont College home.

The limited enrollment leads to small class sizes, which allow teachers more availability to reach out to every one of their students, and also allows the program to provide laptops for each student, although students are welcome to bring their own laptops from home.

Students enrolled in the program take honors-level English and social science classes with high school instructors, as well as complete at least six units of college classes each semester. They must also identify a career pathway and complete a 70-hour career-related internship each semester.

When asked to compare her old high school to Grossmont Middle College, junior Alexandra Bockert said that she thought the college courses were harder.

“But it’s less work, just more difficult,” said Bockert, who added that through this program she feels she is “doing something worthwhile.”

Junior Dawson Nolan a said the program has helped him a lot: “My grades are better … I feel like I’m learning more.”

Nolan also said the program has allowed him a new sense of freedom in being able to choose his classes.

In its 14th year, the program allows its students the option to play sports at their old high school. They also get to plan out their future college years with counselor Sharon Neumann.

English teacher April Baker said the program lets teachers “get to know students,” leading to a mutual trust that makes students “not afraid to fail.” Unlike many traditional high schools, the Grossmont Middle College pushes students to try harder and open up to new experiences like internships.

The program is accepting applications for next year’s 11th grade class through April 3. For more information, call 619-644-7524 or visit middlecollege.guhsd.net.