Facts about Middle College High School at Seattle University

What is Middle College High School?

Middle College is an alternative high school, administered by the Seattle Public School District. It is open to all high school students, 16 and older, who are looking for an educational option to prepare for college and complete their high school graduation requirements in a small school setting.

Read more about Middle College in Community Connections.

History and Seattle Locations

The first Middle College High School opened in New York in the 1970s. Seattle Central Community College, led by SU College of Education alumna Dr. Julie Hungar, opened the first MC site in Seattle in 1991 (it has been housed at Northgate Mall for the past 11 years). South Seattle Community College opened in 1996,  and the University of Washington followed in 1998. In 2001, the American Indian Heritage School (located at the Wilson Pacific Center) joined Middle College. Currently, the partners included Seattle University, University of Washington, Simon Youth Foundation (Northgate Mall), High Point Neighborhood House and Seattle Schools (Indian Heritage).  Visit the Seattle Public Schools Middle College site.

Who will be served at Middle College High School at Seattle University?

A maximum of 50 students will be enrolled in the 2012-13 school year (40 on campus and 10 distance learners). Students are ages 16 to 20 and have a minimum of 10 credits from a previous high school experience (usually at a comprehensive high school in Seattle Public Schools).  

Is there a connection to the Seattle University Youth Initiative?

Yes. A special focus is placed on outreach and recruitment of youth living in the Seattle University Youth Initiative neighborhood.

What does a typical school day look like? 


Students start at 9 a.m. (breakfast is at 8:30). There are usually three periods. Most mornings consist of core classes (humanities or math/science). Afternoons tend to be student-directed or include special programming (special guest speakers on Fridays). The day finishes at 2:30 or earlier. Breakfast and lunch are delivered each day from SPS. 


Can MCHS students receive college credit? 


Students in MCHS have the option to take community college, college-level courses free of charge through Running Start. These courses can transfer as credit to any institution of higher learning.

What facilities will MCHS students have access to on campus? 


While the college partnership is intended to allow students access to most facilities on campus, in the first year, MCHS students will have a gradual introduction into campus and will be supervised when they are not in the classroom. They will have full access to the Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons. Seattle Public Schools provides breakfast and lunch for students. All students will have public privileges.

How can my department become involved with Middle College High School? 


Having upper-level high school students on campus provides many unique learning opportunities for a variety of colleges and departments to connect research and practice and apply learning immediately to a classroom of high school students. For example, the law school teaches a class on street law. Please contact Anthony Longoria for more information on how to connect the students in your college with MCHS.

What is the timeline for Middle College at Seattle University?

Students were interviewed and selected this summer and are currently attending classes at a temporary location at the Wilson-Pacific Center at 1330 N. 90th Street. The students will move into the first floor of Loyola Hall during Fall Quarter 2012. There will be an open house in January 2013. Graduation will be in June.

October 2012 –final stages of transition planning and move-in process begins
November 13, 2012 – Students begin classes in Loyola Hall
January 24, 2013  –  Open House 1-3 p.m., Casey Commons
June 13 – Graduation Ceremony

Why did SPS choose SU? 
 

Middle College partners with institutions of higher education to give their students the opportunity to experience a college campus so they can be inspired to think about college and careers. Providing social justice and education to underserved students is a shared vision between SU and MCHS.

The Seattle University College of Education’s mission to prepare leaders and teachers to work toward social justice in schools makes the partnership a perfect fit. Teacher candidates, students in the School Counseling, School Psychology and Curriculum and Instruction programs are just a few who will be able to put into practice what they’ve learned in their classrooms in Loyola Hall into Middle College classrooms on the first floor.

SU’s partnership objectives:

• Meet the educational needs and invest in the youth of our SUYI neighborhood
• See all students as potential college students
• Prepare students to enter college
• Provide enriching and supportive college environment on a campus focused on educating the whole person
• Provide professional development for MCHS faculty
• Assist with the development of innovative curriculum 

What is the profile of a MCHS student? 


Students attend Middle College High School because they want to graduate. They self-select because they see a future for themselves despite the adversity they may have experienced at home or the challenges they may have met in a traditional high school. Many are bright students who find a smaller environment to be more suitable for them to succeed. According to Beth Brunton, who has taught in MC for 11 years, “They have a spark. They have never been told they can succeed and many are first generation high school graduates. They are extraordinary young people who, with a little help, can do extraordinary things.” According to Beth, it is not an easy decision to leave the traditions of high school – sports, friends, dances, etc. It takes courage, discipline, hard work and persistence, but last year, 67 students graduated from MCHS, and 18 went to college.

Is it possible for MC students to attend SU?

Many will have the grades, but most will not have the resources. Our goal is to ensure that every student is competitive for admission and scholarships at institutions of higher learning. We will be moving toward discussions about scholarships to help our MCHS students attend college. 

Meet The SU Middle College Team

Cindy Nash, Principal, has served in a variety of roles with SPS since 1989 and has been principal of Middle College since 2010. She oversees all five locations. She most recently served as principal of Interagency, an alternative secondary school. Cindy has an M.Ed. from the University of Washington and holds an Administrator credential. cortega@seattleschools.org

Beth Brunton, J.D., Seattle Public Schools, MCHS Site Coordinator and Humanities Teacher, teaches all Humanities courses. Beth earned a B.A. in Economics and Education from the University of Michigan and a law degree (J.D.) and Certificate of Educational Leadership from the University of Washington. She has been a teacher at the Northgate location for the past 11 years.  Email Beth Brunton

Dr. Charisse Cowan Pitre, Associate Professor, College of Education and Middle College Partnership Director, is an Associate Professor for the Master In Teaching program at SU. She has been involved in the Seattle University Youth Initiative since its launch, serving as a Community-based Research Faculty Fellow and an Advisory Board member. Dr. Cowan Pitre’s research interests include the development of teachers for social change and equity in education related to issues of college preparation and readiness among P-12 students from underrepresented groups. Email Dr. Cowan Pitre

Patty Borman, MCHS Math/Science Teacher, studied at the University of Wisconsin and completed her B.Sc. Ed at Fairhaven College: Western Washington University. She has taught for more than15 years for Seattle Public Schools. In addition she taught for the Coyote School, UW Continuing Education, Fred Hutch Bridge Project, School to Works Project Learning and the Cascade Sustainability Project. Email Patty Borman

Anthony Longoria, Pre-Doctoral Fellow, graduated in 2010 from Seattle University’s Master in Teaching program. He will help to establish community and Seattle University partnerships with Middle College and provide instructional support for the Middle College faculty and teach a weekly college and career readiness class to the Middle College students. Email Anthony Longoria
 
Jennifer Spigner, MC Administrative Coordinator, completed her B.S. in Psychology at the University of Oregon. She has worked with Middle College for several years. Email Jennifer Spigner 


Media Contacts:
Paula Hermann | Director of Marketing|College of Education | 206-296-6966 

Stacy Howard | Media Relations Coordinator |Seattle University | 206-296-6114
Lesley Rogers | Chief Communications Officer |Seattle 
Public Schools | 206-252-0198 

For more information, visit: www.seattleu.edu/coe/middlecollegehighschool