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MDUSD's "College Now" program at DVC is accepting applications for 2025-26 through Feb. 13!

MDUSD's "College Now" program at DVC is accepting applications for 2025-26 through Feb. 13!

College Now, MDUSD's "middle college," is recruiting 11th and 12th graders for the 2025-2026 school year. Through a partnership with Diablo Valley College (DVC), College Now allows students to start college while they are still in high school. College Now students attend both high school and college classes on DVC's campus, using those college classes to meet graduation and college entrance requirements. Students in the alternative high school program also have the opportunity to explore possible career interests. The goal is for all College Now graduates to finish high school with at least one year of college completed. This head start on college saves both time and money when students go on to complete college.  

Over the last several weeks, College Now presented to 10th graders at all of District high schools. College Now will host two parent information nights next month:

  • February 5 at MDUSD's Willow Creek Center and
  • February 11 at Mt. Diablo High School

The February 5 meeting will also have a virtual option. Please see the attached flyers for more information. Applications are due on February 13. 

Started in 2016-17, College Now is targeted toward students who are self-motivated, independent learners seeking more academic rigor in a supportive community of teachers, counselors and tutors. This includes students who may feel disconnected from their regular high school, who are able to do college-level work and are looking for something different. The program has received a $250,000 Middle College/Early College grant from the state to expand from its original 60 students (30 juniors and 30 seniors) up to 120 students This year, about 98 students are enrolled in the program, including juniors Nathan Torres and Zahra Almukter, who previously attended Mt. Diablo HS and Concord HS respectively. They both highly recommend the program and say it provided them with a "fresh start" on a college campus in a small community of students, teachers and counselors that feels like a family, where everyone treats each other with respect and cares about each other. "I view DVC as my second home," Nathan said. "I'm enjoying my time here." 

They both work outside of school and say they appreciate the program's focus on making connections between what they are learning in class to their lives, which makes classes relevant and engaging. Both said they have grown and matured since starting the program last semester, gaining confidence in their academic abilities, as well as in their social, emotional, public speaking and life skills. They were both seeking new challenges and are excited to be part of a diverse student population that includes teens as well as adults in their college classes. "There are a lot of different people and they all have their own stories and we all learn from each other," Zahra said. They said teachers, counselors and tutors give constructive feedback on assignments and in one-on-one meetings that helps them to think critically, overcome struggles and reflect on their short-term goals and their long-term goals after graduation. For example, Zahra said math teacher Ms. Higby encourages students to ask questions if they don't understand something. "I find that so helpful, because if you're able to pinpoint your confusion, you can work through it," she said. "Teachers here want the best for their students."

Social Studies teacher Erica Shaw, who often posts on social media about students' educational experiences, said, "I teach in College Now to empower all students to analyze the world around them so they can create the future they want for themselves and their community." Counselor Rima Boujaoude added: "I came to College Now because it provides a unique opportunity for students to be a part of a smaller learning community, and allows me to get to know each student as an individual, which is a challenge in a comprehensive high school setting. I firmly believe in the program's commitment to constantly striving to break down barriers to higher education, as well as to other postsecondary options, so all students can recognize their full potential."

Check out the College Now Social Media highlights below to see how students have started off this school year.

College Now flyer

 

College Now flyer
College Now students

College Now juniors Nathan Torres and Zahra Almukter stand in the Diablo Valley College quad on a break between high school and college classes on the campus.

College Now highlights

College Now students participate in a variety of fun and educational activities throughout the year. Recent social media highlights include: US History students used AI to generate Funko Pop industrialists and labor organizers as they learned about industrialization and the Gilded Age, Seniors participated an in “Econ Island” simulation that required them to determine economic goals and set up their own societies, in a community-building activity, students got to know each other better through “speed dating” style conversations, and Students finished the first week of the 2nd semester reviewing their “why we are here” statements, then participating in a paper airplane competition and trivia game including current events questions.

  • College Now