Schools

Saddleback College Expands Partnership with Local High Schools

Now more schools will enjoy a formal relationship with the region's community college.

Saddleback College is about to roll out a new partnership with local schools to better prepare students for life after high school.

The High School Partnership Program comes with a Gaucho Guarantee. Here's how Saddleback President Tod Burnett explains the guarantee:

"If a student follows all the steps, along with the support of their school, parents and our college, that student is going to succeed, no matter what they do."

The HPSS is the first formal relationship between Saddleback and local schools. It was approved in August by the Capistrano Unified School District, said Leslie Humphrey, Saddleback's director of outreach and recruitment. She said Saddleback Unified is expected to approve the partnership in early October.

Humphrey said the program is designed to cater to students eager to get college-ready, as well as under-performing students.

"It’s not just for the one who is looking for higher courses, but a student who maybe isn’t in the courses they should be in at that level," she said. " What we can do is supplement some programs through our community education to get that student up to speed so they’re on track."       

The HPSS pilot program began at San Juan Hills High. It allow Stallions to take a college course during the regular school day. The classes count as electives in high school and transfer to colleges after graduation.


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