SCHOOL-WITHIN-A-SCHOOL SET AT MOORPARK GIFTED 11TH- AND 12TH-GRADERS COULD GRADUATE AND START COLLEGE CLASSES AT THE SAME TIME.Byline: Paul O'Donoghue Staff Writer MOORPARK - Come September, about 100 gifted high school students who don't thrive on traditional campuses will be able to continue their schooling at Moorpark College Moorpark College is a California-state funded community college located on a 134 acre (542,000 m²) property reclining on a hill in Moorpark, a town in Ventura County, California. , earning high school and college credits simultaneously. The new program, called a middle college high school, is a first for Ventura County and is based on similar collaborations between school districts and community colleges across the country, officials said. ``It's a way to encourage young people to go to college, which is what we're all about,'' said Moorpark College President Jim Walker Jim Walker (né James Donat Walker) (born 1955 in Edmonton) was the original drummer of Public Image Ltd. in 1978. In 1977 he played drums for Canadian punk band The Furies and moved to London in October 1977. . ``We lose a lot of kids between high school and college that never finish high school and go to college, and we're trying to provide that link and avenue for them to follow by coming here. ``They can start college course work and finish high school all at the same time. It's a win-win situation.'' The program, which is still in the planning stages, is a cooperative effort between Moorpark College and the Conejo Valley The Conejo Valley is a region spanning both Southeastern Ventura County and Northwest Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States. It was discovered in 1542 by Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, and eventually became part of the Rancho El Conejo land grant by , Moorpark, Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. and possibly Oak Park school districts. The junior and senior students eligible to attend what officials call the school-within-a-school will come from those districts, said Andi Mallen, a 12-year counselor at Moorpark High School Moorpark High School, located in Moorpark, California, is a public high school in the Moorpark Unified School District and currently has an enrollment of 2,478 students.[1] who will become principal of the new school July 1. ``It is an attempt to create a program for gifted at-risk juniors and seniors,'' said Mallen. ``Basically, it's for students that are disengaged dis·en·gage v. dis·en·gaged, dis·en·gag·ing, dis·en·gag·es v.tr. 1. To release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles. See Synonyms at extricate. 2. and disinterested Free from bias, prejudice, or partiality. A disinterested witness is one who has no interest in the case at bar, or matter in issue, and is legally competent to give testimony. in attending high school.'' Mallen said the courses will be taught by high school teachers and Moorpark College instructors. Students will be encouraged to participate in Moorpark College's so- called institutes of learning, where students learn several interrelated in·ter·re·late tr. & intr.v. in·ter·re·lat·ed, in·ter·re·lat·ing, in·ter·re·lates To place in or come into mutual relationship. in subjects. For instance, students could learn Spanish, philosophy and math by exploring themes common among the three subjects. Mallen said students will be recommended by school counselors A school counselor is a counselor and educator who works in schools, and have historically been referred to as "guidance counselors" or "educational counselors," although "Professional School Counselor" is now the preferred term. , parents and teachers, and she hopes the school will grow to include about 350 students eventually. The program will be funded by a $150,000 annual state grant recently awarded to Moorpark College, as well as the regular state funds provided to school districts based on students' daily attendance. Moorpark interim Superintendent Frank DePasquale praised the proposed program. ``I think it gives our young people another option,'' said DePasquale. ``There are a number of young people who don't fit into the traditional high school milieu and need another environment, and some students do well in alternative settings,'' he said. ``We're really every excited because it provides young people with another option. I think the old walls between high school and college are breaking down because our society demands it, and we have some young people prepared to meet the challenge in a college-type setting.'' |
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