An ariel shot of Middle College High School

In recognition of its commitment to providing a quality and equitable education and high student success rates, Middle College High School (MCHS) has been honored with a 2024 Exemplary Dual Enrollment Award from the California Department of Education.

"The whole school is excited, and the parents are extremely excited," MCHS Principal James Espinoza said. "We're excited not just for ourselves, but also because it's an acknowledgment of the work we've been doing the last 11 years, work centered around equality and closing gaps for previously underserved students. Everything we've been doing in the last 11 years has been intentional and by design."

MCHS partners with San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) and the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) to offer an alternative to traditional high school, with students earning college credit. Most are the first in their families to attend college and came to MCHS underperforming in relation to their ability.

SBVC counselors develop educational plans for each student and revisit them every semester, and the goal is to graduate with a high school diploma, an associate's degree, and/or an Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) certification, allowing them to attend UC or CSU colleges.

"Together, Valley and San Bernardino Unified School District and Middle College students and staff are able to close the gap on going to college and college completion and able to change the perception of what first-generation students can do," Espinoza said.

The school's numbers speak for themselves — the Class of 2023 had a 100 percent graduation rate, with each student walking away with at least 50 college credits. Nearly 50 percent earned associates degrees, 62 percent had IGETC certification, and all were accepted to four-year colleges.

Middle College High School celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2024.