DECEMBER 2019 MARKETPLACECONTRACOSTA.COM 29
Generally, that answer is because
many students want a traditional
high school experience, and
MCHS is not a traditional high
school.
“We’re a very unique program,”
Prak explained. “Our program
is not structured like other high
schools, and our students have to
be very mature and independent.”
There is no bell schedule at
MCHS, nor is there a sports
program. Students can still partake
in extra-curricular activities,
but that is to be done with an
arrangement at one of the other
high schools in the area.
“We do clubs and prom, but
some people just like that
social, traditional, high school
experience,” Prak said. “Every
kid comes here for their own
reasons. We have a lot of artistic
students here; ones who are okay
with avoiding the social pressures
of a traditional high school; ones
who are a little more mature and
just want to do their own thing
without having to deal with fitting
in with the mainstream groups.”
MCHS is, indeed, not for
everybody. But it’s certainly worth
looking into considering how
it can set students up for such
a bright future. A lot of MCHS
students excel in the areas of
science and math, especially in
nursing, pre-med, and engineering.
And it is a public school as well, so
all they’d have to do is apply as an
8th grader to be considered.
Earlier this year MCHS was
honored, alongside 162 middle
and high schools in the state, as
a 2019 Distinguished School by
State Superintendent of Public
Instruction Tony Thurmond.
Which only reinforces the fact
that the MCHS team is doing
great work.
“It’s a great recognition for our
students, and it’s just a testimony
that our program works,” Prak
said. “It means a lot as a positive
reflection not only for MCHS,
but for our district and for Contra
Costa Community College—this
partnership with the college has
been around since 1989.”
If you or someone you know
might benefit from what MCHS
can offer, give them a call now at
(510) 215-3881 or visit wccusd.
net/middlecollege. They are
located on the Contra Costa
College Campus at 2600 Mission
Bell Drive, San Pablo. Prak also
encourages parents and students
to meet with their middle school
counselors to see if this might be a
good fit for high school.
“A lot of our students are firstgeneration
to go to college, from
families and circumstances that are
challenging,” Prak explained. “So
they really pursue this program
to give them a leg up after high
school.”
Visit wccusd.net/middlecollege
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