• 8th grader taking math at Vista
• Taking college classes concurrently with high school
• More Advice about Community Colleges

My son and his friend, entering Albany High School, are planning/hoping to take intermediate algebra in summer school, after taking algebra I this year. It meets 4 nights per week, and I've told him to expect about 3 hours homework per day. Has anyone had kids who have (1) done intermediate algebra at Vista after high school algebra 1, and (2) done a summer course of this type? Both kids are bright, good in math, like it fast-paced, and enjoy it. They like the idea of doing it at night and still having some day time to play, we parents like the idea of them being busy, engaged, and out in the world on their own in a safe way, but I'm just a little worried that the jump from high school to college math will be much greater than we expect, and the pace will be more than they're up to. Finally (3) what type of students are they likely to find in a summer night course? Dana

In addition, parents need to be aware that selective colleges and universities expect students to take math throughout their high school careers. This is great for students who love math. It becomes a nightmare for students who thought they were accelerating to get out of math sooner. A student who takes math analysis (precalculus) as a 9th grader is headed for upper division math at Cal (community colleges don't offer upper division courses) before s/he graduates from high school. Some thrive--but many don't.

Judith Bodenhausen Math department Head, BHS

Taking college classes concurrently with high school

My child is a senior at BHS this year and has only two more required courses to take. Although she has done quite well, she has not enjoyed her experience at BHS, and would like to take only the minimum courses still needed to graduate and then take two or three other classes at Vista or UCBerkeley through extension.

My questions are: 1) has anyone had any experience with this type of split schedule (i.e. half at BHS and half off campus); 2) can it be done under the "regular" BHS program? 3) Can it be done under the independent study program?

I would appreciate answers to these specific questions, as well as any advice on how to find a way to devise a "split" program.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Malcolm

Your daughter can take Vista classes by filling out a concurrent enrollment form. After she fills it out, she gets a counselor signature and then Ms. Mellion, the registrar, puts an official seal on it. She should take the classes for college credit rather than high school credit.

A couple years ago, some of my students took English 1A and did very well. That meant they had completed one semester of the UC freshman required English so that when they went to U.C. Davis and U.C. Berkeley they could start at the second semester English course, 1B. One of my students also started courses in his junior year with the idea that he would complete at least one year toward an AA by the time he left BHS. It was too much for him to accomplish that with double period science and higher math but he did complete 3-4 courses.

Vista classes may have already started so your daughter might want to get on this right away or she might want to wait until spring. Vista finals often conflict with BHS classes toward the middle of January but all my students who have done this have been able to work it out and "do it all."

As far as the minimum number of classes/periods, I really don't know what it is for this year. Last year it was at least 4 periods. I'm not sure who makes that decision but you might wish to check with Rory Bled, college advisor or Mary Ann Valles, VP in charge of student services. Rory makes the case that colleges look to make sure that the students are taking at least 4 college level courses per semester.

Cost of Vista classes for concurrent enrollment is 0, however there is a cost for books, etc. I was recently told that if a person wanted college credit that it would be the regular amount which is somewhere around $11-$13 a unit. (I haven't had the time to follow through on finding out if that is correct or not).

Hope this has been useful.

Flora Russ --
Computer Science Department and Computer Academy
Berkeley High School

BTW: I did something like this in my high school career in the late 70's (in San Jose). It is certainly feasible to do, though the differing academic schedules can cause some complications (competing finals schedules, for instance). I had to get special permission to be off campus for part of my high school day, in order to bike over to the JC, and then come back for my last class on the high school campus. It does take some discipline to pull it off, but it also gets you ahead in your college career. I definitely think it was a good idea for me, and it sounds like a good idea for your child.
Good luck! Dawn

One more note about high school students attending Vista classes. While community college is a tremendous bargain to start with ($11 per unit), we were told that there is NO tuition for high school students at Vista. The only costs are for books (which may be horrid); registration is free and can be done online. Altogether a wonderful expenditure of our tax dollars. Stephen