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Published on 07/13/1998 All articles from this issue

Freshmen get a head start through MV-LA program

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By Linda Taaffe

Town Crier Staff Writer

Derrick Prodigalidad said he used to break out into a sweat when imagining what his first day at Los Altos High School would be like this fall. But since enrolling in the state-sponsored Advancement Via Individual Determination Bridge Program, the 14-year-old said he doesn't worry anymore.

"Before I only knew a few people going into (Los Altos High)," he said. "Now I know a lot more. I already feel like I fit in."

Through the program, freshmen entering the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District, get a head start on high school. Students in the five-week program take English, math and writing and two elective classes at Los Altos High. They also participate in group activities designed to build confidence.

Program coordinator Keren Robertsen said the goal of the program is to provide guidance, academic support and resources to students entering high school.

Students must apply for the program in eighth grade with the intention of staying in the program throughout high school. The high school program prepares students for college. Students in the program enroll in one class per semester where they visit colleges, fill out college applications or receive academic assistance.

"These students don't necessarily always have the best grades, but they have a strong desire to go to college. They're prepared to take college prep courses, " said Robertsen about the students chosen for the summer program. "The goal of the program is to support minority students or those who are the first in the family to go to college,"

Robertsen said approximately 34 students are enrolled in this year's summer program.

She said the program also benefits junior and senior students at the high school. All eight of the program's teachers must be recent graduates or current students at Los Altos High, she said.

"The philosophy is that there is no better way to model students than for them to see teachers who look like themselves, acting as role models," Robertsen said.

Robertsen said a high percentage of students in the program do go on to college.

Graduate Melissa Koh and senior Lisa Beard created "Pulp Science," an elective science class that exposes students to different kinds of sciences such as biology and environmental studies. This is the second year that both of them have taught in the program.

Koh said she never planned to be a teacher. She said the program "just sounded like something I could do. I love it."