College Advantage Program

The program offers students a rigorous, academically focused environment. The program is housed entirely on the West Valley College campus. With a wide selection of clubs and athletic teams, students are actively involved in the extracurricular life at the college. Students can also participate in extracurricular activities at their home high school. They receive a diploma from their home high school and participate in their home school graduation ceremonies.

Under the guidance of their high school College Advantage counselor along with a West Valley College counselor, students select classes that meet high school graduation requirements while having access to a wider selection of electives. These classes could be credited towards their college degree and transferred to UC, CSU or private schools.

College Advantage is a Dual Enrollment program for high school students residing in the Campbell Union High School District or Los Gatos Saratoga Union High School District. Tuition and fees for this program are free.

• Complete high school graduation requirements and earn college credit (dual enrollment)
• Opportunity for12th graders to become more self-sufficient in a mature and academic setting
• Offers a smoother transition from high school to college
• Opportunity to save up to 1 year of tuition fees
• Variety of class selection in a challenging and supportive environment
• Flexible schedule

Application Process

Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance into the College Advantage Program. To be considered a candidate for enrollment in the College Advantage Program, a student must:

1. Attend the Family Information Night via Zoom (specific dates are included in "Application Dates & Deadlines" section).
2. Have a minimum 3.8 Unweighted or Weighted Total GPA
3. Submit the online application, which includes:
   1. Short answers responding to application questions
   2. Three (3) Recommendation Forms: 2 from a core subject high school teacher (English, Social Studies, Math, or Science) and 1 from your high school counselor (links to the Recommendation Forms are included in the application, which applicants will share with their respective recommenders)
4. Students may be invited to attend an Interview. Check your personal email address that you reported on the application for an application status update and/or final status.

Program Requirements:

All College Advantage students are required to register for 6-15 units for the Fall and Spring semesters for their senior year. These courses must include high school graduation requirements, which may consist of English (ENGL C1000 or ENGL 1B if AP English Language was completed), American Government (POLS C1000), Economics (ECON 1A or ECON 1B) as well as any outstanding requirements in their registration for the academic year. Students must also:

• Have and maintain a minimum a 3.8 Unweighted or Weighted Total GPA.
• Pass all West Valley College courses and College Advantage classes per semester and session with a “C” or better, including the optional summer term at the start of the program.
• Receive letter grades for all West Valley College classes that offer letter grades. Students cannot opt for Pass/No Pass grades unless that is the only grading option available.
• Plan and monitor their academic progress through graduation. Students are encouraged to take advantage of West Valley College Support Services.
• D or F Grades and Probation:
  
  • Please refer to the Student & Parent/Guardian Agreement.

• Incomplete Grades: 
  • Students receiving an Incomplete issued by the WVC instructor will have one year to resolve the Incomplete grade for a letter grade unless faculty indicates an earlier due date for completion of work. If the grade is not resolved within the given timeline, the Incomplete grade will result in an F.

Graduation:

• College Advantage students receive a diploma from their high school and participate in the high school graduation ceremony.
• College Advantage students should always list themselves as a high school student from their home high school (using the home high school CEEB Code) when applying for college admission, scholarships, financial aid or standardized tests.

Student & Parent/Guardian Agreement

• The student must complete and pass a minimum of 6 and/or a maximum of 15 West Valley College units each semester with at least a C or better. Enrollment is limited to 15 units for each regular semester (FALL and SPRING). Winter and Summer sessions are optional, and students can enroll in a maximum of 9 units for the Summer term and 6 units for the Winter term. Mission College classes are not reflected on the high school transcript except for the following cases and when prior approval from the high school counselor has been granted: 
  • it meets a graduation requirement
  • it meets the 6-unit minimum requirement.
• Attendance in all college classes is mandatory. Excessive absences may result in a student’s removal from the program. Any extended absences from college classes may jeopardize college grades and credit.
• Students are responsible for notifying college professors of any absences and make up the work they missed.
• All college classes must be passed (with a “C” or better) each semester in order to continue participation in the College Advantage Program. A “D” in any WVC and Mission College class in any term (including Summer and Winter) will automatically be reviewed by the College Advantage Administration and may result in Academic Pobation. The student must work with their counselor to address their probationary status and complete a Probation Support Plan. If a student earns another D or F grade in the following term, the student will be returned to their home high school. If they earn a C- or better in all classes, they are no longer placed on Academic Probation.
• It is expected for students to remain in the College Advantage Program for at least one full school year.
• Students must abide by the West Valley College Student Code of Conduct, including non-plagiarism, and the local, state, and federal laws while also understanding that behavior not consistent with these standards will be subject to disciplinary measures.
• Students may enroll in no more than 1 PE (KINS or DANC) course per semester or term, and students may enroll in no more than 1 online course per semester or term.
• Enrollment in Work Experience is allowed, but will not be counted in the 6 units required. All college classes must be taken for a letter grade. A Pass/No Pass grade is only allowed if that is the only grading option available.
• West Valley College course progress and grades are accessible to students only.  A Parent/Guardian Canvas portal through West Valley College is not available. Counselors will notify families of students earning a D or F grade during monthly check-ins and the Early Alert progress grade (mid-semester grade check for college classes) and at the end of each semester.

Attendance Agreement

• Students are expected to attend their college classes regularly.
• Tardiness and leaving classes early are disruptive to the learning process and could impact a student’s academic success. Students are required to be on time and stay for the full class period. 
• Instructors must be informed of absences before class begins. Students are responsible for getting missed assignments and making arrangements with the instructors to turn in any late assignments.
• For attendance and tardy policies for the college classes, please see the instructors’ course syllabi.  
• Students attending College Advantage will follow the West Valley College Academic Calendar.
• Students may not be on a high school campus during the school day without prior permission from their home school. Students must fill out a Participation in Home High School Activities Form and must sign-in and out when entering and leaving their home high school campus.