'Beaumont Middle College High School' To Open At MSJC Pass Campus

SAN GORGONIO PASS AREA, CA — A unique program intended to provide a more seamless path for Pass Area high school students who are interested in college is being launched, it was announced Friday.

The Mt. San Jacinto Community College District and the Beaumont Unified School District are partnering to open Beaumont Middle College High School in the 2022-23 school year. The program will be housed at MSJC’s San Gorgonio Pass Campus, and it will feature a high school model but with direct access to college-level courses and services in a community college setting, officials said.

The program will allow students to begin college-level coursework as they are finishing high school and prepare for either a four-year institution or receive their associate degree and enter the workforce.

Beaumont USD Superintendent Mays Kakish called the program "incredibly exciting."

“Our ultimate goal is to see our students graduate high school equipped with one to two years of college credits," Kakish said. "Some could even receive an associate degree at the same time they get their high school diploma. We cannot wait to see the impact this innovative program will have on our students, especially those who may have not considered themselves college material.”

Dr. Roger Schultz, superintendent/president of MSJC, said, “The Middle College program will increase high school graduation rates, provide students with courses that will offer college credits and serve students who are underrepresented. Mt. San Jacinto College is proud to continue its long history of collaboration with Beaumont Unified by working together on this innovative Middle College program.”

MSJC Trustee Brian Sylva represents the Pass Area that includes Beaumont and Banning. Previously, he served on the Beaumont Unified school board. He said the Middle College will help local students achieve their educational goals.

"The Middle College vision and concept is something I have advocated for and truly believed in from its inception while I was a member of the Board of Trustees for Beaumont Unified," Sylva said. "Now that vision has become a reality and the benefactors of that vision are the students of the Pass Area."

More information about Middle College requirements and enrollment will be shared in the near future, and family informational nights are planned, officials said. In the meantime, students and families who are interested in or have questions about the program are encouraged to contact BUSD Director of College & Career Readiness Michael Breyer at 951-845-1631 or mbreyer@beaumontusd.k12.ca.us.