A look at college-going culture in our service area
College-Going Rate of Graduating High School Seniors- Class of 2017
The college-going rate reflects the percentage of high school graduates who enrolled in West Hills classes (any location districtwide) in the fall semester immediately following their high school graduation. The table below represents the market share WHCCD holds specific to high school graduates within the district’s service area.
College: it can be a daunting prospect for first generation students, who by definition would be the first in their families to attend college. Current estimates show that more than 80% of the people living within the West Hills College Coalinga and West Hills College Lemoore service area have not graduated from college and the majority have attended no college at all.
However, thanks to several programs, camps and services offered throughout the West Hills Community College District, attending college might be seen as far less scary a task by some students.
“Our various K-12 programs encourage students by providing them with an opportunity to explore college long before they graduate high school,” said Robert Pimentel, Associate Dean of Educational Services at West Hills College Coalinga. “Many times, it’s opportunities like our dual enrollment programs and Upward Bound that help them understand that they are smart enough to attend and pass college courses. We have found that many students do not believe they can complete college and that, after they’re exposed to the college through these programs, they feel more confident that college could be in their future. This is just one way that we can create a college going culture in our communities: by showing that ‘yes, you can go to college.’”
Another aspect of these programs is the idea that they also expose other members of a student’s family to college, perhaps encouraging them to attend themselves.
“We’re not just exposing these young people to college,” said James Preston, Vice President of Educational Services at West Hills College Lemoore. “We’re exposing their parents as well. Many of these activities and programs take place on our campus and even just stepping foot on it and seeing the many types of services and opportunities we offer can make a difference. Not only are we planting the seed for future success for young people but we’re also letting adults know they can come back as well.”
Here are a few of the K-12 programs offered throughout the West Hills Community College District:
- Dual Enrollment Opportunities: Throughout the WHCCD, high school students have the opportunity to enroll in classes at West Hills College Coalinga and Lemoore for free. Many of these students graduate high school with an Associate’s degree as a result.
- Child Development Centers: WHCCD maintains child development centers in six different communities including Avenal, Huron, San Joaquin, Coalinga, Firebaugh and Lemoore. At a young age, CDC students are exposed to college.
- Upward Bound: Over 150 students come on campus at West Hills College Lemoore and West Hills College Coalinga throughout June and July as part of the Upward Bound Program. During their time on campus they take classes, build skills and prepare themselves for college success. The students—from communities around the area including Coalinga, Huron, Avenal, Mendota, San Joaquin, Tranquillity, Laton, Lemoore, Riverdale, Hanford and Corcoran—also go on educational field trips and participate in leadership and skill building activities and community service. At Coalinga, students live in the dorms for the summer portion of the program.
West Hills College Coalinga:
- FFA Field Day: WHCC’s Farm of the Future hosts students from Future Farmers of America chapters across the state annually for FFA Field Days. These high school students learn about the WHCC agriculture programs and explore the Farm. Over 100 high school FFA students regularly attend these field days.
- Wonderful Agriculture Career Camp and Academy: Each summer, students from Avenal, Mendota and Kettleman City come to WHCC to learn about agriculture mechanics and plant science. These students then have the opportunity to become part of the Wonderful Agriculture Academy. This program is spearheaded by the Wonderful Company, with WHCC partnering. The students earn their Associate’s Degree from WHCC while in high school and are also offered a position at the Wonderful Company upon graduation. This May, 36 students from the first class of Wonderful Agriculture Academy participants will graduate with an Associate’s Degree and CSU Transfer Certificates from West Hills College Coalinga. 100% of the students are heading for college or vocational school after graduating.
- Chevron Fun Physical Science Camps: WHCC also hosts the Chevron Fun Physical Science Camp each summer. Since last year, the camp is also offered in Mendota. Students from 1st to 7th grade learn hands-on physical science through fun activities at this free week-long camp.
West Hills College Lemoore
- University Charter High School and Lemoore Middle College High School: The fully accredited Lemoore Middle College High School is located on the West Hills College Lemoore campus. Students at the school are a part of the campus community and take WHCL classes. University Charter School, an elementary school, is also located on the WHCL campus.
- 5-C Experience: This two week program for incoming 6th to 8th graders helps nearly 200 students experience college. Through a college-like curriculum, they learn academic skills, engage in career exploration and focus on STEM and performing arts. They also interact with WHCL students who serve as mentors, many of whom had been in the 5-C Experience program when they were in middle school. Parents and family members are invited onto campus as part of 5-C for the 6th C, a celebration of the students’ achievements.
- LIFE Afterschool Program: The LIFE After School Program is provided at several elementary and middle school campuses in the WHCCD service area. It focuses on educational and enrichment activities for students, including homework help and enrichment extracurriculars. Activity leaders—WHCL students—oversee and coordinate activities while getting valuable teaching experience.