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Parents and students urge board to keep Middle College Academy open, provide enrollment and funding figures
Summary
Multiple students, parents and community members urged the Marysville Joint Unified trustees not to close the Middle College Academy, citing student outcomes and presenting enrollment and funding figures (about 30 students now, ADA funding cited at ~$12,000 per student, projecting ~$360,000 now and ~$1.2M at full capacity).
A line of parents, students and community supporters pressed the Marysville Joint Unified School District Board on Jan. 14 to retain the Middle College Academy (MCA), describing the program as transformative for participating students and arguing the school is financially viable.
Students and parents recounted personal experiences and outcomes. Claire Shawcroft, a first‑year MCA student, described the program as "one of the most friendly, welcoming, high achieving schools" she has attended. Several speakers emphasized that MCA has helped students stay in the district and pursue college plans.
Speakers also presented financial figures during public comment. A parent estimated current enrollment at about 30 students and cited a California average daily attendance (ADA) funding rate of roughly $12,000 per student, which the speaker said would produce about $360,000 in annual revenue at the present size and roughly $1.2 million if the program reached an anticipated 100‑student capacity. Speakers argued operating costs were modest (two teachers, one paraeducator and one secretary were cited) and that the program should not be eliminated if it can grow and attract additional students.
Supporters urged trustees to consider the program’s academic and social benefits and the potential long‑term financial contribution to the district. Several provided personal testimony about improved mental health, academic readiness and mentorship opportunities that MCA offered students who had struggled in other high schools.
The board did not take an immediate final action to close or keep MCA during this meeting; public comment was recorded and will be part of the board’s ongoing deliberations.
Representative quotes from the transcript: "This school is amazing for various reasons," student Claire Shawcroft said. A parent who addressed spending projections stated, "This school should be bringing in about $360,000 a year," citing the current enrollment and ADA figure used in their calculation.
