Beginning next year, Willow Glen High School and San José City College are teaming up to teach, for the first time, a joint high school and community college program—University Express.

Willow Glen High School Principal Elaine Farace said the school has had partnerships with UC­Santa Cruz and San José City College in the past, but never a formalized program that allowed motivated students to earn 30 credits toward a college degree.

The advantage of the University Express program is that students do not have to take Advanced Placement classes and pass a test to earn college credit. Through the joint program, students can obtain their 30 credits prior to high school graduation. The students then enter San José City College as sophomores. If the students complete their sophomore year at San José City College, they are guaranteed admission to a UC school.

"In most cases, it takes five years to graduate from a UC or CSU school, so this puts students at an advantage," Farace said.

Teachers at the high school will recommend 60­65 students at the end of their freshman year to enter the program.

Farace, however, wants students and parents to be aware that this program does not replace the AP programs at the school.

San Jose Unified School District Director of External Programs Bill Erlendson said that by law students must take an assessment test. Based on test results and teacher recommendations, students are selected for the program; the teacher recommendations play a strong role in the selection process.

Erlendson said he and Superintendent Linda Murray began conversations several years ago about a program that would enable students to do college coursework during high school.

"There's a lot of redundancy in General Education requirements, and University Express will expedite the college experience," Erlendson said.

The school district chose Willow Glen High School as a pilot for the program because of its central location, parent interest and the goal to build the school's reputation using a college preparatory curriculum, he said.

"Hopefully it'll be a draw for Willow Glen," Erlendson said.

While the curriculum is still being developed by administrators at both schools, courses in history, English, math, music history, theater, economics and political science have been discussed, he said.