Agreement with Pasadena Unified School District Expands ‘PCC Northwest’

PCC to offer all-day college courses at John Muir High School starting this fall

In a bold move designed to bring services directly to the heart of one of its most supportive communities, this fall Pasadena City College will establish a satellite campus at John Muir High School in Northwest Pasadena. 

The agreement with the Pasadena Unified School District, which received final approval by the PCC Board of Trustees Wednesday night, gives the college permission to establish full-time operations in Building D on Muir’s campus. The 53,000 square-foot facility will allow the college to offer courses, academic support, and career guidance directly in Northwest Pasadena – bringing college that much closer to local residents.

Known as “PCC Northwest,” the agreement grants the college its fourth campus in the district, with the Muir property joining facilities on Foothill Blvd., Rosemead Blvd., and the flagship campus on Colorado Blvd.

“I’m so pleased that our college will be offering quality programs and services to our local neighborhoods – really, right in our backyard,” said PCC Trustee Berlinda Brown, whose district includes Northwest Pasadena. “The value of a college education is really immeasurable, and it can impact families and communities for generations after a student has finished his or her studies. To make this available to residents of Northwest Pasadena is truly a dream come true.”

 “A college education can be the gateway to a good-paying job,” said Dr. Anthony R. Fellow, president of PCC’s Board of Trustees. “We’re thrilled to be bringing this benefit to another corner of our district.”

 In just a few months, PCC plans to offer continuing education courses through its noncredit division at the Muir site, in response to public demand identified during a recent survey of the area. Respondents to that survey indicated that they would most benefit from self-enrichment and training courses that could lead to better jobs. The college had already been offering similar evening classes for the past two years.

“We want to be sure this expanded facility is meeting our community’s needs,” said Dr. Rajen Vurdien, PCC’s superintendent/president. “We have heard what our residents are looking for and we’re planning accordingly. We are working on some very exciting courses for the fall.”

Under the terms of the agreement, PCC will pay PUSD rent of $150,000 annually for 10 years, with an option for a five-year extension. The college will make additional investments in upgrading classroom technology and other facilities improvements. A separate agreement between the districts allows college students to be present in the building and surrounding areas on Muir’s campus during the high school day.

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Since 1924, Pasadena City College (www.pasadena.edu) has provided the San Gabriel Valley with a high-quality, innovative learning environment that inspires student success. Our academic programs encompass a variety of degrees, transfer programs, certificates of achievement, and occupational skills certificates that challenge students and support progress toward their goals. Widely recognized as a transfer leader, PCC is one of California’s top schools for transfers to local universities, including the CSU and UC system, USC, Art Center College of Design, Caltech, and more.