Hundreds of high school students are overwhelming the community college system this summer because of state budget cuts that have forced many high schools to drop their summer school programs.

San José City and Evergreen Community College district spokeswoman Monica Gomez says their summer enrollment is up 30 percent, and its not just the over-achievers who are looking for advanced courses.

“Now it’s really based on need, not just as an elective to take a high school summer class, but a need. …The parents are adamant that their children need these classes in order to graduate.”

Gomez says there is now a lengthy waiting list for essential courses like Math and English.

At the San Mateo Community College District, Chancellor Ron Galatolo says enrollment is up an unusually high ten percent for the summer semester. While some students are high schoolers, many are also adults who were laid off and are now looking for retraining.

“Some areas are very impacted… and we’re being very selective on the courses we’re offering because we have some very serious fiscal restraints ourselves.”

Galatolo says the district has seen slight increases in enrollment over the last three to four years, including this last school year. He says they are anticipating another enrollment increase of 8 to 9 percent this coming Fall semester.