Downtown College Prep, San Jose's young and ambitious charter school, celebrated its first graduation ceremony Saturday afternoon.

The 54 members of the class of 2004 have a lot to be proud of. Each of the graduates -- nearly all of them the children of working-class, Latino immigrants -- is heading to a four-year college in the fall, from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts to San Jose State University, Santa Clara University, and California State University-Monterey Bay.

Scores of friends and relatives filled a large tent on West San Fernando Street and spilled onto neighboring sidewalks and plazas. When the familiar strains of ''Pomp and Circumstance,'' played this time by a mariachi band, were heard, the crowd leaped to its feet with cameras and noisemakers.

''There's Joseph! Joey! Joey!'' screamed a throng of teenage cousins. Twenty relatives and friends traveled from across the Bay Area to watch Joseph Andersen, who will attend San Jose State in the fall, receive his diploma.

''I'm his auntie, and none of us in my generation ever went to a university,'' said Ingrid Campbell, who came to downtown San Jose from Fairfield. But the second generation ''is going to go to college. It's great to be here today. It's a big deal. It's like, hey, another one made it!''

The students heard from three community leaders who have been critical to the school's success: Mayor Ron Gonzales, who serves on its board of directors; San Jose Unified Superintendent Linda Murray; and Michael O'Farrell, Applied Materials' vice president of global community affairs. Former San Jose Mayor Susan Hammer, as well as city council members Cindy Chavez and Nora Campos, were also in the overflow crowd.

''DCP is an outstanding example of the spirit of San Jose and Silicon Valley,'' said Gonzales, who noted that Downtown College Prep was the first charter school to open in Santa Clara County. Gonzales was the first member of his family to go to college, and he has supported the school's vision from the start.

When the school opened in August 2000, the class of 2004 had 105 students. But higher-than-expected attrition caused the class size to dwindle, and just 54 students received diplomas Saturday.

Attrition is caused by many factors. Some students moved away with their families because of the region's high cost of living, while others left on their own because they resented the school's long days, purple uniforms and mountains of homework.

Murray, who will retire as superintendent of San Jose Unified on Aug. 30, joked that she had already been to seven graduation ceremonies this week, and noted that this one would be the last of her career. Murray recalled meeting the school's idealistic young founders, Jennifer Andaluz and Greg Lippman, when the two taught at Gunderson High School. The two teachers had a dream ofdoing something different.

''You've set a standard for those who follow you,'' said Murray to the graduates. ''Godspeed, go on to college, and stay the course.''


Illustration:Photo

PHOTO: DAI SUGANO -- MERCURY NEWS
Seniors attend commencement Saturday at Downtown College Prep. San Jose Unified Superintendent Linda Murray, one of three speakers, told the school's first graduation class, ''You've set a standard for those who follow you.''