The Whittier Union High School District and Rio Hondo College have partnered to create a free dual enrollment program, enabling students to take after-school courses for credits transferrable to the UC and Cal State university systems.
Through the program, freshman students at all seven Whittier Union schools can take one dual enrollment class per semester, and in summer school. In the process, students can earn up to 30 college credits by graduation.
Officials encouraged students to take courses that would qualify them for Rio Hondo’s Honors Transfer Program, designed to increase students’ chances of attending a four-year university.
“Our goal is to target underrepresented and at-promise students who may not be aware of these programs, and provide equitable access to college education at the high school level,” RHC Dean of Student Equity and Achievement Cecilia Rocha said in a written statement. “In coordination with our Honors Transfer Program, if a student fulfills all the requirements, they could transfer to a UC school within two years.”
The partnership was made possible by two California Department of Education (CDE) grants — the College Career Access Pathway (CCAP) and Middle College and Early College (MCEC) grants, totaling nearly $1 million.
All of the program’s classes are taught by Rio Hondo professors at the school site.
Tuition is waived and textbooks are provided for free.
Once in the program, students must complete five honors courses with a “B” grade or better and achieve an overall transferable GPA of at least 3.2, according to Whittier Union officials.
Accelerated programs are encouraged, such as the Summer Scholar Transfer Institute (SSTI), a three-week course at UC Irvine that introduces students to dorm life and provides opportunities for networking.
In a Whittier Union press release on the program, Whittier High School Class of 2024 alumna Chloe Carrancho said she was thrilled to be accepted to UC San Diego when she graduated, but declined to attend the school, preferring to enroll at Rio Hondo College and enlist the services of the Honors Transfer program.
Her goal, officials said in the release, is to eventually get accepted to UCLA or UC Berkeley.
“Attending Río Hondo College is a great option, especially if you’re unsure if a college campus is a good fit for you, or you are not happy with your choices,” Carrancho said. “There is a lot of flexibility, you learn time management skills, the clubs are great, and the Honors Program is amazing. I would recommend this program to anyone who is serious about college but wants time after high school to sort everything out.”
If interested, students and families should contact their school’s guidance counselor, Horizon office, or visit the school’s dual enrollment web page for more information.