College and Career Readiness

Charting a Path for Life After Graduation

From their first day of school at Downey Unified, we guide our students through their educational journey with two destinations in mind: high school graduation and post-graduation success. Every student is different. Each has their own unique set of talents, favorite subjects, chosen extracurriculars, and ultimately individual goals and dreams. Our job is to provide our students with the best tools available to make those dreams come true.

Whether a student intends to pursue their education or jump right into the workforce, Downey Unified is equipped to set them up for success. From Career Technology Education courses and JROTC to college credit opportunities and AVID, our programs prepare our students for post-grad life. We don’t just get our students to the finish line, we help prepare them for the next race.

Graduation Requirements ⇨

Career Technology Education ⇨

College Credit Opportunities ⇨

AVID ⇨

JROTC ⇨

Setting Our Students Up for Success

Our different programs meet different student needs. For example, our Career Technical Education courses allow students to gain real-world job experience while exploring industries, and Dual Enrollment provides an opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school. Regardless of a student’s post-grad desires, Downey Unified is here to help prepare them and set them up for success.

A–G Requirements

students at graduation

Over the last few years, we’ve taken our commitment to our students to the next level by improving our graduation requirements to align with the Cal State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) systems.

Learn more

AVID

AVID Students
Students in the AVID program gain a variety of skills that will help them advance their high school careers and be better prepared in higher education settings.

Learn more

Career Technical Education

career technical pathways

CTE courses allow students to explore a variety of in industries through hands-on learning where they acquire real world skills. Depending on the course, students can earn professional certificates, college credit, and/or potential internships.

Learn more

Dual Enrollment

students in class

The dual enrollment program allows focus students to earn CU or UC college credit while they are still in high school. This gives him an edge when they enter college as some of their preliminary coursework will already be completed.

Learn more

Early College

girl studying

By participating in the early college program students get a taste of college. They will learn responsibility as they must complete their own coursework and assignments like in a college setting. Courses are taught by Cerritos College faculty on-campus. 

Learn more

JROTC Program

JROTC students in uniform standing at attention

This program provides students with a sense of community and the ability to develop leadership skills.

Learn more

College Credit Opportunities

For college-bound students, earning college credit while still in high school can make all the difference. It can bolster your college applications, save you money on future tuition, and speed up the amount of time it takes to finish your degree. You’ll get some of your general education courses out of the way now and get an idea of what college courses consist of. At Downey Unified, college credit is available through three opportunities: Early College Program, Dual Enrollment, and Advanced Placement (AP) classes.

EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAM DUAL ENROLLMENT ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP)
  • Application-based
  • ONLY incoming 9th graders are eligible
  • Requires a 4-year commitment
  • Graduate HS with 46.5 CSU / UC-approved credits
  • Only offered at Downey and Warren High Schools
  • No cost to the family
  • Courses are taught by Cerritos professors
  • Increases GPA
  • Available to ALL grade levels
  • Commit to one semester at a time
  • More self-paced, a la carte offerings
  • Graduate HS with some college credits- CSU and/or UC-approved credits
  • Depending on the classes available may be offered to Columbus, Downey, and Warren High School students
  • No cost to the family
  • Courses are taught by Cerritos professors
  • Increases GPA
  • AP Course offerings vary per grade level & school site
  • Offered at Downey and Warren High Schools
  • Year-long courses taught by Downey Unified high school teachers
  • Implements college-level curriculum provided by College Board
  • At a cost to the family, an optional AP Exam specific to the AP course is offered in the spring
  • Can receive college credit if the student earns a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the designated AP Exam
  • Issuance of college credit for a passed AP Exam is at the discretion of the university
  • Increases GPA

EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAM

  • Application-based
  • ONLY incoming 9th graders are eligible
  • Requires a 4-year commitment
  • Graduate HS with 46.5 CSU / UC-approved credits
  • Only offered at Downey and Warren High Schools
  • No cost to the family

DUAL ENROLLMENT

  • Available to ALL grade levels
  • Commit to one semester at a time
  • More self-paced, a la carte offerings
  • Graduate HS with some college credits- CSU and/or UC-approved credits
  • Depending on the classes available may be offered to Columbus, Downey, and Warren High School students
  • No cost to the family

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP)

  • AP Course offerings vary per grade level & school site
  • Offered at Downey & Warren High Schools
  • Year-long courses taught by Downey Unified high school teachers
  • Implements college-level curriculum provided by College Board
  • At a cost to the family, an optional AP Exam specific to the AP course is offered in the spring
  • Can receive college credit if the student earns a score of 3, 4, or 5 on the designated AP Exam
  • Issuance of college credit for a passed AP Exam is at the discretion of the university

College and Career Resources

Tips for Deciding on Your College

  1. Know your ability
  2. Pick three colleges by the end of 8th grade
  3. Know their admissions qualifications
  4. Know your family’s financial abilities
  5. Talk to your counselors in the 9th grade
  6. Always know your GPA
graduates

Universities & Colleges

Minimum GPA requirement for California Residents:

  • CSU GPA Requirements: 2.5 
  • UC GPA Requirements: 3.0

It is important to note that while meeting these minimum GPA requirements is necessary for eligibility, students aiming for admission to competitive colleges and universities will need to achieve a higher GPA. We encourage students to research each school’s specific admission requirements to ensure they are competitive applicants.

University of California Campuses

Cal State Campuses

Community Colleges in Southern California

Associate Degree for Transfer

The California Community Colleges and partnering institutions created a transfer program to make it easier for students like you to start at a community college, transfer to a guaranteed saved spot at a participating four-year university, and earn a bachelor’s degree.

Learn more

Other Colleges & Universities

Downey Unified School District logo

11627 Brookshire Avenue
Downey, CA 90241

(562) 469-6500

Ready to Join the Downey Unified Family?

Enroll Today