2026 New Student Presentation

Jul 13, 2026 | News & Announcements

Welcome to Columbus High School (CHS)

Welcome to the new school year! Under the leadership of Principal Dr. Ortiz, Columbus High School is dedicated to a whole-child approach, real outcomes, and access to excellence. This informational guide covers everything new students and families need to know to get started.

Important Dates and Hours

  • First Day of School: The new school year begins on August 13th from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM (Minimum Day).
  • Regular School Hours: 8:30 AM – 2:20 PM.
  • Office Hours: 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM.
  • Contact Phone: (562) 904-3552.

The ABCs of Student Expectations

Your success is our success! We expect all students to focus on the following ABCs:

  • Attendance: Students must attend daily as assigned in their schedule, with a goal of 90-100% attendance.
  • Behavior: Show respectful behavior toward yourself and others to make yourself and your family proud. Do not engage in behaviors that interfere with academic success (aim for zero discipline referrals).
  • Credits: Students earn one credit at a time and must earn their credit goal each month as stated on their Credit Check Form.

Steps to Success Criteria

To help monitor progress and celebrate growth, students are placed on a “Step” at the end of each grading period based on their credits earned and attendance. Families are informed monthly.

  • Step 1 (Excellent): For students on track to graduate or transfer. Requires 100% of needed credits and 90-100% attendance. Rewards include certificates, prizes, and eligibility for work permits, prom, homecoming, and transfer consideration.
  • Step 2 (Satisfactory): For students on track to graduate from CHS. Requires 100% of needed credits and 89% or less attendance. Includes parent/guardian notification and limited privileges compared to Step 1.
  • Step 3 (Unsatisfactory): For students not on track to graduate or transfer. This applies to students earning 99% or less of needed credits. A support plan is created with the student, family, and staff to get back on track, and students are not eligible for Step privileges.

Graduation and Transfer Requirements

Columbus High School requires a total of 190 credits to graduate, and students must pass all courses with a C or better.

  • English: 4 years (40 credits).
  • Mathematics: 3 years (30 credits).
  • Science: 2 years (20 credits).
  • Social Science: 30 credits total, including World History (10 credits), US History for juniors (10 credits), Government for seniors (5 credits), and Economics for seniors (5 credits).
  • Physical Education: 2 years (20 credits).
  • Language Other Than English (LOTE): 2 years of the same language (20 credits).
  • Visual & Performing Arts: 1 year (10 credits).
  • Health: 1 semester (5 credits).
  • Electives: 3 semesters (15 credits). Note: This is different from DHS/WHS, which requires 30 elective credits and a total of 220 credits to graduate.

Transferring Back to Downey (DHS) or Warren High School (WHS)

Transfers are only available at the beginning of each semester. To qualify, students must maintain a 90% average attendance rate and complete all courses in blocks of 5 or 10 credits with a C or better. Minimum credit requirements to transfer are:

  • Sophomores: 60 credits (1st semester) or 90 credits (2nd semester).
  • Juniors: 100 credits (1st semester) or 130 credits (2nd semester).
  • Seniors: 160 credits (1st semester) or 190 credits (2nd semester).

Campus Rules, Safety, and Dress Code

Safety matters at CHS. To keep our campus safe, respectful, and focused on learning, please review our top guidelines:

  • Campus Rules: We operate a safe, drug-free, and closed campus. Students must stay in the center quad during breaks and cannot leave during school hours without an off-campus pass. Food delivery (Uber Eats, DoorDash, etc.) is not permitted. Skateboards and bikes must be stored at the locking station. No recording or posting on social media without consent.
  • Dress Code: Students should dress respectfully and responsibly. Wear clean, neat clothing where shirts cover the midriff, pants do not have rips, and shorts/skirts are a modest length. Closed-toe shoes are preferred. Avoid ripped jeans, open-toe shoes/slides, and inappropriate graphics.
  • Student Parking: Driving to school is a privilege. Misuse—such as speeding, reckless driving, or going to your car during school hours without permission—can result in a citation and loss of on-campus parking privileges.

Get Involved: Clubs and Support

At CHS, we are proud of our 95%+ graduation rate and the fact that 97.5% of our students report feeling cared for by teachers and staff! We encourage you to find your place by getting involved in our programs:

  • Clubs & Enrichment: ASB Leadership, Yearbook, Workout/Weightlifting Club, Gaming/Interactive Media Club, Guitar Club, Inclusivity Club, Sewing Club, and Basketball Club.
  • Academic Support: CTAP (Columbus Teacher Assistant Program), Tutoring, and Thriving Thursday Resource Workshops.
  • Wellness & Resources: Visit “The Lion’s Den” CHS Wellness Center in Room B-1 for support. Additionally, the St. Louise Mobile Outreach visits campus to help families with Medi-Cal applications, Covered California enrollment, and CalFresh applications.

Next Steps for New Students

  • Be on the lookout for a welcome email from the CHS Office.
  • Find your CHS schedule on the “Q” dashboard the day before enrolling.
  • If you have questions about your schedule, contact your counselor at ptrujillo@dusd.net.