Dual Enrollment
Earn college credit while in high school
Columbus High School is proud to offer students the opportunity to participate in Dual Enrollment through Cerritos College right here on our campus.
What is Dual Enrollment?
Dual enrollment allows students to take college-level courses while still in high school, giving them the opportunity to earn both high school and college credit at the same time.
These courses provide students with valuable exposure to college-level expectations, help build confidence in their ability to succeed after high school, and can give them a head start toward completing a college degree or certificate.
College Courses, Right on Campus
Having Cerritos College dual-enrollment courses available directly at Columbus High School makes this opportunity even more accessible by allowing students to experience college coursework in a familiar and supportive environment.
It is an excellent opportunity for students to challenge themselves academically, explore future educational and career pathways, and begin building their college transcript before they graduate from high school.
Save Time. Save Money. Get Ahead.
Earning college credits while in high school can help students save both time and money when they attend college. By completing general education courses before college, students could save approximately $28,000 at a UC and $11,600 at a CSU.
Dual enrollment can also help students:
- Save time and money when they attend college
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in less time by completing college credits early
- Build momentum toward college and potentially increase their likelihood of attending and graduating from a four-year college
Your College Courses Are Covered
If you take a dual enrollment course offered on one of our campuses, Cerritos College waives tuition and fees, while Downey Unified covers the cost of books and any additional fees.
Make Your Credits Count
California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC)
As of Fall 2025, Cal-GETC is the new general education pattern for students transferring from California community colleges to CSU or UC schools. It creates one clear set of courses that meet general education requirements for both systems, helping make the transfer process easier.
Getting Started
Program Requirement
Students must be making satisfactory progress toward graduation, attend consistently, and demonstrate commitment to their college and career goals.
What if I want to take a class not offered on my high school campus?
Students who want to take a course that is not offered on their high school campus must complete a Community College Course Approval Form, even if the course is taken at Cerritos College.
Interested?
Interested students are encouraged to contact the school counselor, Mr. Pedro Trujillo, at ptrujillo@dusd.net or call (562) 904-3552 at the CHS Main Office