Cypress College Named 2026 California Exemplary Dual Enrollment School
Cypress College has been named a 2026 California Exemplary Dual Enrollment School, one of 32 institutions statewide to receive the recognition from the California Department of Education. Schools that receive the designation hold the title for two years.
The California Exemplary Dual Enrollment Award recognizes schools with strong dual enrollment programs that give high school students the opportunity to take college courses and earn credits before graduating. Honorees are selected for demonstrating high-quality, equity-driven programming that expands access to higher education.
Award recipients were evaluated across several areas of program excellence, including strong collaboration between colleges, high schools, families, community partners and industry. Schools were also required to demonstrate sustained success through a commitment to equity, alignment between college and district planning, opportunities for students to earn dual credit toward high school graduation, clear academic pathways, measurable outcomes and comprehensive student support systems.
“The success of this program is driven by our students, their determination, growth and achievements, and by Cypress College’s commitment to supporting them every step of the way,” said Stephanie Teer, director of dual enrollment at Cypress College.
Since its launch in 2016, Cypress College’s dual enrollment program has supported over 10,000 students and maintains an overall course success rate of 92.3%. Through partnerships with local school districts, the college offers College and Career Access Pathways that allow high school students to take college courses and begin earning credit toward certificates and associate degrees.
Cypress College collaborates with several school districts across the region, including Anaheim Union High School District, Fullerton Joint Union High School District, Garden Grove Unified School District, Los Alamitos Unified School District and Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District. These partnerships help align coursework with student goals and expand access to higher education opportunities.
Students in the program are supported through a range of services, including educational planning, academic counseling, success workshops and ongoing support from dedicated dual enrollment staff. The college is continuing to align its program with Vision 2030, a California Community Colleges initiative, focusing on strengthening long-term academic pathways and supporting student success beyond high school.