U.S. High School Students


Cypress College offers several options for current U.S. high school students who are interested in attending college and/or transitioning to college while they are still in high school. Please see the programs below for the best option for you. 


Special Admit

Special Admit students are high school students who wish to attend Cypress College and high school at the same time. Though enrollment fees are waived for high school students, they must pay for the health fee (currently $21) and any material fees. Special admit students must fill out two applications: the main one and the Special Admit Student Program application. NOTE: Special admit students may take up to 11 units ONLY.

Dual Enrollment

Cypress College partners with area school districts to offer high school students the opportunity to earn college credit for free while attending high school. Students enrolled in dual enrollment courses earn credit for college classes that may be eligible to transfer to a CSU or UC institution. Courses offered in the dual enrollment program may be taken at the college or high school campus.

Charger Experience (Promise)

The Charger Experience Program (Promise) is for all students who are completing high school. The program is designed to provide all incoming students the foundation for success through direct engagement with academic programs and comprehensive understanding of support services.

Benefits

  • Two years of free tuition for all first-time college students
  • Priority registration and full-time placement
  • Academic, career, and transfer counseling, including a student education plan
  • Activities, support services, and events
  • Personalized support from Charger Experience counselors
  • Connect2Cypress and Charger Friday events

English Language Learners (ELLs)

ELLs who have graduated from a U.S. high school do not need to take an English assessment. Instead, they will use the Guided Placement Tool because they have the right to access transfer-level composition coursework:  

  • ESL 110 C (ESL support) 
  • ENGL 101 C (with support) 
  • ENGL 100 C (without support)  

ELLs who have graduated from a U.S. high school also have the right to access academic credit ESL coursework according to AB 1805 and can follow the ESL assessment process.  

Cypress College has an excellent credit ESL program that has been recognized statewide for its success. Students can find more information about credit ESL courses, including ESL 110C, our transfer-level composition course that meets the same requirements as ENGL 100, on the following pages: