News Release
News Release
March 23, 2026
State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces 2026 California Exemplary Dual Enrollment Schools
SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond announced that 32 California schools were selected for the California Exemplary Dual Enrollment Award. This award program identifies and recognizes schools with exemplary dual enrollment programs and allows these schools to share the exemplary programs and practices that have contributed to their success.
“It’s my pleasure to recognize these schools for the incredible work they’re doing to support California’s students,” said Superintendent Thurmond. “By partnering with their communities, they’re opening doors and creating real opportunities for young people. Dual enrollment programs give students a chance to explore their interests, discover what inspires them, and begin their college journey early at no cost before they even graduate from high school.”
Awardees had to demonstrate excellence in several areas of program focus. Applicants had to demonstrate and provide evidence of strong, collaborative relationships among the high school, the college, families, community members, and industry partners. They also had to demonstrate and provide evidence of equity, integration of college and district plans and frameworks, dual credit for high school graduation, outcome data, pathways, and student supports.
Schools receiving the California Exemplary Dual Enrollment Award will hold the title for two years. Read more on the California Department of Education California Exemplary Dual Enrollment Award web page.
2026 Exemplary Dual Enrollment Award Schools
| County | District Name | School Name | College Partner |
|---|---|---|---|
Fresno |
Kings Canyon Joint Unified |
Reedley Middle College High School |
Reedley College |
Kern |
Kern High |
Arvin High School |
Bakersfield College |
Kern |
Delano Joint Union High |
Cesar E. Chavez High School |
Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso College, CSU Bakersfield |
Kern |
Delano Joint Union High |
Delano High School |
Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso College, CSU Bakersfield |
Kern |
Delano Joint Union High |
Robert F. Kennedy High School |
Bakersfield College, Cerro Coso College, CSU Bakersfield |
Kern |
Kern County Office of Education |
Wonderful College Prep Academy - Delano |
Bakersfield College; Taft College; California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo |
Kern |
Kern County Office of Education |
Wonderful College Prep Academy - Lost Hills |
Bakersfield College, Taft College; California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo |
Kings |
Lemoore Union High |
Lemoore Middle College High School |
Lemoore College |
Los Angeles |
Azusa Unified |
Azusa High School |
Citrus College |
Los Angeles |
Compton Unified |
Compton Early College High School |
Compton College |
Los Angeles |
Compton Unified |
Compton High School |
Compton College |
Los Angeles |
Covina-Valley Unified |
Covina High School |
Mt. San Antonio College |
Los Angeles |
Pasadena Unified |
John Muir High School |
Pasadena City College |
Los Angeles |
Downey |
Warren (Earl) High School |
Cerritos College |
Los Angeles |
Antelope Valley Union High |
SOAR High School |
Antelope Valley College |
Los Angeles |
Los Angeles Unified |
Dr. Richard A. Vladovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy |
Los Angeles Harbor College |
Los Angeles |
Los Angeles County Office of Education |
Intellectual Virtues Academy |
Long Beach City College |
Monterey |
Monterey Peninsula Unified |
Marina High School |
Monterey Peninsula College |
Monterey |
Monterey Peninsula Unified |
Seaside High School |
Monterey Peninsula College |
Orange |
Tustin Unified |
Legacy Magnet Academy |
Irvine Valley College |
Orange |
Anaheim Union High |
Magnolia High School |
Cypress College |
Riverside |
Corona-Norco Unified |
John F. Kennedy Middle College High School |
Norco College |
Riverside |
Desert Sands Unified |
Shadow Hills High School |
College of the Desert |
Sacramento |
Twin Rivers Unified |
Grant Union High School |
American River College |
San Bernardino |
San Bernardino City Unified |
Pacific High School |
San Bernardino Valley College |
San Bernardino |
Morongo Unified |
Twentynine Palms High School |
Copper Mountain College |
San Bernardino |
Morongo Unified |
Yucca Valley High School |
Copper Mountain College |
San Diego |
SBE - Altus Schools East County |
Altus Schools East County |
Cuyamaca College |
San Diego |
SBE - Altus Schools South Bay |
Altus Schools South Bay |
Southwestern College |
San Diego |
San Diego Unified |
Health Sciences High and Middle College |
Cuyamaca College |
San Diego |
Oceanside Unified |
Oceanside High School |
MiraCosta College |
Santa Clara |
Santa Clara Unified |
Mission Early College High School |
Mission College |
# # # #
Tony Thurmond —
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100