Expanding Dual Enrollment Access for Los Angeles Students

Across Los Angeles County, thousands of high school students are ready for college-level learning even before graduation, but many are not aware how dual enrollment can be an opportunity to get a head start on their college journey. United Way of Greater Los Angeles and Long Beach City College (LBCC) are working to change that.

On January 21, 2026, United Way and LBCC hosted a dual enrollment presentation at the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) to school administrators and counselors across the county spotlighting their collaborative work to help more underrepresented students access community college courses while still in high school.

At the center of this effort is a new Dual Enrollment Toolkit, co-developed to ensure students and families have clear, accessible guidance on how this can be a life-changing opportunity for students.

“A lot of students don’t see themselves as college students, but when they are able to bridge that experience at an earlier stage, instead of waiting after high school, they kind of lower that learning curve of what it’s like to go to college,” said Lorraine Blouin, LBCC Faculty Matriculation Counselor. “Introducing high school students to college early on helps them find their needs, their niche… find their place. It becomes not about someone else, but they can see themselves thriving in college.”

Why Dual Enrollment Matters

Dual enrollment gives students the opportunity to take college courses that count toward both high school and college graduation. This not only reduces the time and cost required to earn a degree but also builds confidence—especially for students who may not see themselves as “college ready.”

“Every single one of the high school -college partnerships is about which students or communities will be potentially not reaching, and how do we serve them? How do we make sure they have the information and understand that dual enrollment is for everyone,” said Kim Patterson, Dual Enrollment Coordinator at LACOE. “So, we stress partnerships because you have partnerships between the K12 district and the college district, but also between community organization groups, in this case, United Way of Greater Los Angeles, who might help you fulfill that vision.

United Way’s Community College Success Initiative (CCSI) is grounded in equity and designed to support first‑generation students of color with the resources they need to thrive.

Through tools like mentorship programs, resource fairs, and academic toolkits, CCSI programs connect students to mentors through the Mentorship Program, while the Way2Success Community College Resource Fair connects students to basic resources that help them secure housing, food, and other basic needs, removing barriers for them to stay enrolled and complete their college and career goals.

The development of academic toolkits is central to the CCSI initiative. Besides providing students with resources directly, another key area of focus for the CCSI initiative is providing tangible resources and support to practitioners to support equitable access and information to families and students to be informed about the opportunities and to help dispel the myths of dual enrollment. United Way’s investment in toolkits such as the dual enrollment toolkit signals its commitment to supporting the prosperity of Los Angelenos.

With the rollout of the Dual Enrollment Toolkit, more students will be able to understand, navigate, and confidently pursue college courses while still in high school.

To ensure the toolkit met real community needs, United Way convened a working group of practitioners, counselors, nonprofit partners, and students. LBCC took a deeply intentional, equity‑minded approach—engaging feeder districts such as Long Beach Unified and Norwalk‑La Mirada and hosting multilingual focus groups with students and families.

The resulting toolkit provides clear explanations, side‑by‑side comparisons between Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and step‑by‑step guidance tailored for families—including Spanish‑language versions to ensure broader access. The easy-to-digest format with striking visuals was also intentional in order for it to be as accessible to students and families as possible.

Early Outcomes Show Strong Promise

LBCC’s dual enrollment program is seeing significant growth and improved outcomes. In the 2024–25 academic year:

6,989 students participated in dual enrollment

121 course sections were offered

Students achieved an 86% course success rate

For Black/African American students, enrollment increased by 500% over five years, while success rates rose from 75% to 83%.

These numbers reflect a powerful truth: when students receive the right information, support, and guidance, they thrive.

A Scalable Model for the Region

One of the most exciting outcomes of this collaboration is the creation of a universal toolkit that can be easily adapted by other districts. It has already gained traction across community college systems, including Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD), and interest continues to grow statewide.

The Chancellor of the California Community Colleges, Sonya Christian, has called Dual Enrollment “a game changer for college attainment.”

“Dual Enrollment programs provide a unique option for public high school students who seek to accelerate their achievement, launch their careers, and access high-quality free college education even before they walk the high school graduation stage,” said the California State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond.

By investing in shared resources, United Way and LBCC are not just supporting one campus or community—they are building a scalable model for increasing early college access across California.

This collaboration with K-12 school districts and community colleges shows United Way’s broader commitment to creating pathways for college and career success accessible to all students —particularly those who have historically been excluded from these opportunities. And they can start now.

“The Dual Enrollment Toolkit was designed with students’ voices at the forefront, empowering them and their families to confidently explore their options and take that first important step toward higher education,” said Martha Maciel Serratos, Education Programs Manager at United Way of Greater Los Angeles. “This resource reflects our commitment to equity and to ensuring every student has the opportunity to thrive.”

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