Expanding Student Pathways to College

In November 2021, our Torrance Unified Board of Education approved the Early College Program, a partnership with El Camino College (ECC), which expands pathways to higher education. This program is a comprehensive 4-year model beginning in the students’ freshman year. Incoming freshmen will simultaneously complete their high school graduation requirements, along with completing transferable college level general education courses, as well as have the opportunity to take courses towards their major of studying.

Originally designed for a cohort of 35 students, the high demand warranted an increase in size, which led to doubling the program and enabled us to enroll 70 students per program each year.

During the first two years of the program, students will have the opportunity to take up to eight college-level credit classes at North or Torrance High School. As they enter their Junior and Senior years, students will also take classes on the ECC campus. The built-in flexibility of the program allows students to fully participate in athletic and extracurricular activities at North or Torrance High School. Another added benefit of Early College is that it is completely free for those students accepted into the Early College Program at NHS and THS. The program covers the cost of tuition and books, and provides transportation from ECC to North or Torrance High School. 

Early College Program at North High School

With an emphasis on the Cal-GETC requirements, the program is located at North High School, with a priority given to students whose home school will be North. Torrance Unified students whose home school is not North will Open Enroll when selected to participate in the program. Students enrolled in districts outside of Torrance Unified (non-residents) may apply for an out-of-District permit.

Early College Program at Torrance High School (NEW)

With an emphasis on CTE Pathways and obtaining an AA/AS degree, the program is located at Torrance High School with priority given to students whose home school will be Torrance High. Torrance Unified students whose home school is not Torrance High will Open Enroll when selected to participate in the program. Students enrolled in districts outside of Torrance Unified (non-residents) may apply for an out-of-District permit. 

Early College Program Information Video

Please watch this 3-minute video to get an overview of the TUSD Early College Program at North High School and how your student can participate in this exciting new opportunity!

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