Duarte High School students will soon be able to earn college credit in a carpentry-focused program after the Duarte Unified School District Board of Education approved a dual-enrollment agreement with Rio Hondo Community College District at its Aug. 20 meeting.
The College and Career Access Pathway, or CCAP, agreement brings Rio Hondo instructors to the Duarte campus, with classes set to begin in September Superintendent Doctor Jessica Medrano said the district pursued the partnership because Rio Hondo offers a carpentry program that the district’s existing partner, Citrus College, does not.
“It’s more geared towards, like, you know, hands on, obviously, with the carpentry,” Medrano told the board, adding that students “get dual credit. They get college credit while in high school”.
Board member Doctor James Finlay asked how the program would operate, noting it appeared similar to the district’s arrangement with Citrus but focused on “carpentry and working with wood.” Medrano clarified that the new program is separate from the existing wood shop class, though it will use the same facilities.
The board also asked about the September start date and what enrolled students are doing in the interim. Medrano said she would confirm the exact date and provide details on class scheduling to the board.
The agreement was approved after a public hearing on the item was opened and closed with no public comment.
