Principal and students spotlight Duarte High's early college program at board meeting
March 10, 2026 | Duarte Unified, School Districts, California
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At a Duarte Unified School District board meeting, Principal Luis Haro and three Duarte High School students described the district's early college dual-enrollment program and its impact on student outcomes.
Haro said the program began around 2007 6 and formalized with Citrus College in about 2008, offering two- and four-year cohort options and an al a carte model that lets students join or leave as needed. "This semester we have about 32 percent of our students currently enrolled in early college courses," Haro said, and he told the board that "48 percent of our seniors took one or more early college classes" last year.
The students who spoke at the meeting gave concrete examples of benefits. Owen Malone, a junior and student leader, said, "I enrolled as a freshman, and so far I have almost, like, 30 college credits," a carry-forward advantage he described as saving both time and money. Victoria Mures, a senior, said the rigor of college courses helped her narrow her plan to study molecular and cellular biology, and Alexis Saldana, also a senior, said the program reduced her senior-year course load and allowed more time for extracurriculars.
Haro outlined program logistics: college professors teach on the high school campus in morning periods while students take Duarte courses in later periods; the courses align with CalGETC transfer patterns so credits apply to UC/CSU lower-division requirements. He noted the district meets annually with Citrus College to update course offerings based on availability and student interest.
Board members thanked the students and staff. One member called Duarte High's early college a "gem" for the area given participation and outcomes, and the board recognized the principal and visiting staff before taking a short reception and photo with students. The district will continue promoting dual-enrollment pathways as part of college- and career-readiness planning.
The spotlight segment closed with a board invitation for questions and a note that staff would be available to follow up on program details.
Haro said the program began around 2007 6 and formalized with Citrus College in about 2008, offering two- and four-year cohort options and an al a carte model that lets students join or leave as needed. "This semester we have about 32 percent of our students currently enrolled in early college courses," Haro said, and he told the board that "48 percent of our seniors took one or more early college classes" last year.
The students who spoke at the meeting gave concrete examples of benefits. Owen Malone, a junior and student leader, said, "I enrolled as a freshman, and so far I have almost, like, 30 college credits," a carry-forward advantage he described as saving both time and money. Victoria Mures, a senior, said the rigor of college courses helped her narrow her plan to study molecular and cellular biology, and Alexis Saldana, also a senior, said the program reduced her senior-year course load and allowed more time for extracurriculars.
Haro outlined program logistics: college professors teach on the high school campus in morning periods while students take Duarte courses in later periods; the courses align with CalGETC transfer patterns so credits apply to UC/CSU lower-division requirements. He noted the district meets annually with Citrus College to update course offerings based on availability and student interest.
Board members thanked the students and staff. One member called Duarte High's early college a "gem" for the area given participation and outcomes, and the board recognized the principal and visiting staff before taking a short reception and photo with students. The district will continue promoting dual-enrollment pathways as part of college- and career-readiness planning.
The spotlight segment closed with a board invitation for questions and a note that staff would be available to follow up on program details.
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