El Camino at RUHS

Dual Enrollment at Redondo Union High School (RUHS) allows students to earn college credit at no cost through El Camino College while still enrolled in high school. RUHS offers two distinct dual enrollment options, each designed to meet different student needs, schedules, and levels of independence.

Both dual enrollment options provide valuable opportunities for RUHS students to challenge themselves academically, explore college-level coursework, and earn transferable college credit while still in high school.

Option 1: El Camino Courses on the RUHS Campus (During the School Day)

This option allows students to take El Camino College courses on the RUHS campus during the regular school day, with built-in support from RUHS staff. These classes are part of the student’s high school schedule and provide a structured introduction to college-level coursework.

RUHS currently offers the following El Camino courses through this option:

• MATH 191: Calculus II
• MATH 220: Calculus III

Because these courses are offered on campus and during the school day, students benefit from greater structure, teacher access, and counselor support while earning transferable college credit.

Option 1 Enrollment Process

Students interested in taking a class through Option 1 will work with their academic counselor during the spring prior to the school year in which the class will be taken. Enrollment is completed through RUHS, and students will receive guidance and support throughout the process.

Option 2: El Camino Courses Off-Campus (Outside the School Day)

This option allows students to enroll in El Camino College courses on their own time, outside of the RUHS school day. Students are eligible to register for most El Camino courses, giving them access to a wide range of subject areas. Classes may be taken in person during evenings or weekends, or online in various formats.

Most students take advantage of Option 2 during the summer, when their schedules allow for greater flexibility and focus. However, dual enrollment courses can be taken during the school year as a 7th class or be used in lieu of one RUHS course for seniors, as long as the class is completed during the academic year and approved through the school.

This option requires a higher level of independence and responsibility, as students manage their own schedules, deadlines, and communication with El Camino instructors. Students enrolled through this option do not receive ongoing academic support from RUHS staff, making it best suited for students who are highly self-motivated and organized.

It is important to note that El Camino courses are one semester long, but most fulfill a full year of academic content at the high school level. Because course selection can impact college applications and future transfer credit, students should be thoughtful in choosing classes and are required to consult with their school counselor before enrolling.

Option 2 Enrollment Process

Students interested in taking a class through Option 2 must complete the registration process independently. A PDF with step-by-step instructions can be found on the right-hand side of this page. Students are required to submit a Dual Enrollment Form signed by a school counselor. In addition, seniors who wish to use an El Camino course in place of an RUHS class must also complete the RUHS Dual Enrollment Agreement and submit all required supporting documents before any schedule changes will be made.

For Option 2, students are responsible for the cost of books and supplies.

 

Dual Enrollment FAQ

How many credits will I earn?

El Camino College courses may be worth 1–5 college credit hours, depending on the class. For high school credit, RUHS will award 5 high school credits for any dual enrollment course that is 3 or more college credit hours. No high school credit will be awarded for courses less than 3 college credit hours.

How does dual enrollment impact my GPA?

El Camino grades that are added to the RUHS transcript are weighted in the same way as Honors and AP courses. However, because dual enrollment courses are worth 5 high school credits (rather than the 10 credits typically awarded for year-long AP or Honors classes), the GPA bump is smaller.

Do El Camino classes appear on my RUHS transcript?

Yes. Regardless of which dual enrollment option a student chooses, all students are required to submit their official El Camino transcript to RUHS so the course and grade can be added to their high school transcript.

Do El Camino classes follow the RUHS calendar?

It depends on the option selected:

• Option 1 (on the RUHS campus): Classes follow the RUHS school calendar.
• Option 2 (taken independently): Classes follow the El Camino College calendar:
  
  
• Summer: June–August
• Fall: August–December
• Winter: January
• Spring: February–June
  
  

*Please note that spring term classes end the week after the RUHS school year concludes, which may impact summer plans.

Do dual enrollment courses run like regular RUHS classes?

No. Dual enrollment courses are college classes, and all expectations—reading assignments, homework, exams, and deadlines—are set by the college professor, not RUHS. Late or missing work is typically not accepted, and students should expect less individualized academic support than they may receive from high school teachers.

What happens if I don’t do well in a dual enrollment class?

Dual enrollment grades become part of a student’s permanent academic record. Grades cannot be remediated or removed and must be reported on all future college, graduate, law, and medical school applications. Students should enroll only if they are prepared to take the course very seriously.

Do I need to meet prerequisites or take placement tests?

Some courses have prerequisites, though many do not. Placement is determined by a combination of grades in previous coursework and AP exam results. Students are also required to complete an online English and Math survey as part of the enrollment process. 

Are there any limitations for dual enrollment?

Students may enroll in a maximum of two dual enrollment courses per term. Up to 40 outside credit hours may be added to the RUHS transcript for credit, including coursework from El Camino College and other approved programs such as UC Scout or Silicon Valley High School. While El Camino previously limited course options for 9th- and 10th-grade students, those restrictions have now been eliminated.