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CUSD Celebrates 10 Years of Historic College & Career Impact for National School Counseling Week

Media Release
 

Compton Unified School District is celebrating National School Counseling Week by releasing its 10-Year College & Career Impact Report (read here: https://online.pubhtml5.com/pgrmw/ntwg/ ), marking a decade of transformational progress in preparing students for life after high school. Over the past 10 years, CUSD high school graduation rates have increased from 60% to 94%, while college acceptance rates at comprehensive high schools have risen from 22% to an extraordinary 95%, reflecting one of the most dramatic improvements in student outcomes across the state.

The report highlights historic gains across key college and career readiness indicators:

  • College & Career Preparedness (CCI): Increased from 15% to 71%
  • College Acceptance: Increased from 22% to 95% at comprehensive high schools
  • A-G Completion: Increased by 53% since 2014
  • Advanced Placement & Dual Enrollment: More than 6,000 additional AP exams and college courses taken in 2025 compared to 2015
  • High School Graduation: Increased by 34 percentage points, from 60% to 94%

“These achievements have been made possible by the vision and leadership of the Board of Trustees and our award-winning Superintendent, along with the unwavering commitment of our Higher Education Coordinators, counselors, administrators, teachers, and scholars,” said Dr. Jorge Torres, Executive Director of College & Career. “I am incredibly proud of what has been achieved.”

Compton Unified’s award-winning College & Career Department has received extensive national, state, and regional recognition, including:

  • #1 A-G Rate in California for similarly situated districts – 76% (2025)
  • #1 A-G Rate in California for similarly situated high schools – Dominguez High School at 96% (2025)
  • College Board Advanced Placement Honor Roll – Compton, Compton Early College and Dominguez High Schools (2025)
  • Dr. David B. Swedlow Professional of the Year Award (NCAN) – Dr. Jorge Torres, Executive Director of College & Career (2025)
  • American College Application Campaign School of Excellence – Dominguez High School (2025)
  • Steve Hankins New High School Counselor Award (WACAC) – Gabriela Quintero, Counselor, Compton High School (2025)
  • Golden Bell Award (CSBA) – Compton Goes to College (2024)
  • Power of Hope Award (NPSI) – Compton Goes to College (2024)
  • Magna Award Grand Prize Winner (NSBA) – College & Career Department (2025)
  • Dual Enrollment Exemplary Award (CDE) – Centennial and Dominguez High Schools (2023)
  • Dominguez High School was recognized within in top California schools for sending students to elite universities (SF Gate) (2025)

While the report celebrates unprecedented success, it also highlights ongoing challenges. For many students, financial barriers remain the greatest obstacle to completing their college journey. Scholarships play a critical role in ensuring students not only gain college acceptance, but also persist through graduation.

 

CUSD Seeking Scholarships

During National School Counseling Week, Compton Unified’s College & Career Department is calling on foundations, businesses, community organizations, and individuals to partner in the next decade of impact by supporting student scholarships.

Organizations and individuals interested in supporting scholarships can learn more at:
https://www.compton.k12.ca.us/departments/educational-services/college-and-career-readiness