The Monterey Peninsula Unified School District and Monterey Peninsula College have renewed their college and career access pathways agreement, expanding dual enrollment opportunities for high school students across the district. Through this partnership, students can earn college credit, and even complete an associate degree, while still in high school.
“This partnership ensures our students have direct access to high-quality college courses and career pathways as early as middle school,” said Cresta McIntosh, Associate Superintendent of Educational Services at MPUSD. “It’s about equity, opportunity, and preparing students for what comes next.”
“This partnership represents what is possible when higher education and K-12 truly collaborate to center students,” said Dr. Jessie Betancourt, Director of Dual Enrollment and K-12 Partnerships at Monterey Peninsula College. “Our shared goal is to ensure every student, regardless of background, sees college as not just a dream but an achievable reality. By aligning our pathways and supports, we’re opening doors earlier and helping students build the confidence, skills, and momentum to succeed in college and beyond.”
Pathways and Courses
Students across the district can now choose from a wide variety of courses, including:
- Monterey High: Theatre Arts, Kinesiology, Business, English, and Spanish
- Seaside High: Allied Health, Graphic Design, Psychology, Spanish, English, Math, Communications, US History
- Marina High: English, Math, Mexican-American & Chicano Art, World History, US History, Spanish, Psychology, Communications
- Central Coast High: Counseling
- Los Arboles Middle: Early access to Counseling courses
- Districtwide: MPC Online Academy courses such as Ethnic Studies, Environmental Science, and American Government
By the Numbers
- More than 1,000 enrollments expected in 2025–2026
- 640 at Monterey High
- 371 at Seaside High
- 288 at Marina High
- 42 at Los Arboles Middle
Since 2020, 38 students have earned IGETC certifications (meeting UC/CSU general ed requirements) and 26 have completed associate degrees before high school graduation.
Expanding Access for Middle School Students
For the first time, MPUSD is exploring early college access for middle school students through a separate College and Career Access Pathways (CCAP) opportunity. Los Arboles Middle School will pilot early access to counseling courses, giving students a head start on exploring college-level learning and career exploration.
New Courses at Continuation School
"Dual enrollment will help me finish college in fewer years, so I wanted to take it to get extra credits for college," said Jozsef Carranza Ishak. "I’ve enjoyed the way we learn, the topics we cover, and our class discussions. One of the highlights was learning about different learning styles, visual, tactile, and auditory. After taking a test, I learned I’m mostly a tactile learner, which helped me understand how I learn best, like where to sit in class and how helpful it is when teachers draw things out."
“We are thrilled to announce the first dual enrollment course at Central Coast High School,” said Rebecca Tyson, Principal, Central Coast High School. “This milestone has been made possible by the vision and dedication of our school counselor, Jason Green, who will also be teaching the class. His commitment has opened the door for our students to experience the rigor and reward of college-level learning while still in high school. Offering dual enrollment affirms our belief that our students are fully capable of succeeding in higher education. This is an exciting step forward in creating opportunities that prepare our students for bright futures.”
Early College High School on the Horizon
MPUSD and MPC have received grant funding to implement Early College High School programs at Seaside and Marina High beginning in fall 2026. These innovative programs will allow students to complete an associate degree or industry-recognized certificate while still in high school, giving them a powerful head start on college and career goals. The focus will be on high-demand and high-wage fields, such as allied health, computer science, and engineering, aligning classroom learning with real-world career pathways. By embedding college coursework into the high school experience, MPUSD and MPC are removing barriers, increasing access, and accelerating student success from day one.
Outreach and Equity
To ensure every student has access, outreach includes parent nights, college fairs, campus tours, and workshops like “Join the Pack” at MPC, which helps seniors transition seamlessly to college.
“This is a powerful, future-focused collaboration that directly supports student success,” said Dr. Jon Knolle, Vice President of Academic Affairs at MPC. “Together, we are building college-going identities and opening doors to meaningful careers.”