Compton To Catalina Program's Two New Partners

El Camino (Compton) Community College

and

Compton High School

have agreed to partner with the Center as a participant in our Compton To Catalina Program.  Center President Norris McDonald met with El Camino College Dean of Students Ricky Shabazz and Compton High School Principal Dr. Letitia T. Bradley on Thursday, May 30, 2013 to discuss the program.

The Center looks forward to providing students from these two leading institutions in Compton with trips to the island.  Other partners include Greater Union Baptist Church and the California Center for Economic Initiatives. The Compton To Catalina Program is funded by Southern California Edison

El Camino College, the former Compton Community College, was established in 1927 as a

Norris McDonald at El Camino College

component of the Compton Union High School District. In 1950, voters approved a bond issue separating the college from the high school district. The new college campus was then constructed at the present site. After many successful years, and several challenging years, in June 2005 the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges announced its decision to revoke Compton Colleges accreditation.  In August 2006, the El Camino Community College District Board of Trustees approved a Memorandum of Understanding to provide educational and related support services to the Compton Community College District residents.

El Camino College provides accredited instructional and related support to meet the needs of Compton Center students. El Camino College courses are taught at El Camino College Compton Center by Compton faculty.  Administration at Compton Center is led by the Superintendent/President of El Camino College. The Vice President, Compton Center, oversees the daily operations at El Camino College Compton Center.

Through the agreement, residents of the Compton Community College District continue to have access to university transfer and career and technical education opportunities, as well as financial aid, basic skills courses and related support services, right in their own neighborhood.

El Camino College Compton Center has five academic divisions which include many academic programs. Each division offers a comprehensive transfer, degree or certificate program. Compton Center offers transfer majors for students planning to transfer to a university or professional school. They also offer an extensive list of certificate programs in addition to A.A. and A.S. degrees. Their faculty members are experts in their field - all have master's degrees or equivalent. They are dedicated to student success and classroom teaching - no graduate assistants or aides teach classes.

Compton High School (CHS) is one of three (3) comprehensive high schools in the

Norris McDonald at Compton High School

Compton Unified School District (CUSD). Compton High School has a student population of approximately 2,500 students and over 175 staff members (100 certified and 75 classified). CHS is located in downtown Compton just south of the Compton City Government Offices and Courthouse Complex.

Compton High School consists of a Main Administration Building and ten (10) satellite buildings that include 83 regular classrooms, 6 science lab classrooms, 5 computer classrooms, and one multi-purpose room.  It graduated its first class in 1898. From 1898 to 1901 the student enrollment was 153 students. In 1996 Compton High School celebrated its rich 100-year history of academic and athletic excellence along with its diverse population. (El Camino College Compton Center, Compton High School)