APPLE VALLEY – Six San Bernardino County school districts have signed an agreement with Cal State San Bernardino on September 24 guaranteeing admission for qualified high school graduates.

The university, along with the Apple Valley Unified, Victor Valley Union High, Chaffey Joint Union High, Fontana Unified, San Bernardino City Unified, and Rim of the World Unified school districts, signed a memorandum of understanding establishing the program.

The initiative allows Cal State San Bernardino to offer admission to qualifying students before they submit an application. 

Students who meet the requirements — a minimum 2.5 GPA and 15 required courses in math, science, history, English, visual and performing arts, and a foreign language — will receive notification of their eligibility. 

They must still complete an application and submit the necessary paperwork to finalize admission.

“For many of us it’s not just about getting accepted into college, but finding a place where we can grow and succeed. CSUSB provides exactly that,” said AVHS Senior and ASB Line President Efi Avila.

Along with the guaranteed admission, Apple Valley High School is also adding three new college-level courses that students can take on the high school campus. 

Avila said these courses are a unique way to experience college-level learning, preparing students for the next step while still getting support from the high school environment.

Students will begin receiving postcards

A pilot project at 10 Cal State campuses, including San Bernardino, streamlined admissions and led to a 40% rise in applications and a 28% increase in enrollment from Riverside County students last year.

This October, students in the six participating districts will begin receiving postcards or electronic notifications confirming their eligibility. 

The approach aims to ease admissions stress, reduce barriers, and give students more time to prepare financially and academically for college.

San Bernardino County’s college-going rate is 53.9% for public high school completers in 2021/22, below the statewide rate of 62.0%.