The Dual Enrollment Program introduced two new courses to students for the 2024-25 school year; Hospitality and Restaurant Management and Real Estate.
The program was created from the partnership between Walnut High and Mount San Antonio College (Mt. SAC). Students above the 10th grade can take courses taught by college professors, receiving high school and college credit.
“I think there’s a lot of growth and maturity that develops within our students,” instructional dean Nelson Chen said. “Students gain an understanding of how to balance and communicate with not just high school teachers, but professors from a collegiate level.”
The process behind choosing the courses taught in dual enrollment starts with collecting student surveys. Mt. SAC works with several high schools around the area and through requests determined that culinary arts, hospitality, restaurant management and real estate were popular course options. Other factors that determine the classes chosen are community demographics and current trends.
“Introduction to Hospitality provides students an overview of the structure and financial performance of the hospitality industry; food and lodging, resorts, tourism enterprises, attractions, and related operations,” professor Mariasol Diaz-Gomez said. “Students will be able to put into practice the lessons learned from these projects as they embark on applying for colleges, universities, and/or part-time jobs.”
Besides the main courses such as English, History, Math and Science, Walnut has been putting its focus on more career-related classes. Currently, it offers three career technical education (CTE) pathways: the business pathway, nursing pathway and sports medicine pathway. Along with the dual enrollment classes, students can gain industry standard certifications. Walnut is also working towards creating a partnership with California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona), which includes a hospitality and management program.
“When [our students] finish at Walnut, they can have an easy transition to Cal Poly Pomona, or they can have an easy transition to Mt. SAC to finish up their associate’s degree, and then go to a four-year university,” Chen said.
This is the school’s fifth year partnering with Mt. SAC and the dual enrollment programs serve as an important stepping stone for students as they get an early start on understanding college expectations and standards.
“We’re trying to reeducate our community, as well as our staff and [grade level coordinators], so when they start to promote and advertise and talk to the students, they can see the full benefits of just trying something new,” Chen said. “I think it’s a great opportunity because you know how important your education is, and if you can take advantage of these [classes], then go for it.”
