A student alone in the Student Center lounge.

High School Students

Welcome to Taft College!

High school students may take college level courses that are transferable (courses number 1500 or higher). Acceptance is on a seats-available basis with permission from a parent/legal guardian and their high school principal. Students will receive college credit for the community college courses completed.

Arrangements for receiving high school credit for the course work must be made with the student’s respective high school. 

It is expected that all special admit students enrolling in Taft College courses have the maturity to participate on a college campus. No special arrangements for additional supervision of underage students are available. In a very small number of disciplines, course content may be frank in order to deal with scholarly discussion of behavioral, artistic, human, or other issues. 

Unlike public schools, colleges do not contact parents in advance to inform them of these matters. Parents are hereby notified that it is their responsibility to ensure that their child is able to handle the college environment, as well as the content of the course in which he/she enrolls. Although special admit students may be minors, Taft College adheres to the student privacy laws set forth by FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. 

Special admit students are entitled to all of the privacy rights of a college student; therefore, any information regarding attendance, grades, behavior, etc., cannot be shared with the parent or legal guardian without a signed release on file in the Admissions office.

Your Next Steps

  • Step 1: How to Enroll
    • Complete the online application for admissions to Taft College.
    • High School Special Admit (PDF).
    • The Special Admit Form must be filled out and signed by the student and the high school principal every semester regardless of whether the student gets into a class or not. Parent signature is only required when the student first begins as a special admit at Taft College and will remain in effect unless revoked in writing. If the student is home-schooled, they must provide verification that the home school program is recognized and approved by the county department of education.
    • Students must reapply for admission after a break in attendance for one semester.
  • Step 2: Complete Orientation
    Complete the online orientation. You will use the student ID number given to you when you completed your admissions application.
  • Step 3: Registration of Classes
    • Students will be registered by the Admissions and Records Office for the courses listed on their form during open registration. Students can refer to the priority registration schedule each semester to determine the open registration time period.
    • Special admit students may not enroll in any courses numbered below 1500.
    • There is an 11-unit maximum limit per semester; nine-unit maximum limit for summer semester.
    • In accordance with SB338, enrollment in physical education courses have been restricted or excluded.
    • Special admit students are eligible for membership in groups/clubs; however, membership does not change registration priority for enrollment purposes.
  • Step 4: Pay Enrollment Fees

    Special admit high school students WILL PAY the same enrollment fee as any other regular community college student per California Education Code 76300. Non-resident students must complete a residency questionnaire and provide proof of California residency; otherwise, non-resident tuition fees will apply. Contact Admissions for further information at (661)763-7741.

    Exceptions: California Public High school students are exempt from enrollment fees. 

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