Q: What is Credit by Exam (CBE)?

A: CBE lets students in certain CCTE classes earn college credit by passing an exam (or portfolio requirement) at the end of the course. It shows they’ve mastered skills equal to what a college student would learn.

Q: What is CCAP?

A: CCAP stands for College and Career Access Pathways. It’s a partnership between San Diego Unified and the San Diego Community College District. It allows high school students to take college courses for free on their high school campus.

Q: Is this real college credit?

A: Yes! Students earn real college credit through Credit by Exam (CBE), CCAP classes, and other dual enrollment options. These credits are issued by local community colleges like San Diego City, Mesa, or Miramar College and appear on a college transcript. They can count toward a degree or certificate after high school.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: It’s free! There are no tuition or textbook costs for students enrolled in CCAP or CBE. These are early college opportunities designed to save families money and help students get ahead.

Q: Will these classes count for high school too?

A: Yes. Most early college credit opportunities offer dual credit, meaning they count toward both high school graduation and college requirements.

Q: What kinds of classes can students take?

A: Students can take college-level courses in areas like business, digital media, healthcare, child development, computer science, and more. Many are part of CCTE pathways, while others are general education courses offered through CCAP or concurrent enrollment.

Q: Do students have to go to a college campus?

A: Not always.

• CCAP courses happen at high school campuses during the school day.

• CBE happens in high school CCTE classes.

• Concurrent enrollment may take place at a college campus or online, often after school or in summer.
  
  

Q: What if my student is the first in our family to go to college?

A: That’s okay! These programs are designed to support all students, especially those who are new to college systems. Teachers, counselors, and college staff are here to help every step of the way.

Q: Is Jeffrey Thomas (jthomas1@sandi.net) a real person?

A: Yes, Jeffrey Thomas is a real person in the CCTE office and is part of the team supporting Credit By Exam and the community college enrollment process for SDUSD students. Jeff sends out a lot regular reminders and updates through an automated email system to ensure students complete all CBE enrollment steps. While those emails are automated, if you reply to any of them your message will go directly to Jeff and he will respond. He also happens to be a big Star Wars fan, so feel free to ask him about that too. And remember, any member of the CCTE Team is happy to help. You can find our email addresses on the Contact page in the Main Menu.