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Bellflower USD

Secondary Education · Future Ready

College & Career Readiness

Future Ready is an initiative of Bellflower Unified’s Secondary Education Department. It makes planning information easier to find as students map a path through high school and beyond.

Four years, in order

What to work on in grades 9–12

The sequence matters: each year builds on the one before it. Site counselors will tailor this to the student’s plan.

Upcoming Events

Join us for Webinar Wednesdays! All virtual offerings beginning Fall 2026. These presentations will be recorded.

Stay tuned!

Grade 9 · Explore

  • Meet your school counselor and learn how A–G courses add up to UC/CSU eligibility.
  • Browse Career Technical Education options. BUSD offers 20 CTE pathways.
  • Create or confirm a CaliforniaColleges.edu account.

Grade 10 · Build

  • Stay on track in A–G. Ask about honors, AP, or dual enrollment if they fit.
  • Deepen a CTE pathway or try a new career interest.

Grade 11 · Focus

  • Build a college and career list. Visit campuses when you can — including regional fairs.
  • Ask your counselor about AP exams, dual enrollment, and letters of recommendation timing.

Grade 12 · Apply

  • Submit applications and file financial aid (FAFSA or CA Dream Act) by the posted deadlines.
  • Compare aid offers, confirm enrollment, and finish A–G and graduation requirements.

Tools, not a menu you have to finish

Programs that support the plan

These are district and state programs families already see on BUSD pages. Use what fits the student — they are not a ranked list.

  • A–G requirements

    The course pattern UC and CSU use to review freshman eligibility. BUSD graduation requirements and A–G are published together.

    Graduation and A–G requirements (opens in a new tab)

  • Career Technical Education

    Pathways that connect classroom learning with industry skills and authentic projects. The district currently lists 20 CTE pathways.

    Career Technical Education (opens in a new tab)

  • Dual enrollment & early college

    Opportunities to earn college credit while in high school through approved college courses.

  • Advanced Placement

    College-level courses taught on the high school campus, with an optional AP Exam in the spring.

    AP Exams (opens in a new tab)

  • AVID

    Research-based strategies, tutorials, and a schoolwide focus on writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization, and reading.

  • California Colleges Guidance Initiative

    Tools that support academic planning, applications, and long-term goal setting. Student accounts live at CaliforniaColleges.edu.

    CaliforniaColleges.edu (opens in a new tab)

Money for college

Paying for college

Start with the application that matches the student’s status. Deadlines move — confirm dates each year before you file. A Financial Aid 101 session was offered in January 2026; watch for the next Webinar Wednesday.

Talk to a person

Start with your school counselor or College & Career Center

If you have questions about course requests, college lists, or financial aid, please check in with a school counselor and/or visit your school’s College & Career Center.

For support from the District College & Career Readiness Office, please reach out to:

Gil Castañeda Jr
Director, College & Career Readiness
562-866-9011 ext. 2015
gcastaneda@busd.k12.ca.us
Kristin Jones-Manning
College & Career Readiness Counselor on Special Assignment
562-866-9011 ext. 2099
kristinjones@busd.k12.ca.us
Email College & Career Readiness Secondary Education (opens in a new tab)