Cerritos College

Cerritos College stands as a vital public community college, serving over 22,731 students as a cornerstone of education in Southern California. Located in a dynamic region, it provides accessible and quality learning opportunities, fostering growth and preparing students for the next steps in their academic and professional journeys.

Founded in 1955, Cerritos College boasts a rich history intertwined with the local landscape. Its name honors the historic Rancho Los Cerritos, a prominent 19th-century ranch. In a fascinating turn, the college's establishment even inspired the renaming of the neighboring city of Dairy Valley to Cerritos, cementing its place in the region's identity. Initially, classes began in rented classrooms at Excelsior High School in September 1956 before the institution successfully secured its dedicated educational site in 1957, eventually moving to its permanent campus in September 1959.

The college's influence extends far, with its district encompassing a broad array of communities including Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, Downey, Norwalk, La Mirada, and Hawaiian Gardens. As a public community college, Cerritos College is a key educational hub for these areas, providing accessible higher education options to its extensive student body and contributing significantly to the local community's intellectual and economic development.