Rio Hondo College

Río Hondo College is a public community college in Whittier, California. The college is named after the Rio Hondo. Founded in 1960, it mainly serves the cities of Whittier, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, El Monte, and South El Monte. Río Hondo College offers 30 associate degrees for transfer that guarantee transfer to California State Universities, 60 associate degrees and 127 certificates. Rio Hondo offers on-campus, online, and off-campus courses to all of its students. It is the first community college in California offering a bachelor's degree in Automotive Technology. Rio Hondo also offers a Pathway to Law School program to one of six top California law schools. It is accredited by Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges. Aside from its academic programs, the college is also home to Rio Hondo Fire Academy, Rio Hondo Wildland Fire Academy, EMT Program, and Rio Hondo Police Academy. History Rio Hondo College District was established in October 1960, encompassing the boundaries of Whittier Union High School District. As it expanded to include the El Rancho Unified and El Monte Union High School Districts, it established a board of trustees in April 1962. In May 1963, the board named the proposed community college Rio Hondo, named after the neighbouring Rio Hondo River. While voters in the district approved a US$12 million to build Rio Hondo College in October 1963, classes were temporarily conducted at Sierra and El Rancho High Schools. The present campus, off Workman Mill Road, was opened for classes in Fall 1966.